Enzymes in honey – What do they do?
Three enzymes are important in honey produced by bees:
- Invertase
- Diastase or amylase
- Glucose oxidase
Invertase is an enzyme contained in honey that bees make during honey production and add to honey through their saliva. Invertase breaks down sucrose into glucose and fructose.
Diastase (amylase) breaks down starch into malt sugar. Both are considered digestive enzymes and promote healthy digestion. The enzyme glucose oxidase converts glucose in honey and releases the antibacterial hydrogen peroxide.
Enzyme-rich honey is particularly healthy. This is because the enzymes accelerate biological processes in our body. They are important for energy supply and digestion.