THE EFFECTS OF HONEY SOLUTION BEFORE MAXIMAL AEROBIC EXERCISE ON IMMUNE RESPONES IN ACTIVE YOUNG MEN

We investigated the effects of honey consumption before maximal aerobic exercise on the immune response in active young men. Twenty seven active men (age: 22.26±3.68yr and VO2 max: 49/11± 4.75ml.kg-1.min-1) volunteered in this study. Subjects were randomly divided into honey (n=9), placebo (n=9) and control (n=9) groups. In a double blind study subjects consumed 12% honey (5cc/body weight) (honey group) or placebo (placebo group). For investigating the variation of blood leucocytes, subjects in honey and placebo groups participated in maximal aerobic exercise test (cooper test). Blood samples were taken at baseline (before ingesting honey or placebo), immediately, and 2 hours after exercise. The present study indicates that aerobic exercise in honey group has significant effect on blood leucocytes, lymphocytes, and neutrophils. However, increased levels of leucocytes in immediately post-exercise (p=0.001) significantly decreased in 2 hr-post-exercise (p=0.004). This data indicates that consumption of honey before maximal aerobic exercise can improve the immune system function of active young men.