Abstract
Background: Prediabetes manifesting impaired glucose tolerance is a risk state that has potential to develop in type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease (CVD). Hyperglycaemia and haematological parameters are reported to have significant association. Low glycaemic index foods help in alleviating hyperglycemia. Arhar Honey (Cajanus cajan) being low glycaemic index (GI) natural food may possibly maintain normal haematological parameters in prediabetic sate.
Aims and Objectives: This study compared effect of honey administration on haematological indices of pre-diabetic and non-diabetics subjects.
Materials and Methods: Sixty individuals in the age group of 40-60 years were subjected to an oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) and were categorized as individuals exhibiting normal glucose tolerance or non-diabetic (n=30) and individuals having impaired glucose tolerance or prediabetic (n=30) using WHO criteria. The subjects in both the groups were administered with 70 gms of honey on empty stomach for a duration of 60 days and its effect on FBG, HbA1c and hematological parameters viz. hemoglobin (Hb), red blood cell count (RBC), packed cell volume (PVC), mean corpuscular volume (MCV), mean corpuscular hemoglobin (MCH), and mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration (MCHC) was measured.
Results: A remarkable improvement (p<0.01) in Hb and RBC was demonstrated in non-diabetic as well as prediabetic group and a significantly high modulating effect of honey was observed on PCV value in prediabetic group as compared to non-diabetic group.
Conclusion: Administration of Arhar honey for a period of 60 days improved selected hematological indices in non-diabetic and prediabetic subjects.

Key words: Natural food, honey, glycemic control, haematological parameters, cardiovascular risk