Researchers have discovered alarming levels of erectile dysfunction drugs, including sildenafil and tadalafil, mixed into products marketed as 'organic aphrodisiac honey.' These adulterated products are being sold as food items to unsuspecting consumers, according to a study published in the journal Molecules.
Medical experts in the U.S. have raised concerns about these products, which are often advertised on social media platforms. While the honey is widely available, the study's authors warn that consuming it could lead to severe health issues. Historically, honey has been recognized for its vitality-boosting properties and used as a sexual stimulant for centuries. However, the unauthorized addition of PDE-5 inhibitors transforms these products into a potential health hazard.
The adulteration affects various honey-based products, including honey paste, honey sticks, and food supplements. In some instances, the daily recommended dose of a sachet of honey-based product contained a dose of sildenafil twice the highest recommended daily amount. Researchers from the University of Warmia and Mazury in Olsztyn, Poland, have called for stricter regulations on these 'aphrodisiac honeys,' emphasizing the extreme danger posed by the unknown effectiveness and toxic effects of PDE-5 inhibitors in food.
Experts highlight that men with erectile dysfunction may already be taking supplements, and the undisclosed presence of these drugs in honey could lead to dangerous interactions. Consuming both the contaminated honey and alcohol could result in a perilous drop in blood pressure, potentially causing users to pass out.
"Honey has a reputation of being a wholesome and health giving natural product so it can be taken advantage of," noted Professor Francis Ratnieks, emeritus professor of apiculture at Sussex University.