Gluten is a protein found in grains like wheat, barley, and rye. For people with celiac disease or gluten sensitivity, consuming gluten can cause negative health effects. Honeycomb, the wax structure that honeybees build to store honey, is made from beeswax – not grains. So, honeycomb itself does not contain gluten.
What is gluten and why must some people avoid it?
Gluten is a general name for the proteins found in wheat (gliadin), barley (hordein), rye (secalin), and related grains like triticale. The two main proteins in gluten are glutenin and gliadin. Gluten provides elasticity and structure to products made from these grains, like breads and baked goods.
For most people, gluten does not cause any issues or negative health effects. However, for those with celiac disease or non-celiac gluten sensitivity, consuming gluten can trigger the immune system and cause damage to the small intestine. This can lead to symptoms like diarrhea, bloating, fatigue, and nutritional deficiencies. Celiac disease is an autoimmune disorder that affects around 1% of the population. Non-celiac gluten sensitivity may affect up to 13% of the population.
The only treatment for celiac disease is following a strict gluten-free diet, avoiding any foods that contain gluten. This includes avoiding obvious sources like bread, pasta, and baked goods made with wheat, barley, or rye. It also includes monitoring less obvious sources like sauces, soups, seasoned rice mixes, and other processed foods for gluten-containing ingredients.
Honeycomb is made by honeybees and composed of beeswax
Honeycomb is the wax structure built by honeybees to store honey and pollen. The bees secrete beeswax from glands on their abdomen and use it to build the familiar hexagonal comb. The comb provides structural support for the hive and cells to contain honey, pollen, and developing bee larvae.
Beeswax is composed primarily of fatty acids, monoesters, hydrocarbons, and fatty alcohols. It does not contain any grains or gluten. The bees gather nectar and pollen from flowering plants and trees – not grains. So there is no scientific way for gluten to end up present in beeswax.
The honeycomb construction process
Here is an overview of how worker honeybees construct honeycomb:
- Bees secrete liquid beeswax from wax glands on their abdomen.
- The wax starts as scales, which are layered into hexagonal cells.
- The cells are angled slightly up to prevent honey from spilling out.
- The bees fan the wax to accelerate hardening.
- The wax hardens into comb composed completely of hexagonal cells.
This natural process relies solely on beeswax straight from the bees themselves. No grains, gluten, or other additives are introduced in making honeycomb.
Honeycomb honey is 100% gluten-free
Because honeycomb is made entirely from beeswax by honeybees, the resulting honeycomb and honey stored within it is completely gluten-free. Bees make honey by collecting nectar from flower blossoms – not grains.
However, there are some important considerations for those following a gluten-free diet when it comes to honeycomb honey:
- Look for raw, minimally processed honeycomb. This ensures no additional ingredients have been introduced.
- Avoid flavored honeycomb products. Added natural flavors or synthetics may contain gluten.
- Purchase honeycomb from trusted local producers. This provides transparency on their processes.
- Contact the honey producer if you have any doubt about gluten exposure during harvesting, processing, or packaging.
With minimal processing and no chances for cross-contamination, raw honeycomb honey straight from the hive is a gluten-free treat.
Nutritional profile of honeycomb
Honeycomb itself is made up entirely of beeswax, so it contains no significant nutritional value. However, the honey contained within the wax cells is rich in nutrients. Here is an overview of the nutritional profile of raw honeycomb honey:
| Nutrient | Per 1 oz (28g) serving |
|---|---|
| Calories | 64 |
| Carbs | 17g |
| Sugars | 16g |
| Calcium | 1% DV |
| Iron | 1% DV |
| Potassium | 1% DV |
Honeycomb honey contains small amounts of nutrients like calcium, iron, potassium, and B vitamins. It is an excellent source of natural sugars and carbohydrates.
Uses for honeycomb
The uses for honeycomb focus mainly on the delicious honey contained within. Here are some of the most popular ways to enjoy this unique product:
- Raw comb honey – Chew the raw wax comb for a chewy and sweet experience. The comb is entirely edible.
- Spread on toast – Drizzle the honeycomb over toast, biscuits, yogurt, or oatmeal. The comb adds texture.
- Natural sweetener – Use honeycomb in tea, baked goods, salad dressings, marinades, and other recipes needing sweetness.
- Wound care – Historically used for wound healing. The antibacterial properties help prevent infection.
- Crafts – Melt down the empty wax comb for candle or beauty product making.
The applications focus on the unique taste and texture of the honey and beeswax combo. Honeycomb can provide a nutritional boost to many gluten-free foods and beverages.
Is all beeswax or honeycomb gluten-free?
In its pure, natural form, beeswax and honeycomb contain no gluten. However, some products on the market add gluten-containing ingredients to beeswax or honeycomb.
Examples include:
- Flavored honeycomb with added wheat-sourced natural flavors
- Beeswax candles with gluten-containing fragrance oils
- Cosmetic products using impure beeswax with gluten exposures
When purchasing honeycomb or beeswax products, check the ingredients list and ask manufacturers about any gluten exposures during processing. Pure, raw honeycomb direct from beekeepers is reliably gluten-free.
Risk of cross-contamination
There is minimal risk of gluten cross-contamination when harvesting and handling honeycomb:
- Hives and extraction equipment only contact beeswax and honey
- Processing facilities focus solely on beeswax and honey products
- Bees source nectar from flowers, not grain fields
- No shared equipment with grain processing
However, some facilities may handle multiple products, so checking with your honeycomb source is the best way to verify gluten-free status.
Bottom line
When you get right down to it, the answer is no – there is no gluten in pure, raw honeycomb. Honeycomb is made entirely from beeswax by honeybees and is free of any grains. While the honeycomb itself has no nutritional value, the honey contained within offers vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, and a delicious sweet taste. Honeycomb and the honey within are safe and suitable for a gluten-free diet when sourced responsibly.
