Honey is an ingredient in many nutritional health supplements and has also been shown to have antioxidant properties.

Now, scientists are suggesting that the sweet treat could also be effective at treating chronic sinusitis, which affects tens of millions of Americans each year.

The condition begins when mucous membranes in the sinuses become inflamed. Eventually, the fluid builds up and plugs the sinus cavity, which can result in breathing problems, headaches and pain behind the eyes.

New research presented at the annual meeting of the American Academy of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery Foundation claims that honey can be effective at killing drug-resistant bacteria present in chronic sinus infections.

A Canadian team at the University of Ottawa tested the ability of manuka and sidr honey to attack bacteria that was growing in a biofilm – a thin layer created when bacteria is resistant to antibiotics.

They found that honey was effective at killing even the most resistant bacteria.

A 2007 study conducted at the University of Nebraska concluded that antibiotics were being overprescribed to treat chronic sinusitis.