How does honey, being so high in sugar, have antibacterial properties?

Question

A lump full of sugar sounds like bacterial heaven to me.

Edit: the question seems to be solved, thank you for all of your answers!

In: 5

Answer 1

Bacteria need sugar dissolved in water. Honey, however, is 80% various sugars and less than 20% water. This concentration of sugar draws water out of the bacteria that come into contact with it through osmosis, thus killing them.