Although honey is not about to usurp antibiotics, Dr Simon thinks it should be brought back into conventional medicine and not only to sugar the pill.

ECONOMIST: Honey may help in the battle against superbugs

The contrast was as great as the difference between taking a cholesterol drug and a sugar pill, says Eric Topol, chief academic officer of the Cleveland Clinic.

FORBES: Bristol Study Proves Rival Drug Better

This study randomly divided patients into two groups - one received the antibiotic and the other was given a placebo, an inert treatment in the form of a sugar pill, three times a day for seven days.

BBC: Antibiotics 'ineffective for coughs'

But the sugar industry argued this change would be a bitter pill for US consumers and would only add to the confusion about a sweetener that has drawn criticism by some health advocates.

FORBES: Big Corn's HFCS v. Big Sugar's Sucrose: Maybe Both Could Lose?

Overall, the side effects of Januvia were similar to those of a sugar pill.

FORBES: Diabetes Duel

Half were given a sugar pill for four months followed by 20 milligrams of Zocor--the usual starting dose.

FORBES: Cholesterol Study Poses Dangers For Merck

The researchers found that the drugs did have a positive impact on people with mild depression - but the effect was no bigger than that achieved by giving patients a sugar-coated "dummy" pill.

BBC: RELATED BBC SITES

In the WHI study, tens of thousands of patients were randomly assigned to either take Prempro or a sugar pill.

FORBES: Magazine Article