Top 10 Health Benefits of Honey
Look closely inside any bee hive, and you will find an army of bees working in unison to create a sweet, sweet thing: honey. Not only is honey a wonderful natural sweetener, but some amazing health benefits can be gained from incorporating raw honey into your diet.
Honey, also known as “food of the gods”, or “liquid gold” is one of the most nutritious ingredients. The topical use of honey has a long history. It is considered one of the oldest known wound dressings. Honey was used by the ancient Greek physician Dioscorides in 50 A.D. for sunburn and infected wounds. Honey’s healing properties are mentioned in the Bible, Koran, and Torah.
Honey is a substance produced by bees from the nectar of plants. It is a true powerhouse of vitamins and minerals including certain amino acids, B6, niacin, riboflavin, pantothenic acid, calcium, zinc, copper, iron, potassium, magnesium, manganese, and phosphorus. Keep in mind that honey is high in calories and should be consumed in moderation. Always choose high-quality, local, and organic honey when possible.
The Benefits of Honey
Energy booster
The natural sugar content in raw honey is more helpful to the body than caffeine for boosting your energy level. It can boost athletes’ performance and endurance levels and reduce muscle fatigue. This is thanks to the perfect combination of glucose and fructose in honey.
Rich in antioxidants
Antioxidants present in honey can protect your body from inflammation. Honey helps you prevent a variety of health issues caused by inflammation such as heart diseases, and autoimmune disorders.
It’s a good alternative to sugar
Refined sugar is not good for the body, so if you want to add sweetness to your diet, honey is a better alternative.
Natural antiseptic
Honey has antibacterial effects and is included in many topical creams. It is effective at healing and treating some burns and wounds. With hydrogen peroxide, glucose oxidase, and a low pH level, honey can combat harmful bacteria and fungi.
Helps to get a good night’s sleep
Honey releases serotonin in the body — a neurotransmitter that improves mood and happiness. The body then converts serotonin into melatonin, a chemical compound that regulates the length and the quality of sleep.
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Acts as a Digestion Aid
Honey has long been known as a prebiotic, which means that it builds the good bacteria that already live in your intestines. Prebiotics work a bit like a fertilizer in that they ensure that good bacteria can grow in your digestive system.
Promotes Heart Health
Its antioxidants in honey can lower your blood pressure, improve your cholesterol levels, and reduce your risk of heart disease. Homey lower the ‘bad’ cholesterol and increase the ‘good’ cholesterol, and all are great for the heart!
It’s a cough killer
Because it can fight inflammation, honey has been used as a medicine to reduce coughing in those with the common cold. It’s also been proven that it can be just as effective as over-the-counter cough medicines.
Remove free radicals from the body
Honey contains tiny bits of pollen so it can help you to build up a resistance against pollen in the environment by producing antibodies, which over time could ultimately help alleviate the symptoms of pollen allergies.
Your skin and hair will love it
If you have a burn, rash, or skin wound, honey can miraculously speed the healing process. Also, if you’re experiencing hair loss due to dandruff, research shows that honey might be the answer to improving the condition of your scalp.
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Pro tip: If you’re going to consume honey, try to opt for raw honey which has not been filtered and pasteurized and has therefore not lost some of its nutritional value.
Needless to say, honey is much more than just a sticky substance made by bees. So, don’t take those honeybees for granted. Without them, we’d lose one of the most versatile and beneficial substances in the world.
There’s no denying the wide array of holistic health benefits that honey can provide, but make to consume it properly. Honey should not be given to infants under one year of age as they can’t digest it properly. Before you go squeezing honey onto every plate and into every cup, keep in mind that honey is sugar — honey, maple syrup, table sugar, and other naturally occurring sugars are used in the body as energy. However, if you suffer from any health ailments, do consult with your doctor before making honey a part of your diet.
Disclaimer: The article is just for informational purposes. And all information facts are the personal opinions of the author.
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