Honey is a sweet fl uid made by honeybees using the nectar of fl owering plants. There are about 320 diff erent varieties of honey, which vary in color, odor and fl avor. Loved worldwide for its sweetness and depth of fl avor, it is used in many foods and recipes. The smell, color, and taste of honey vary based on the type of fl owers it is made from, so there are countless varieties available. Honey has a number of potential health benefi ts and plays a role in many home remedies and alternative medicine treatments. Let us have a look at the unique health benefi ts of honey.
1.Contains a variety of nutrients Here is the list. Calories: 61 Fat: 0 grams Protein: 0 grams Carbs: 17 grams Fiber: 0 grams Ribofl avin: 1% of the Daily Value (DV) Copper: 1% of the DV Honey is essentially pure sugar, with no fat and only trace amounts of protein and fi ber. It contains small amounts of some nutrients, but most people typically don’t consume enough honey for it to be a signifi cant dietary source of vitamins and minerals. Still, it is worth noting that honey is rich in health-promoting plant compounds known as polyphenols.
2.Rich in antioxidants High quality honey — which is minimally processed, unheated, and fresh — contains many important bioactive plant compounds and antioxidants, such as fl avonoids and phenolic acids. Darker varieties tend to off er more antioxidants than lighter varieties . Antioxidants help neutralize reactive oxygen species (ROS) in your body, which can build up in cells and cause damage. This damage can contribute to conditions like premature aging, type 2 diabetes, and heart disease. As such, many of honey’s health benefi ts are attributed to its antioxidant content
3. Better for blood sugar levels than regular sugar When it comes to blood sugar management, honey may off er some slight benefi ts over regular sugar. Although honey raises your blood sugar level just like other types of sugar do, the antioxidants it contains may help protect against metabolic syndrome and type 2 diabetes. Researchers have found that honey may increase levels of adiponectin, a hormone that reduces infl ammation and improves blood sugar regulation. There’s also some evidence that daily honey intake may improve fasting blood sugar levels in people with type 2 diabetes. However, while honey may be slightly better than refi ned sugar for people with diabetes, it should still be consumed in moderation. It is also important to know that certain types of honey could be diluted with plain syrup. Although honey adulteration is illegal in most countries, it remains a widespread problem.
4. May improve heart health Honey may also help prevent heart disease. According to one review, honey may help lower blood pressure, improve blood fat levels, regulate your heartbeat, and prevent the death of healthy cells — all factors that can improve your heart function and health. One observational study including over 4,500 people over age 40 associated a moderate honey intake with a lower risk of high blood pressure among women. Plus, a study in rats promisingly showed that honey helped protect the heart from oxidative stress . Additionally, raw honey typically contains propolis, a type of resin that bees produce from sap[1]producing trees and similar plants. Propolis may improve cholesterol and triglyceride levels. All told, there’s no long-term human study available on honey and heart health. More research is needed to better understand honey’s eff ects on heart health.
5. Promotes burn and wound healing Topical honey treatment has been used to heal wounds and burns since ancient Egypt. The practice is still common today. A review of 26 studies on honey and wound care found it most eff ective at healing partial-thickness burns and wounds that have become infected after surgery. Honey is also an eff ective treatment for diabetes-related foot ulcers, which are serious complications that can lead to amputation. One study including people with diabetes-related foot ulcers reported a 43.3% success rate with honey as a wound treatment. In another study, topical honey healed an impressive 97% of participants’ diabetes-related ulcers. Researchers theorize that honey’s healing powers come from its antibacterial and anti[1]infl ammatory eff ects. What’s more, it may help treat other skin conditions including psoriasis and herpes lesions. Manuka honey is considered especially eff ective at treating burns. However, if you have a severe burn, you should seek medical attention immediately.
6. May help suppress coughing in children Coughing is a common problem for children with upper respiratory infections. These infections can aff ect sleep and quality of life for both children and parents. However, common cough medications are not always eff ective and can have side eff ects. Interestingly, honey may be a good alternative, with evidence indicating that it is an eff ective treatment option. One review of several studies on honey and cough in children found that honey appears to be more eff ective than diphenhydramine for cough symptoms. It may also help reduce cough duration. Another review noted that it may also improve sleep quality among children with coughs, as well as their parents. Further, unlike some cough medicines, honey doesn’t have any side eff ects. However, never give honey to children under 1 year of age due to the risk of botulism.
7. Easy to add to your diet Honey is easy to add to your diet. To get a small boost of antioxidants from honey, you can use it any way that you’d typically use sugar. It is excellent for sweetening plain yogurt, coff ee, or tea. You can also use it in cooking and baking. As a home remedy, it can be applied directly to minor burns or wounds or given orally for coughs. It is to be remembered that honey is not to be given to infants under 1 year of age due to the risk of botulism. Also, it has to be borne in mind that honey is a type of sugar, so consuming it will cause your blood sugar levels to rise. Plus, eating large quantities of honey, especially consistently over a long period, can contribute to weight gain and increase your risk of diseases like type 2 diabetes or heart disease. Therefore, stick to a low-to[1]moderate intake. Honey off ers several potential health benefi ts thanks to the benefi cial compounds it contains, such as antioxidants and propolis. It is a great alternative to sugar, but should only be consume in moderation, as it still behaves like sugar in your body.
