10 Amazing Health Benefits of Honey
Honey has been shown to be a natural remedy for many illnesses, dietary conditions, dermatological issues and bacterial infections. The numerous benefits of honey cannot be overemphasized. It is a natural sweetener, a sore-throat soother and a natural energy booster. It also contains vitamins, minerals and antioxidants. It is a complex mixture of sugars (mainly fructose and glucose) and water, with small amounts of other sugars, carbohydrates and a variety of vitamins and minerals. It also has some phenolic acids and flavonoids
1. Honey is a Natural Sweetener
Honey is a natural sweetener that can be stirred into tea or poured over granola. It has a lower glycemic index than sugar and contains vitamins, minerals and amino acids. It also has antioxidant properties that can help bolster your immune system, as well as phytochemicals such as flavonoids and phenolic compounds.
It has long been used in traditional medicine to treat coughing, indigestion and sore throats. Its demulcent properties soothe a dry cough and its syrupy consistency coats the throat, helping reduce irritation and discomfort. It can also be taken to relieve mild nausea, as it acts as a soothing agent in the stomach. Moreover, it is an excellent choice to help prevent allergies, as it contains trace amounts of local pollen that can desensitize your immune system. However, you should not give honey to infants because it may contain Clostridium botulinum spores that can cause serious infant botulism.
2. Honey is a Natural Antibiotic
One of the benefits of honey is that it has been used as a natural antibiotic since ancient times. It has been shown to have antibacterial, antifungal and anti-inflammatory properties.
It also helps reduce the occurrence of cold and flu symptoms. It can be added to foods to help prevent the onset of these symptoms, especially in children.
Raw honey is the most potent form of honey and contains bee propolis and bee pollen, which contain natural antibiotics. It is important to consume honey in moderation because it is a high-calorie sweetener, but it can be an excellent substitute for sugar when eating a healthy diet. It also has a low glycemic index, which means it won’t cause a spike in blood sugar levels. It also has antioxidants, which can protect the body from damage. It is also a good substitute for synthetic antibiotics that can lead to antibiotic resistance.
3. It is a Natural Antiseptic
Honey is one of the most remarkable gifts of nature that has been used since ancient times to treat a variety of conditions and illnesses. According to research, it inhibits bacteria growth and prevents wound infections and has been found effective in treating stubborn chronic wounds that don’t heal.
The antimicrobial properties of honey are due to its high osmolarity and acidity (low pH) that trigger the enzyme glucose oxidase to generate hydrogen peroxide. It also contains polyphenolic compounds like gallic acid, syringic acid, ellagic acid, catechin, quercetin, kaempferol, luteolin and isorhamnetin that are known to exert antioxidant, antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory and antiproliferative activities.
Honey is an effective natural remedy for eczema and can be used to treat red itchy, flaky skin by applying it directly onto the affected area. It also works as a mild laxative and helps relieve constipation, bloating and gas.
4. Honey has Anti-Inflammatory Properties
Honey has antioxidant properties, which help to reduce oxidative stress in the body by mopping up free radicals. This can help to prevent a wide variety of chronic health conditions, including cancer and rheumatoid arthritis.
The antioxidants in honey also protect the immune system from inflammation. This may explain why it can be effective in treating asthma. In addition, it may be helpful in reducing the severity of coughs and sore throats.
However, if you want to reap these benefits, make sure to use raw honey. Pasteurized honey has been shown to lose many of its antioxidant properties. Also, never feed young children honey, as it may contain dormant clostridium botulinum bacterial spores that can cause infant botulism food poisoning. It is recommended that you talk with your doctor before using honey as a treatment for any condition.
5. Honey is a Natural Antibacterial Agent
Honey is a natural antibiotic that has been used for thousands of years to treat wounds and infections. It has also been shown to be effective against a variety of pathogens, including bacteria, viruses, and fungi.
Several factors contribute to honey’s antimicrobial properties, including hydrogen peroxide, methylglyoxal, bee defensin-1, and flavonoids. Honey’s low pH (3.3) also contributes to its antibacterial activity by causing hypertonic conditions that lead to the lysis of bacteria cells.
Many people are worried about the overuse of antibiotics, which has resulted in the development of resistant strains of bacteria. Fortunately, honey has natural antibiotic properties that are effective against resistant strains of bacteria. It is also less likely to cause side effects than chemically produced antibiotics.
6. Honey has Proven to be the Best Natural Antioxidant
Honey is a natural antioxidant that helps protect the body from oxidative damage. This is because it contains phenolic compounds, flavonoids, and antioxidant enzymes. It also has a low glycemic index and can help enhance insulin sensitivity.
In addition, it can also reduce symptoms of allergies. However, you must choose the right type of honey to get this benefit. Raw honey may contain allergens that can trigger reactions in sensitive individuals.
Traditionally, people have used honey to treat eye diseases, bronchial asthma, throat infections, tuberculosis, thirst, hiccups, fatigue, constipation, and worm infestation. But modern scientific research has not been able to support many of these claims. Still, researchers are studying the effects of honey on health. They are finding that it has antimicrobial, antioxidant, and antiproliferative properties. It can also prevent inflammatory conditions and reduce cancer risk.
7. It has Diuretic Properties
Honey contains phenolic acids and flavonoids, which have been shown to exert antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antiproliferative and anticancer effects. The amount and variety of these bioactive plant compounds can vary depending on the floral source, climatic conditions and geographical region. The polyphenols galangin, quercetin, kaempferol, isorhamnetin and hesperetin are particularly present in dark-colored honey.
Honey has been used as a natural diuretic since antiquity. Studies have found that honey can significantly increase urine volume and urinary excretion of sodium chloride without affecting plasma electrolytes.
One tablespoon of honey provides 64 calories and 17 grams of sugar (fructose and glucose) but contains no fiber, fat or protein. This makes it an ideal substitute for refined sugar when added to foods. It also has been used as a cough suppressant and has been shown to aid in the healing of wounds and burns.
8. Honey is a Natural Laxative
The amazing benefits of honey is even more evident in the laxative properties of honey. Honey is a natural laxative that can help alleviate constipation and bloating. It works by drawing water into the stool and stimulating the colon’s muscles. Manuka honey, which comes from the nectar of the Manuka bush (Leptospermum scoparium) in New Zealand, may have even more powerful laxative properties.
However, be careful with how much honey you consume. It is important to stick with the recommended daily limit of 6 teaspoons per day, or 100 calories.
9. Honey is a natural Humectant
Honey’s hygroscopic properties allow it to draw water molecules into the skin, making it an effective moisturizer. This is especially beneficial for those with atopic dermatitis, eczema and psoriasis.
It also contains all eight essential amino acids and 31 variable minerals, but not nearly enough to meet the daily requirement of most adults. It is also a natural preservative and has been used to treat burns, ulcers and fistulas (leprosy, sickle cell, septic, bed sores/decubitus ulcers, nipple infections and burst wounds)
Raw honey, which comes directly from the hive, is the least processed form of honey and thus may contain more antioxidants than other types. According to the National Honey Board, “Raw honey is honey as it exists in the beehive or obtained by extraction, settling or straining without the addition of heat.” However, honey should not be given to children under the age of one, due to the risk of botulism.
10. Honey is a Natural Pain Reliever
Honey is a natural sweetener that can be used to add sweetness to recipes and cocktails. It also has a host of other uses, from easing a cough to boosting wound healing.
The phenolic compounds and antioxidants found in honey have anti-inflammatory, cytoprotective, and antimicrobial properties. These properties may help with the treatment of diseases like diabetes mellitus, cancer, asthma, gastrointestinal, and cardiovascular disorders.
Try swapping sugar in your favorite baked goods for honey, or mix a tablespoon into a glass of water to quench your thirst. For a boozy treat, sip a honey lime margarita or honey-kissed cosmos. Just remember that one tablespoon of honey contains 64 calories, so watch your portion sizes. Also, opt for organic or raw honey, which is less processed and may have more antibacterial benefits. It also is free of GMOs, pesticides and synthetic chemicals.
