Honey is a thick liquid produced by honeybees from the nectar of flowers. Its sweetness and rich flavor make it a popular ingredient in a wide variety of dishes. It comes in an almost infinite number of variants, each with its distinct aroma, color, and flavor due to the wide variety of flowers used in its production. It is used as an ingredient in numerous alternative medicine and home remedy therapies, and it may have a variety of health advantages on its own. Bees extract the nectar from flowers and transform it into honey, a delicious liquid. It has been celebrated for its medicinal properties for countless centuries. It comes in many forms, including raw, pasteurized, and colored varieties. An average of 80% sugar is present. It is bottled straight from the hive, so it may have traces of yeast, wax, and pollen.
The use of raw honey in the treatment of seasonal allergies has been suggested, and it has also been found to speed up the healing of wounds. In this post, we’ll go over some of honey’s more interesting applications, including its nutritional benefits and a few potential drawbacks. Since ancient times, people have turned to raw honey for its healing properties and medical applications. Some medical facilities even employ it as a wound care remedy. Many of these advantages are unique to raw (i.e., unheated) honey. Most supermarket honey has been pasteurized. Extreme heat destroys yeast, enhances flavor, softens texture, dissolves crystals, and lengthens shelf life. Unfortunately, the procedure also destroys many of the healthy nutrients. Those who are curious about trying raw honey should do so by acquiring it from a reliable regional supplier.
What are the medical advantages of Honey?
Learn about the many uses of honey, including its many health advantages, as well as tips for choosing the highest quality honey and coming up with tasty new ways to include it in your favorite foods. Bees extract the nectar from flowers and transform it into honey, a delicious liquid. It has been celebrated for its medicinal properties for countless centuries. The environment may suffer as a result of honey production. Beekeeping has been shown to import non-native honeybees in significant numbers, which can reduce the number of native bee species pollinating a given area. Further investigation reveals detrimental after-effects on plant life and ecosystems as a whole. An examination of the causes of colony collapse disorder and the loss of bee numbers is scheduled for 2020, and it may find that industrial beekeeping methods are a factor.
Another study from the same year stresses the importance of broadening the bee population for long-term sustainability. The Western honeybee wasn’t always a part of American culture; it was brought to the new world by European colonists in the 17th century. There are over 4,000 native bee species in the country, and honeybees can threaten them. As a result, several protected areas prohibit the introduction of honeybees. It has 64 calories, 17.2 g of sugar, and zero dietary fiber, fat, or protein per tablespoon. Research suggests that the low pH of honey (around 3.9) may inhibit bacterial development. It’s important to note that different types of honey will have different physical features because of the different kinds of flowers that were utilized to create them. It has no shelf life as long as it is kept in an airtight container.
Following are the health advantages
To treat cuts and burns
A wide variety of beneficial bioactive plant chemicals and antioxidants, including flavonoids and phenolic acids, can be found in raw, unheated, and fresh honey. It’s been found that darker variants provide more antioxidants than their lighter counterparts. Reactive oxygen species (ROS) can accumulate and cause harm to cells, although they can be neutralized by antioxidants. Premature aging, type 2 diabetes, and cardiovascular disease are all illnesses that may be exacerbated by this damage. The antioxidants in honey are responsible for many of its positive health effects.
Beneficial effects on blood sugar levels compared to table sugar
It may provide marginal advantages over table sugar in controlling blood sugar levels. Honey, like any sugar, can cause a spike in blood sugar, but its antioxidants may reduce the risk of metabolic syndrome and type 2 diabetes. Scientists have discovered that honey may boost the production of the hormone adiponectin, which has anti-inflammatory and blood sugar-balancing effects. Some research suggests that persons with type 2 diabetes who consume it regularly may see an improvement in their fasting blood sugar levels. However, diabetics should still use caution while consuming honey because it may only be somewhat better than regular sugar. You should also be aware that some kinds of honey can be diluted with regular syrup. Although most nations have laws against it, honey adulteration continues to be a worldwide issue.
Potentially good for the heart
There’s some evidence that honey can protect against cardiovascular disease as well. One review suggests that honey has beneficial effects on heart health, including hypertension, improving blood fat levels, regulating your heartbeat, and preventing the death of good cells. Moderate honey consumption was associated with a reduced incidence of hypertension in women, according to one ongoing study of more than 4,500 adults over the age of 40. Additionally, its potential to safeguard the heart from oxidative stress was demonstrated in promising research published on rats. Raw honey also generally has propolis, a substance made by bees from trees and plants that generate sap. Propolis has been shown to lower triglyceride and cholesterol levels. As a whole, there is no known long-term human investigation on the effects of honey on cardiovascular health. It may have positive impacts on cardiac health, but more study is needed to confirm this.
Incidences of acid reflux can be avoided
You could try using honey as an acid reflux remedy. Honey may help line the esophagus and stomach, which may decrease the flow of stomach acid and undigested food back up the esophagus and into the stomach, according to a study of honey’s health impacts published in 2017. Despite the plausibility of this idea, clinical studies disproved it. Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is caused by stomach acid backing up into the esophagus, which can cause inflammation, acid reflux, and heartburn.
Stopping the spread of disease
Bacteria can be killed by the Manuka honey’s hydrogen peroxide and defensin-1 proteins, according to a review published in 2018. The authors hypothesized that compared to other jars of honey, Manuka honey would be more effective at fighting bacteria. Even an in vitro investigation done in 2016 validated Manuka honey’s antimicrobial benefits.
Soothing congestion and coughing
According to research conducted in 2012, it is more helpful than a placebo at calming kids’ coughs while they sleep. Two years later, researchers looked at the efficacy of a honey and milk mix in alleviating children’s acute coughs. According to the authors’ evaluation, the approach appeared as least as successful as the two commercially available alternatives.
Strengthening of Capabilities
There are 17 grams of carbs in 1 teaspoon of honey. This demonstrates that honey may be useful as a replacement for conventional energy boosters before, during, and after physical activity. A boost in performance has been observed in athletes who consumed little doses of honey before, during, and after exercise. Honey’s results were markedly superior to those seen with glucose. Its ability to improve speed during exercise has been demonstrated. Protein- and carbohydrate-hungry athletes can benefit greatly from the glucose in it. Slow-burning sugar is preferable for maintaining energy during activity. It is a good choice because it delivers sugar gradually into the bloodstream, unlike other options.
How to incorporate honey into your diet?
Honey can be eaten right off the spoon or used in a wide variety of culinary applications. Here are some suggestions for enjoying this delectable treat:
- Put honey in your smoothie, or use it to sweeten your tea or coffee.
- It is a great addition to homemade vinaigrette dressings and sauces
- Top your muesli, overnight oats, chia seeds, or avocado custard with it.
- Energy balls containing nut or seed butter, oats, and dark chocolate are improved by the addition of honey.
- Make honey-glazed kale chips or carrots, and walnuts.
The use of honey as an alternative to sugar is also acceptable in some baked items. Substitute honey for the sugar and use just half to two-thirds of a cup of liquid in the recipe. Drinks like the honey lime margarita, and the bee’s knees, which are made with honey, gin, ginger, and lemon juice, all featuring honey as a sweetener.
Consuming more honey is simple. Honey can be substituted for sugar in any recipe, and it will provide a little antioxidant boost in exchange. Plain yogurt, coffee, or tea all benefit greatly from its sugary flavor when added to this. It is also useful in the kitchen and the oven. It can be used orally for coughing or applied topically for mild burns and wounds. Keep in mind that the risk of botulism makes honey unsuitable for infants under 1 year of age. Keep in mind that honey is a sugar and that eating it will raise your blood sugar. It can lead to weight gain and raise the risk of diseases including type 2 diabetes and heart disease, especially if consumed in significant quantities regularly over an extended period. Thus, maintain a modest to moderate consumption.
The Bottom Line
Honey offers several health benefits, including the ability to treat infections, combat metabolic syndrome, reduce arterial hardening, and support a healthy digestive tract. It also has antibacterial capabilities. There is a possibility that honey could one day serve as a substitute for antibiotics. Additionally, it possesses some nutritional value and can be enjoyed in a variety of ways. Honey is something that can be good to have in your diet, whether you eat it straight from the jar or use it in your hot beverage of choice. It includes many useful chemicals, including antioxidants and propolis, which give it the ability to improve a person’s health in several ways. It is an excellent sugar substitute, but you should limit your intake of it because your body will process it in the same way as sugar if you do.
Honey shouldn’t be given to children who haven’t reached their first birthday since there is a possibility that it could expose them to botulism. It has been utilized as a treatment for more than five thousand years by medical professionals all over the world. It has been shown in several clinical studies to be effective in the treatment of wounds and burns, as well as in the battle against infections and the alleviation of cold and flu symptoms. Honey, when used in moderation as a sugar alternative, may also be beneficial to the individual consuming it. It is critical to bear in mind that maintaining good overall eating patterns is one of the most significant factors in protecting against sickness and promoting well-being. Even though different meals can have different effects, the most essential thing is to make sure you are eating a broad and well-balanced diet.
Sirisha B