Additives such as iodine might reduce the shelf life, however. Story highlights Honey has proven antibacterial properties For children over the age of one, honey is an alternative to cough and cold medications The jury is still out on cancer, heart and diabetes benefits. Rock art pictures of honey harvesting , which at first glance look like drawings from A. Milne's Winnie-the-Pooh, date to about B.
Beeswax has been found on pottery dating as far back as B. The ancient Egyptians offered honey to the gods and then joined the Greeks, Romans and Chinese in using it as a salve for wounds and a treatment for fevers and stomach ailments. Today, proponents of honey tout its miraculous healing properties, claiming that it can prevent cancer and heart disease, reduce ulcers, ease digestive problems, regulate blood sugar, soothe coughs and sore throats, and increase athletic performance. But just how many of these uses, ancient or modern, have been proved by science?
Read More. Thumbs up: Antibacterial properties. There's no doubt honey has the power to kill bacteria. Studies have shown that it is effective against dozens of strains, including E. A specific type of honey from New Zealand, called manuka honey, along with Malaysian Tualang honey, has been shown to fight staph and the digestive bacteria responsible for peptic ulcers, H. What makes honey antimicrobic? Most bees deposit hydrogen peroxide into the honey as they synthesize flower pollen.
Add that honey is naturally acidic, and you have a recipe for antibacterial properties. Despite dubious claims, manuka honey may be antibiotic powerhouse. That would explain honey's centuries-old role in speeding wound healing and treating gastric complaints. Sure enough, modern science has shown honey's effectiveness in treatment of ulcers, bed sores, burns, skin sores and inflammation.
Hi Sweety — Thanks for the feedback! I wanted to pass along another article that you may enjoy reading. Your email address will not be published. Shop Products. Shop Products Cart. Search blog. Shop Perfect Snacks. Health Top 8 Benefits of Eating Honey. Pure Honey and Natural Honey Pure honey and natural honey are also typically pasteurized and filtered. Raw Honey If you really want to embrace all the health benefits of honey, stick with the raw kind. Fights Free Radical Damage Raw honey is packed with powerful antioxidants , which fight against cell damage.
Combats Harmful Bacteria Honey is famous for its antibacterial properties and its ability to combat many types of bacteria , including salmonella and E. Promotes Oral Health Surprisingly, honey can fend off gingivitis and periodontal disease. Improves Digestive Health Raw honey is recognized as a prebiotic food, meaning it can nurture the good bacteria living in your gut. Helps Fend off Diseases The phytonutrients found in honey, which contribute to its antioxidant and antibacterial powers, can also give your immune system a boost.
Bonus: Supports Skin Recovery In addition to all the benefits of eating honey, certain types can be used in topical treatments. Not bad, bees!
Harness the Power of Honey in Your Diet with Perfect Snacks We love everything honey has to offer — from its antioxidant abilities to its role as a deliciously natural sweetener and preservative. Products You'll Love. Health Nutrition. Last night I had my husband try it before bed and he did not cough all night. Hey Laney, I love to eat honey with water and chapti and it is very useful for cough also when i give it to my brother when he was suffering from cough.
Leave a Reply Cancel reply Your email address will not be published. This sweet, natural substance may contain healthful elements that processed honey does not have. Honey provides a range of health benefits. Raw honey, which comes straight from the beehive, contains healthful bee pollen, bee propolis, and plenty of antioxidants. Research has not confirmed that raw honey has more health benefits than regular honey, but some people believe that the processing and pasteurization that regular honey undergoes diminishes many of the beneficial elements.
Some people believe that because of this, raw honey provides more health benefits than regular honey. Honey is a sweet, golden liquid made by honeybees. Honeybees store their honey in small, hexagonal cups called a honeycomb.
Raw honey comes straight from the honeycomb. Honey from the hive contains bee pollen, beeswax, and parts of dead bees. Honey manufacturers will usually pass raw honey through a filter to remove as many impurities as possible, but some generally remain. It is still safe to eat. Unlike raw honey, regular honey undergoes a pasteurization process.
This means manufacturers have heated it to kill yeast cells that can affect its taste, increase its shelf-life, and make it look more transparent and attractive.
However, pasteurization may adversely affect the number of nutrients in the honey. Some historical evidence estimates that humans have used honey for over 8, years. During ancient times, people would have used raw honey, but today, most people use pasteurized honey. Honey naturally offers the following healthful properties:.
Raw honey also contains bee pollen and bee propolis, which is a sticky, glue-like substance bees use to hold their hive together. Regular honey may not contain the same levels of bee propolis and bee pollen as raw honey. A review on honey and a review on bee pollen report that bee propolis and bee pollen can offer anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, antibacterial, and anticancer properties.
Researchers believe that some of the main health benefits from honey come from its antioxidant content. Natural honey contains a range of compounds that act as antioxidants, including phytochemicals, flavonoids, and ascorbic acid.
Antioxidants reduce oxidative stress in the body by mopping up free radicals. Scientists have linked oxidative stress to a range of chronic health conditions, including many cancers. By eating an antioxidant-rich diet, people can reduce their risk of chronic disease. Some people believe that pasteurization reduces the number of antioxidants in the honey, meaning that pasteurized honey may not offer the same benefits as raw honey. There is no specific research into how pasteurization affects the antioxidants in honey, but studies show that heating other foods can reduce their antioxidant content.
The exact nutrition and chemical composition of raw honey varies between different countries and environments and depends partly upon which types of flowers the bees gather their nectar from. Regardless of these factors, honey still contains healthful compounds, such as antioxidants, amino acids, and vitamins. One tablespoon or 21 grams g of raw honey contains 64 calories and 16 g of sugar. These values may vary between brands and batches.
Natural honey naturally contains small amounts of the following vitamins and minerals:. Honey naturally contains sugar. A little more than half of the sugar in honey is fructose. Research has linked fructose to various health problems. However, even with its fructose content, honey may be a healthier option than table sugar. Some research suggests that honey may offer a protective effect against diabetes and some types of honey may help improve cholesterol levels.
People who have diabetes or who are on sugar-restricted diets may choose to eat honey in moderation to avoid significant changes in their blood sugar levels.
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