Health Benefits of Honey
If you’re not taking full advantage of the nutritional and medicinal properties of honey, it’s time to begin doing so because honey is an incredible healing agent for all sorts of ailments. People have been using honey for its antibacterial and antifungal properties since the ancient times. Honey is certainly an old product that has won over the hearts of many in the natural healing niche. Here are the most important benefits of honey.
1. Honey Is Rich in Antioxidants
High-quality honey contains many important antioxidants. These include phenols, enzymes and compounds like flavonoids and organic acids. Researchers believe that it is the combination of these compounds that gives honey its amazing antioxidant power. Moreover, studies have shown that buckwheat honey increases the antioxidant value of the blood. Antioxidants have been linked to reduced risk of heart attacks, strokes and some types of cancer.
2. Boosts Energy
Honey contains about 64 calories per tablespoon and it is used by many people as a source of energy. On the other hand, one tablespoon of sugar will give you about 15 calories. Furthermore, the carbohydrates in it can be easily converted into glucose, since it is very simple for the body to digest this pure and natural substance.
3. Honey Contains Some Nutrients
Honey is a sweet, thick liquid made by honeybees. The bees swarm their environment and collect the sugar-rich nectar of flowers. Then inside the beehive, they repeatedly consume, digest and regurgitate the nectar. The end product is honey, a liquid that is supposed to serve as stored food for the bees. The smell, color and taste depend on the types of flowers the bees visit. Nutritionally, 1 tablespoon of honey (21 grams) contains 64 calories and 17 grams of sugar, including fructose, glucose, maltose and sucrose. It contains no fiber, fat or protein.
4. Rich in Vitamins & Minerals
Honey contains a variety of vitamins and minerals. The type of vitamins and minerals and their quantity depends on the type of flowers used for apiculture. Also, honey contains vitamin C, calcium, and iron. If you check the vitamin and mineral content in regular sugar from any other source, you will find it completely insignificant.
5. Blood Sugar Regulation
Even though it contains simple sugars, it is not the same as white sugar. Its exact combination of fructose and glucose helps the body regulate blood sugar levels. Some kinds of honey do have a low hypoglycemic index, so they don’t jolt blood sugar.
6. Heals wounds and burns
External application of honey has been shown to be as effective as conventional treatment with silver sulfadiazene. It is believed that the drying effect of the simple sugars and honey’s anti-bacterial nature combine to create this effect.
7. Improves Athletic Performance
Research has shown that honey is a spectacular ergogenic aid and helps in boosting the performance of athletes. It is a great way to maintain blood sugar levels, recuperate muscles, and restore glycogen after a workout, as well as regulate the amount of insulin in the body.
8. Is probiotic
Some varieties of honey possess big amounts of friendly bacteria. This includes about 6 species of lactobacilli and 4 species of bifidobacteria. This may explain many of the mysterious therapeutic benefits of honey.
Honey is quite affordable and regularly available in most communities. However, make sure to buy your honey from the locals, whether it’s at the farmers market or local natural health food store. You’ll come to love honey more and more as you incorporate it into your life regularly.
