Honey is a sweet, yellowish or brownish, thick fluid produced by various bees from the nectar of flowers and used as food. The health benefits of honey have long been realised by humans to treat a variety of ailments. Honey contains powerful antioxidants with antiseptic and antibacterial properties.
Though scientific arguments have been made for use of honey in modern times, its use is still a conventional practice under the practice of “alternate medicine.”In modern times, its therapeutic uses have been researched and used in many hospitals. “Milk and honey” has been used as metaphor to explain the religious ethos and the Sun.
Top 20 Health Benefits of Honey:
1. Sweetener
Sugar can be substituted with honey in many foodand drinks. Honey contains about 69% glucose and fructose enabling it to be used as a sweetener.
2. Sore Throat
Because of its antimicrobial properties, honey is a good natural treatment for sore throat. Aside from killing the bacteria, honey also helps soothe the throat. As a matter of fact, there are some singers who take spoonfuls of honey before a performance. For sore throat, you should take a spoonful of honey. You can also make your own honey gargle by mixing two spoonfuls of honey with four tablespoons of lemon juice and a pinch of salt. You can also try mixing honey with warm water. People who have sore throat and cough are advised to drink this.
3. Allergies
It is also stated to cure some allergies, particularly localized honey to an area could help minimize seasonal allergies as bees feed on pollen from local plants which eventually finds its way to form honey. Its use for centuries is as a treatment for sore throats and coughs, and according to recent research, may in fact be as effective as many common cough medicines. Unfiltered, pasteurised honey is widely believed to alleviate allergies, though neither commercially filtered nor raw honey was shown to be more effective than placebo in a controlled study of 36 participants with ocular allergies. Nearly 1 in 3 of the volunteers dropped out of the study because they could not tolerate eating one tablespoon of honey every day due to the overly sweet taste. The official conclusion: “This study does not confirm the widely held belief that honey relieves the symptoms of allergic rhinoconjunctivitis.” A more recent study has shown pollen collected by bees to exert an anti allergenic effect, mediated by an inhibition of IgE immunoglobulin binding to mast cells. This inhibited mast cell degranulation and thus reduced allergic reaction. The risk of experiencing anaphylaxis as an immune system reaction may outweigh any potential allergy relief
4. Energy Source
According to USDA, honey contains about 64 calories per tablespoon. Hence honey is also used by many as a source of energy. On the other hand, one tablespoon of sugar will give you about 15 calories. Further the Carbohydrates in the honey can be easily converted into glucose by even the most sensitive stomachs. Hence it is very easy to digest honey.
5. Helps Maintain Body Youthfulness
It also improves the retention of calcium, which is needed for building strong nerves and strong bones common to Orientals. Honey boost the hemoglobin count and uses its good iron and copper supplies to help problems of anemia. It helps soothe kidneys and liver, helps protect against illness of the respiratory and digestive tract, boost the health of heart and promotes a balm of relaxation and soothing contentment.
6. Weight Loss
Though honey has more calories than sugar, honey when consumed with warm water helps in digesting the fat stored in your body. Similarly honey and lemon juice and honey and cinnamon help in reducing weight.
7. Hyperacidity and Peptic Ulcer
Take ½ glass of water to which one to one and a half teaspoon of honey was added, to be taken every three hours (waking hours). Continue with your regular drinking of ½ glass of plain water every hour.
8. Help Asthma Patients
Chewing the tops of honey combs for 20 minutes a teaspoon of bee capping; five to six times a day stimulates the immune system. It?s effective for asthma patients.
9. Improving Athletic Performance
Recent research has shown that honey is an excellent ergogenic aid and helps in boosting the performance of athletes. Honey facilitates in maintaining blood sugar levels, muscle recuperation and glycogen restoration after a workout.
10. Food preservative
Honey is good food preservative. While baking cakes by replacing sugar with honey, they will stay fresher longer due to natural antibiotics as honey retains moisture.
11. Source of Vitamins and 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. Commonly, honey contains Vitamin C, Calcium and Iron. Check for the vitamin and mineral content in sugar from any source, you will find it to be either nil or miniscule.
12. Antibacterial and Antifungal Properties
Honey has anti-bacterial and anti-fungal properties and hence it can be used as a natural antiseptic.
13. Constipation
Take several tablespoon of raw honey everyday (if you are not diabetic). Its natural fatty acids stimulate peristalsis and help establish regularity.
15. Bronchitis
Dissolve honey in a cup of boiled milk. Sip slowly to ease respiratory distress.
16. Aid Digestion
Take one to two tablespoons, three times a day, after meal.
17. Antioxidants
Honey contains nutraceuticals, which are effective in removing free radicals from our body. As a result, our body immunity is improved.
18. Skin Care With Milk and Honey
Milk and honey are often served together as both these ingredients help in getting a smooth soothing skin. Hence consuming milk and honey daily in the morning is a common practice in many countries.
19. Arthritis
Honey has anti-inflammation properties which means it is effective in reducing joint swelling. Honey is able to penetrate the skin deep into the body tissues to better help lessen inflammation of muscles and joints. You can use honey to treat arthritis by making a homemade paste. Mix one part honey with two parts warm water. Add a teaspoon of cinnamon powder. Massage this to the affected joints for a minute or two. For people with chronic arthritis, you can try drinking a cup of hot water with two spoonfuls of honey and one spoonful of cinnamon powder. Take this twice a day for better results.
20. Wound Management
Significant research is being carried out to study the benefits of honey in treating wounds.
- Honey possesses antimicrobial properties.
- It helps in promoting autolytic debridement.
- It deodorizes malodorous wounds.
- It speeds up the healing process by stimulating wound tissues.
- It helps in initiating the healing process in dormant wounds.
- Honey also helps in promoting moist wound healing.
