Fun fact: Two tablespoons of honey would fuel a honey bee flying once around the world
Introduction
An ancient energy and immunity booster, honey has been the subject of several researches that account to the benefits it contribute to achieve overall health. Honey is the edible sweet liquid produced by bees, which is at the same time packed with incredible quantity of vitamins and minerals. If consumed daily and consistently, honey will result to significant and healthier changes in your body.
A tablespoon of honey contains some 64 calories. Honey has zero cholesterol and fat. It therefore derives its capability to produce energy from its abundant supply of carbohydrates. Raw honey holds 80% carbohydrates, 18% water, and 2% vitamins and minerals. For each tablespoon of honey are 17 grams of carbohydrates.
Carbohydrate is the primary source of energy in honey. The energy is used to fuel the muscles and to keep the central nervous system working. The quantity of carbohydrates is important to prevent the use of protein as energy. Sixteen grams of the carbohydrates found in a tablespoon of honey are sugars. Breakdown of proteins as energy may affect protein’s function as building blocks of muscles.
Honey sugars usually come in the form of fructose and glucose. Honey may be sweeter than the usual sugar, but the former are definitely the healthier. It has antiseptic and medicinal properties. Moreover, they are more friendly to the bloodstreams.
Honey is also a source of vitamin C, a natural antioxidant that fights off harmful free radicals that target and damage the cells in the body. Vitamin C develops body resistance against infectious agents. This is the reason why honey is used by many to improve their immune system.
Aside from such nutrients, honey holds abundant supply of vitamin B complex. As a group, B vitamins assist in the conversion of food into energy. Honey particularly is a good source of Riboflavin, Niacin, Pantothenic Acid, Pyridoxine, and Folate. Vitamin B2 or Riboflavin helps produce red blood cells used to transport oxygen across the body. Vitamin B3 or Niacin, meanwhile, lowers the bad cholesterol level in the body while increasing the good ones.
Aside from its role in metabolism of fat and carbohydrates, vitamin B5 or Pantothenic Acid is used to produce testosterone and other stress related hormones. On the other hand, vitamin B6 or Pyridoxine assists in the production of hormones like melatonin and serotonin. Moreover, vitamin B9 or folate is essential for growth and development.
Other minerals found in honey include manganese, iron, copper, potassium, and zinc.
A pot of hot – honey and lemon – ginger tea
The Important Health benefits of Honey
Curing Skin Burns and Wounds
Long before the existence of Penicillin, honey was the natural and very safe treatment for wounds and skin infections. Now that technology is advanced and that their products are compromising safety, people are starting to recognize the helpful use of honey in the world of medicine. Studies have found that honey has strong ad very effective anti-fungal, anti-bacterial, and anti-oxidant properties. Application of honey directly to the affected area of the skin shows instant and visible after effects. Research has shown that honey is effective in treating skin burns and wounds up to 99%. The hydrogen peroxide that honey releases when under the enzymatic process is the scientific explanation behind its antiseptic ability.
Treats Cough
Studies have shown that the dextromethorphan content of honey makes it an operative treatment for cough. In fact, the World Health Organization included it as one of the properties that protects the throat from irritations and infections. Honey is an effectual demulcent that relieves cough and soothe the upper respiratory tract to avoid infections.
Improves Scalp Condition
If you have been experiencing itching in the scalp and dandruff, honey is a very effective treatment to that. Itching and dandruff is caused by a scalp condition called seborrheic dermatitis. It has been proven that applying honey in the scalp can eliminate this condition. Patients attested that after a few weeks of using honey, itching and dandruff disappeared and the quality of the hair was improved. Hair loss is prevented and hair became shinier and manageable.
Stops Allergies
Honey has long-term positive effects in avoiding allergy. This is because honey has small amounts of allergens that when digested will build up body’s resistance against it. This will make your immune system resilient to allergy thus establishing immunity against it. It is of great help to take at least a spoonful of honey daily to boost immunity. Observing this daily habit will result to reduction in antihistamine usage by 50% and 70% lesser chances of experiencing symptoms of allergy.
Boosts Energy
In every day of our lives, we need energy to be able to do our daily tasks and responsibilities. Naturally, we need to eat to have energy. It is up to us to choose which source of energy is the safest and healthiest. There are many processed food and beverages that can boost energy but there are health risks. We all know that processed foods and drinks are not healthy. Healthier options would be fruits, vegetables, and other all-natural foods just like honey. Honey is proven to be an excellent source of energy. If you need an instant energy alleviator, consumption of honey is safer, healthier, and more effective that consuming processed energy food and drinks. If you are preparing yourself for a physical activity, let’s say for sports or workout, honey intake is of great help.
Battles Herpes
Honey has shown positive effects when it comes to treating herpes. There are already many studies conducted that supports the success of honey as a remedy to herpes. First and foremost, honey assures that fluid is drawn away from the wound. Secondly, because of its richness in glucose it prevents growth of microorganism. Plus, honey has the ability to heal the wound. Studies proved that almost 99% of herpes victims who used honey to sooth herpes showed better results than using the prescribed medicines.
Sharpens Memory
Honey consumption is proven to have memory boosting effects. Even if there is no clear and established foundation yet behind this health benefit, many health experts support the idea. Studies were conducted engaging women of menopausal age. These women consume honey daily and turns out they can remember better after months of honey consumption.
Increases White Blood Cells
This is highly beneficial to those who are undergoing chemotherapy. Chemotherapy lowers the count of white blood cells to the extent that the patient may suffer from neutropenia. Consuming honey at least two tablespoons a day while undergoing chemotherapy treatments will keep your white blood cell count normal.
Remedies Infantile Gastroenteritis
Diarrhea among children can be remedied by consumption of honey. This is because honey has strong anti-bacterial properties that kill the bacteria causing the diarrhea. This results to shorter diarrhea duration. Honey can also be used as a healthy substitute in restoring hydration levels when suffering from diarrhea. Honey is very rich in glucose that is very electrolyte bounty. Dehydration is prone to those who have diarrhea so make sure to re-hydrate to avoid further complications.
Helps in Alcohol Metabolism
There are many people who suffer from alcohol intolerance which is caused by the inability of the body to properly metabolize alcohol. Good news is that honey can help with that. Intake of honey can regulate the metabolism of alcohol thus preventing allergies and intoxication caused by alcohol exposure. Honey consumption can increase alcohol blood levels for the body to respond normally to alcohol.
Books on Honey
Honey & Its Miraculous Healing Powers – Honey For Weight Loss, Honey for Immunity, Honey for Diabetes, Skin Care, Beauty, Energy, Sleep, Hangovers etc.
The Fresh Honey Cookbook – 84 Recipes from a Beekeeper’s Kitchen
Honey – The Honey Miracle – Discover These Mind Blowing Uses of Natural Honey to Heal, Cure, and Beautify (Everything You Need to Know about Honey to Drastically Improve Your Health)
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