Honey: Uses and Health Benefits

Humans have been collecting honey for thousands of years. Rock art in Spain since 6000 BC shows people collecting honey. Beeswax around 8000 BC was found in pots in Turkey. Around 2400 a. C. The Egyptians were experienced, beekeepers. When early humans cut down forests for pasture, they created bee-friendly habitats where flowers and shrubs grew. When the farmers moved to new areas, the bees did the same.

What is organic honey?

Organic honey is a natural, healthier, and more environmentally friendly form of honey. There is no manipulation of biotechnological pesticides or synthetic products in organic honey. This honey is extracted from hives found in natural locations, and the owner must meet many standards that include bee management, proper extraction processes, and regulated processing temperatures. Organic honey does not contain pesticide residues or other toxins found in factory-made bottled honey available in the market. Organic honey also undergoes a rigorous chemical testing process, so there are no deposits in it. Hives that produce organic honey are free of added sugars and other antibiotics.

Honey is the only food that insects create

Honey is the only food made by insects. It has excellent therapeutic, medicinal, and nutritional value and has a tremendous superficial value. Usually, Bees must work extremely hard to produce honey in small quantities. Worker bees are said to work 24 hours a day. To make a kilo of honey, a bee colony must collect nectar from about two million flowers and fly 55,000 miles. In total, the hive can produce about 100 pounds of honey in one year. Scientists say honey bees do not sleep and do not rest at all. They interact with each other by dancing and continually discharging pheromones.

How much honey for a day?

Careful not to consume more than six teaspoons (2 tablespoons) of honey in a day, and that is when it is the ONLY added sugar you are eating. If you get sugar from other sources, make sure your total sugar intake exceeds six teaspoons.

Honey or sugar

In this debate, honey may have an advantage. Honey contains antioxidants, amino acids, and healthy vitamins. Though, some experts assume that the benefits of honey are too few to matter. Also, a teaspoon of honey has 21 calories (about 2 minutes of running) compared to 16 for sugar. It may contain traces of botulism that make you sick.

Honey is “less harmful” than sugar for people with diabetes

The evidence for honey and diabetes is mixed. It can reduce several risk factors for heart disease common in type 2 diabetes people. For example, it can lower “bad” LDL cholesterol, triglycerides, and inflammation, while increasing “good” HDL cholesterol. Though, some studies have found that honey increases blood sugar levels, but not as much as white sugar. While honey may be slightly better than white sugar for diabetes, it should be consumed with caution. People with diabetes can better cope with minimizing all carbohydrate-rich foods. Remember also that certain types of honey can be adulterated with plain syrup. Although adulteration of honey is illegal in most countries, it is still a widespread problem.

Antioxidants can help lower blood pressure

Blood pressure leads to heart disease, and honey may help reduce it. It is because it carries antioxidant compounds that have been linked to lower blood pressure. Studies in rats and humans have shown modest reductions in blood pressure from honey consumption.

Consumption of honey can cause a slight decrease in blood pressure, a significant risk factor for heart disease.

Good quality honey is rich in antioxidants

Good quality honey contains too many essential antioxidants, including organic acids and phenolic compounds like flavonoids. Scientists believe that the combination of these two compounds gives honey an antioxidant power. Interestingly, two studies have proved that buckwheat honey increases antioxidant levels in the blood. Antioxidants may reduce the risk of heart attacks, strokes, and some cancers. They can also promote eye health. Summary Honey contains several antioxidants, including phenolic compounds such as flavonoids.

The most important antioxidants in honey are:

• Polyphenols (flavonoids, flavonols, phenolic acids, catechins, and derivatives of cinnamic acid)

• Vitamins (C and E),

• Enzymes (catalase, peroxidase, and glucose oxidase),

• Carotenoids

• Organic acids

• Amino acids and proteins

• Products of the Maillard reaction (in pasteurized honey)

It also traces various vitamins and minerals, but you need to eat many pounds to meet your daily needs. Where honey shines is its content of bioactive plant substances and antioxidants. Honey is a sweet and thick liquid made by bees. Honey is low in vitamins and minerals but may be high in botanicals.

Strengthen your memory

We are what we eat, so it is essential to eat foods that strengthen our sanity and last with age. Honey, the perennial sweetener, has numerous health benefits, including boosting memory and concentration. Not only does honey improve brain performance and memory, but it also makes you a healthier person overall. Consuming honey prevents metabolic stress and helps calm and calm the brain, which in the long run helps to improve memory.

Honey also helps improve cholesterol

Elevated levels of LDL cholesterol are a strong risk determinant for heart disease. This cholesterol plays an essential role in atherosclerosis, accumulating fat in the arteries leading to heart attacks. Interestingly, many studies show that honey can improve your cholesterol levels. Lowers total and “bad” LDL cholesterol while significantly increasing “good” HDL cholesterol.

Honey helps burns and wounds

Local honey treatment has been used to heal wounds and burns since ancient Egypt and is still the same till today. A review of many studies on honey and wound care found that honey is most effective in healing partial thickness burns and wounds that became affected after an operation. Honey is an efficient treatment for diabetic foot ulcers, which are serious complications affecting amputation. One study suggested a 43.3% success rate with honey as a wound treatment. In another, topical honey healed a whopping 97% of diabetic ulcers in patients. Researchers believe that honey’s healing abilities come from its antibacterial and anti-inflammatory qualities and its ability to nourish surrounding tissues.

Honey can overcome cough in children

Coughing is a natural problem in children with upper respiratory infections. These viruses can affect sleep and quality of life for children and parents. However, conventional cough medications are not always effective and can have side effects. Interestingly, honey may be a better option, and there is evidence that it is highly effective. One research found that honey works better than two common cough medicines. Another research found that it reduced cough symptoms and improved sleep more than cough medications. Though, due to the risk of botulism, honey should never be given to children under one year of age.

It is delicious but still high in sugar and calories

Honey is a delicious and healthier alternative to sugar. Be sure to choose a good quality product, as some low-quality ones can be mixed with syrup. Remember that honey should only be used in moderation as it is still high in sugar and calories. The benefits of honey are most said when it is substituted for another unhealthy sweetener. Honey is simply a “less bad” sweetener in comparison to sugar.

Honey may lower triglycerides.

High blood triglycerides are another factor for heart disease. They have also been linked to insulin resistance, one of the leading causes of type 2 diabetes. Triglyceride levels tend to increase with a diet high in sugar and refined carbohydrates. Interestingly, several studies have linked regular consumption of honey with lower levels of triglycerides, primarily when used as a substitute for sugar; For example, a study comparing honey and sugar found between 11 and 19% lower triglycerides in the honey group. Several studies show that honey can reduce triglyceride levels, mainly when used as a substitute for sugar.

Prevents and helps control eczema.

Eczema is a skin disease that causes redness, itching, and peeling of the skin, causing discomfort. Usually, children and teenagers suffer from eczema, which can be treated with eczema. Sufferers can make a mixture of raw honey and cold olive oil and apply it to the skin to eliminate the problem. Honey works as a natural cleanser by removing impurities and leaving skin smooth and soft. It can also be used for exfoliation by mixing it with oats to remove dead skin cells. Regular use of honey prevents the onset or reappearance of eczema.

Natural Home Remedies for Dandruff, do you know how beneficial honey is for hair?

Honey is one of the best natural home remedies for dandruff. It not only provides nurture to dry hair but also gives even and soft hair. One can also use honey and lavender with green tea to stop hair loss.

What are the side effects of consuming honey?

Safety and side effects Wheezing and other asthmatic symptoms like

• Vertigo
• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Weakness
• Excessive sweating
• Fainting
• Arrhythmias