7 Amazing Honey Health Benefits That Will Transform Your Life
Honey is a sweet, syrupy liquid that’s made by honeybees from nectar. It’s loved worldwide for
its sweetness and depth of flavor, used in many foods and recipes.
1. Contains a variety of nutrients
One tablespoon (20 grams) of honey contains (1Trusted Source):
Calories: 61
Fat: 0 grams
Protein: 0 grams
Carbs: 17 grams
Fiber: 0 grams
Riboflavin: 1% of the Daily Value (DV)
Copper: 1
Honey is essentially pure sugar, with no fat and only trace amounts of protein and fiber. It contains small
amounts of some nutrients, but most people typically don’t consume enough honey for it to be a significant
dietary source of vitamins and minerals.
This is also true for health-promoting plant compounds called polyphenols that are present in honey’
2. Antioxidants in fruits and vegetables help protect against disease.
In the early 20th century,
industrialization had a major impact on the growth of convenience stores and
grocery stores industry. In the 1940s and ‘50s, these stores became the main
marketing channel for food due to the trend of lowering prices and simplifying
marketing methods. And by 1955, they were known as "supermarkets" as
their product offerings grew.
3. Better for
blood sugar levels than regular sugar
When it comes to
blood sugar management, honey may offer some slight benefits over regular
sugar.
While
honey raises your blood sugar level just like other types of sugar do, the
antioxidants it contains may help protect against metabolic syndrome and type 2
diabetes. Researchers have found that honey may increase levels of adiponectin,However, while honey may be slightly better than refined sugar for
people with diabetes, it still needs to be consumed in moderation. It’s also
important to know that certain types of honey could be diluted with plain
syrup. Although honey adulteration is illegal in most countries, it remains a
widespread problem.
4. May improve
heart health
Honey may also
help prevent heart disease.
According to one
review, honey may help lower blood pressure, improve blood fat levels, regulate
your heartbeat, and prevent the death of healthy cells — all factors that can
improve your heart function and health.
One
observational study including over 4,500 people over age 40 associated a
moderate honeyAdditionally, raw honey typically contains propolis, a type of
resin that bees produce from sap-producing trees and similar plants. Propolis
may improve cholesterol and triglyceride levels
All
told, there’s no long-term human study available on honey and heart health.
More research is needed to better understand honey’s effects on heart health.
5. Promotes burn
and wound healing
Using
honey to treat wounds is a common practice that dates back to ancient Egypt.
Reviewing 26 studies on the subject, researchers found it was most effective at
treating partial-thickness burns and wounds that had become infected after
surgery. Honey is also an effective treatment for diabetes-related foot ulcers,
which can lead to
Because of its antibacterial properties, honey has been used to treat
burns and wounds since ancient Egypt. Today it is still commonly used in burn
units as an effective treatment for partial-thickness wounds and infected
wounds after surgery.
A study of people with diabetes-related foot ulcers found a 43.3%
success rate with honey as a treatment. Another study showed that 97% of
participants’ ulcers were healed when applying honey topically. Researchers
believe that honey’s healing powers come from its antibacterial and
anti-inflammatory effects.hat’s more, it may help treat other skin conditions including
psoriasis and herpes. Additionally,if you have a severe burn, you should seek
medical attention immediately.
6. Coughing is a common problem
for children with upper respiratory
infections. These infections can affect sleep and quality of life for both
children and parents. However, common cough medications are not always
effective, and can have side effects such as drowsiness or irritability.
Interestingly, honey may be a good alternative to these medications, with
evidence indicating that it
A review of several studies on honey and cough in children found that
honey appears to be more effective than diphenhydramine for cough symptoms. It
may also help reduce cough duration. Another review noted that it may also
improve sleep quality among children with coughs, as well as their parents.
Further, unlike some cough medicines, honey doesn’t have any side.
7. Easy to add to your diet
Honey is easy to
add to your diet.
To get a small
boost of antioxidants from honey, you can use it any way that you’d typically
use sugar. It’s excellent for sweetening plain yogurt, coffee, or tea. You can
also use it in cooking and baking.
As
a home remedy, it can be applied directly
Plus, eating large amounts of honey, especially over a long period of
time, can contribute to weight gain and increase your risk of diseases like
type 2 diabetes or heart disease. Therefore, stick to a low-to-moderate intake.
