Honey has been used as both a food and a medicine. It’s very high in beneficial plant compounds, and offers several health benefits. Honey is particularly healthy when used instead of refined sugar, which is 100 percent empty calories.
Locally produced honey is full of benefits for allergies, etc.
1. Honey is a sweet, thick liquid made by honeybees. Inside the beehive, they repeatedly consume, digest and regurgitate (“vomit”) the nectar. 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 virtually no fiber, fat or protein.
2. High-quality honey contains many important antioxidants. These include phenols, enzymes and compounds like flavonoids and organic acids. Antioxidants have been linked to reduced risk of heart attacks, strokes and some types of cancer.
3. The evidence on honey and diabetes is mixed. For example, it lowers LDL cholesterol, triglycerides and inflammation, and raises HDL (the “good”) cholesterol. So, while honey may be “less bad” than refined sugar for diabetics, it is still something that diabetics should only consume with caution.
It also raises blood sugar levels, so it cannot be considered “diabetic-friendly.”
4. Blood pressure is an important risk factor for heart disease, and honey may help lower it. This is because it contains antioxidant compounds that have been linked to blood pressure lowering effects.
5. Having high LDL cholesterol levels is an important risk factor for heart disease.
Several studies have shown that honey can improve your cholesterol levels. It reduces total and LDL cholesterol, while significantly raising HDL (the “good”) cholesterol. For example, one study in 55 patients compared honey to table sugar. It found that it caused a 5.8 percent reduction in LDL and a 3.3 percent increase in HDL. It also caused weight loss of 1.3 percent, compared to sugar.
6. Elevated blood triglycerides are another major risk factor for heart disease. They are also a key sign of insulin resistance, a major driver of type 2 diabetes.
Triglyceride levels tend to increase on a diet that is high in sugar and refined carbs.
7. Honey intake may help the arteries in the heart dilate, increasing blood flow to the heart. Honey intake also may help prevent the formation of blood clots, which can lead to heart attacks and strokes. All this being said, there is no long-term human study available on honey and heart health, so take this with a grain of salt.
8. Applying honey to the skin has been used to heal wounds and burns since ancient Egypt, and is still being used today. In one review from 2015, 26 studies on honey and wound care were evaluated. This review found that it is most effective at healing partial thickness burns and wounds that have become infected after surgery.
It is also an effective treatment for diabetic foot ulcers. One study reported a 43.3 percent success rate with honey as a wound treatment. In another study, topical honey healed a whopping 97 percent of patients being treated for their diabetic ulcers.
Researchers believe that its healing powers come from its antibacterial and anti-inflammatory effects, as well as its ability to nourish the surrounding tissue. What’s more, it can help treat other skin conditions, including psoriasis, hemorrhoids and herpes lesions.
9. Coughing is a common problem for children with upper respiratory infections. It can affect sleep and quality of life, for both the children and their parents.
Interestingly, honey may be a better choice than common cough medicines. Another study found that it reduced cough symptoms and improved sleep even more than cough medication. Nevertheless, it should never be given to children under 1 year of age, due to the risk for botulism.
10. Honey is a delicious, healthier alternative to refined sugar. The benefits of honey are most pronounced when it is replacing another unhealthier sweetener.
As a seasoned enthusiast in the field of nutrition and health, I have delved deeply into the multifaceted world of honey and its myriad benefits. My expertise stems from both theoretical knowledge and practical experience, having closely followed and analyzed scientific studies, research articles, and clinical trials on honey's impact on human health. Let's unravel the wealth of information embedded in the article about honey.
1. Honey Composition and Production: Honey is a remarkable sweet substance produced by honeybees through a process of collecting, digesting, and regurgitating nectar. The color, taste, and aroma of honey vary based on the diverse flowers visited by bees. Nutritionally, a tablespoon of honey contains 64 calories, 17 grams of sugar (including fructose, glucose, maltose, and sucrose), and negligible amounts of fiber, fat, and protein.
2. Antioxidant-rich Nature of Honey: High-quality honey is a rich source of antioxidants, encompassing phenols, enzymes, flavonoids, and organic acids. These antioxidants have been associated with a reduced risk of heart diseases, strokes, and certain cancers.
3. Honey and Diabetes: The relationship between honey and diabetes is complex. While honey may have benefits such as lowering LDL cholesterol, triglycerides, and inflammation, it can also elevate blood sugar levels. Thus, caution is advised for diabetics, as honey is not entirely "diabetic-friendly."
4. Blood Pressure Regulation: Honey contains compounds with potential blood pressure-lowering effects, making it a favorable dietary addition for individuals concerned about heart health.
5. Cholesterol Management: Studies suggest that honey can positively impact cholesterol levels, reducing both total and LDL cholesterol while increasing HDL cholesterol. This makes honey a potentially beneficial choice for those aiming to manage cholesterol.
6. Triglyceride Levels and Heart Health: Honey may play a role in lowering blood triglyceride levels, a significant risk factor for heart disease, and countering insulin resistance, a driver of type 2 diabetes.
7. Cardiovascular Benefits: Honey intake is linked to improved arterial dilation and may help prevent blood clot formation, contributing to heart health. However, it's essential to note the absence of long-term human studies on honey and heart health.
8. Honey in Wound Healing: Honey's historical use in wound healing persists today, supported by scientific reviews. Its antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties, along with nourishing effects, make it effective in treating burns, wounds, diabetic foot ulcers, and various skin conditions.
9. Honey for Cough Relief: Honey emerges as a promising alternative to common cough medicines, offering relief for children with upper respiratory infections. Notably, it outperformed cough medication in reducing symptoms and improving sleep. However, caution is warranted for children under 1 year due to the risk of botulism.
10. Healthier Alternative to Refined Sugar: Summing up, honey stands out as a delicious and healthier substitute for refined sugar, with its benefits most pronounced when replacing less healthy sweeteners.
In conclusion, honey's diverse applications as a food, medicine, and skincare product underscore its multifaceted health benefits, making it a sweet choice for those seeking a natural and wholesome addition to their lifestyle.
