Health Benefits of Honey

Nothing goes hand in hand with autumn like ‘comfort food’. The temperature begins to drop, our bodies begin to adjust to the chill and we seek warn, nourishing comfort food. Honey is often added to comfort food to enhance its taste. It’s placed on cereal, crème of wheat, toast, bagels, pancakes, tea, waffles, fruit, etc. Truth be told, honey is far more than a taste enhancer; it’s extraordinarily healthy and one of the original superfoods.

Honey is one of the oldest medicines known to man. For thousands of years it has been used as a natural remedy for gastrointestinal diseases, wounds, psoriasis, eczema, skin ulcers, respiratory diseases, yeast infections and arthritis. Honey’s a thick, sweet and rich golden brown liquid that’s produced by honey bees from the nectar of plants or secretions of living parts of plants. It comes in a variety of colors including brown, red and amber. Darker honey tends to be stronger in flavor and higher in antioxidants.  In a study that analyzed 19 samples of honey from 14 different floral sources, University of Illinois scientists found that honey made from nectar collected from Illinois buckwheat flowers (darker honey) packs 20 times the antioxidant punch as that produced by bees that lap up California sage (lighter honey).

Honey contains over 180 known substances including minerals, phenolics, organic acids, peptides, vitamins, trace elements and enzymes.

Let’s take a further look at the multiple health benefits of honey:

Honey for sore throats. Let’s start with the obvious. Honey is outstanding for treating a sore throat. It has strong antibacterial properties that soothe the throat and destroy the bacteria causing the infection. Honey has antibiotic effects on a number of infectious diseases including UTIs (urinary tract infections), sinusitis, anthrax, impetigo, anthrax and respiratory infections. The thick consistency of honey is soothes even the worst ‘scratchy’ throat. It can mix into tea, hot water or lemon juice and consumed. If you want a truly health ‘one-two punch’, add honey to antioxidant rich Green Tea.

Honey for energy. Honey is a natural source of carbohydrates that provides the body with a boost of energy. It provides about 65 calories per tablespoon. The sugars in honey are easy to digest and effortlessly converted into glucose. Maintaining optimal blood sugar levels can have tremendous heath benefits. Honey can assist in this goal. Studies have shown honey can keep blood sugar levels consistent compared to other type of sugar.

Are you an athlete or workout warrior? You should try Bee Pollen. It increases endurance, strength, energy and speed. Millions of people consume energy and endurance drinks to enhance their workout. These products are laced withcaffeine, taurine and guarana. A teaspoon of honey prior to a workout is a far better option. Your body will maintain energy throughout the workout without the artificial ingredients that will tax your heart. If you’re searching for a chiseled physique, bee pollen will increase muscle growth and definition.

Honey for cuts and abrasions. Honey has a long history of natural method for treating cuts, abrasions, diabetic ulcers, abscesses, etc. It inhibits the growth of bacteria, soothes the skin, absorbs moisture from the air to expedite thehealing process and keeps the wound clean from infection. The most potent form of honey used to treat cuts and abrasions is Active Manuka Honey. Honeybees produce Manuka Honey by pollinating Manuka bushes, typically indigenous to New Zealand. This form of honey contains an efficacious mix of antimicrobial and antibacterial properties.

Honey for the immune system. Honey can significantly boost your immune system due to its powerful antioxidants and anti-bacterial properties. It stimulates the immune system into action and promotes a healthy digestive system which acts as 70% of the body’s immune system. In many cases, the antibacterial properties of honey have been more than effective warding off streptococcus and staph aureus in the human body.

Are you hungry for a desert that’s an immune boosting machine? Mix one or two teaspoons of honey with Greek yogurt. You will reap the benefits of honey and add beneficial protein and probiotics to your system.

Note of caution: 10% of honey contains dormant Clostridium botulisum spores, which can cause botulism in infants. You should avoid giving honey to children younger than a year old.

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