A natural sweetener made by bees, honey comes in 300-plus variants ranging in color and flavor. For many, honey is a perfect substitute for sugar and a great addition to tea.
But did you know that honey comes with a multitude of health benefits, as well? Not only can honey be consumed orally to improve a cough or sore throat, it can also be used topically to help treat light burns and injuries. Enjoying a spoonful a day could make a difference to your health. Read on to learn more.
There would hardly be any person who has not consumed honey at least once in a lifetime. Honey is no less than a boon for health. It has many antioxidants and medicinal properties that help to cure numerous health problems. Honey is suitable for all seasons. Read more to know the amazing health benefits of honey.
# Diabetes TreatmentYes, honey is a sugar and sugar is usually thought of as a bad thing when it comes to diabetes. However, some studies are showing that honey might actually help diabetes.
Honey has shown to raise good cholesterol while lowering the bad, it also lowers inflammation and triglycerides. On the note that honey is a sugar and can raise the blood sugar levels slightly, people with diabetes should be careful of how much honey they intake
# Fewer TriglyceridesReplacing sugar with honey as often as you can is a great way to lessen the amount of triglycerides you consume in a day. Triglycerides are bad for a couple of reasons. They can interfere with insulin resistance, which can help lead to type two diabetes and they can drastically raise your chances of getting a heart disease.
# Lower Blood PressureBecause of the high number of antioxidants in honey, its good for lowering blood pressure. High blood pressure can lead to heart disease and other complications.
# Burns and WoundsHoney can be used to induce the healing of minor burns, diabetic ulcers, minor wounds, and infection after surgery. There is some controversy that comes with this as some doctor think that the lather of honey can actually keep heat from a burn in the skin, so it might be best to talk to a professional before using honey to treat a burn.
# Child CoughsHoney has antioxidants that can help to fight infection. Honey can also coat the throat and soothe coughs. This method should not be used on children younger than a year old. This is because infants cannot digest honey properly.
# Gastrointestinal DisordersHoney can help to keep gastrointestinal disorders and things like stomach ulcers at bay because of the antioxidant properties.
# AthletesHoney has been used since the times of the ancient Greece (alongside figs) to increase how athletic performances. This was found to be true because the honey improves recovery time and maintains glycogen levels
# Equivalent ExchangeHoney does not have an overabundance of healthy minerals and vitamins, but it does have antioxidants and bioactive plant compounds.
# AntioxidantsAntioxidants can do amazing things for the body and they should be given more credit. The antioxidants in honey are made in part of enzymes, organic acids, phenols and flavonoids. These together could help to reduce chances of various kinds of cancer, strokes and heart attacks, and increase the health of your eyes.
# ModerationHoney, though it has many medicinal properties, is also high in calories and carbs. So while it is healthier for you than say high-fructose corn syrup, it can still be bad for you if you consume too much of it.
# ProbioticNot only is honey an antioxidant, it also turns out to be a probiotic. It is a probiotic because of the four kinds of bifidobacteria and six types of lactobacilli.
# Different KindsThere are a number of different kinds of honey, and each of them vary from the last in different ways, not just in what they do but also where they are from. Wildflower honey is Kosher; Manuka honey is good for the immune system; Black Locust honey is known for having the lowest glycemic count of any honey. Darker honeys have higher levels of antioxidants.