Honey is a natural sweetener, a sweet food produced by honey bees using the nectar of the flowers. It has more than 600 active compounds that benefit our health and plays an important role in Ayurveda. It can be consumed in different ways, and provide many health and beauty benefits due to the abundance of essential nutrients.
# May Help With Weight LossDespite being high in calories ( 304 calories per 100 grams), honey promotes weight loss when consumed appropriately and in small doses.For weight loss, drink one glass of warm water with a small amount of lemon juice and honey added to it on an empty stomach.
It improves digestion, accelerates metabolism to burn off stored fat cells, and promotes weight loss.
# Reduces Cough And Throat IrritationThe antimicrobial and soothing properties of honey help in reducing cough and throat irritation in children.As per a study involving 139 children, children who took buckwheat honey showed more improvement and were able to sleep peacefully at night without getting troubled by cough in comparison to another group that took cough suppressant dextromethorphan (DM)
Another study published in Pediatrics revelated that children who took two teaspoons of honey 30 minutes before bed were less likely to lose sleep due to cough in comparison to the rest of the children who didn’t take honey prevent prevents.
# Honey Boost MemoryStudies have found that honey boosts short-term memory.
As per research, 102 healthy menopausal women were divided into different groups. One group was asked to consume 20 grams of honey per day, the second group took hormone replacement therapy containing estrogen and progesterone, and the third group was neither given pills nor honey.
# Heal Wounds & Burns
Honey helps in treating wounds and burns.As per a Norwegian study, Norwegian honey and medihoney were able to kill strains of bacteria in a wound.
In another study,58 out of 59 patients suffering from wounds and leg ulcers showed remarkable improvement on treatment with unprocessed honey.As per WebMD, honey can be applied directly or in a dressing ( that gets changed every 24 to 48 hours) for treating burns and wounds.While applying honey directly, cover it with sterile gauze and bandages or polyurethane dressing.
# Contain Essential NutrientsHoney is an abundant source of essential nutrients that provide many health and beauty benefits.As per the National Honey Board, some major vitamins and minerals present in honey are Niacin, Riboflavin, Pantothenic acid, Calcium, Copper, Iron, Magnesium, Manganese, Phosphorus, Zinc, and Potassium.
Honey is a better alternative to conventional sugar as unlike white sugar it is not deprived of nutrients and is not just empty calories.
# Potentially Prevents Low White Blood Cell count And Increase Red Blood cellsRegular and moderate intake of honey boosts the production of red blood cells and prevents the white blood cell count from reducing.As per a small trial, 40 percent of cancer patients with a risk of low blood count showed great improvement in their blood count level on consuming two teaspoons of therapeutic honey every day during chemotherapy sessions.
Taking honey with lukewarm water increases the production of red blood cells, and reduces the risk of blood disorders such as iron-induced anemia.
# May Relieve Seasonal AllergiesTraces of flower pollen and exposure to small amounts of allergens in honey helps them combat seasonal allergic reactions.The anti-inflammatory properties of honey provide relief from cough and throat infections caused by allergens.In this way, honey may help in relieving seasonal allergies.
# Help With Alcohol Metabolism As per the NYU Langone Medical center, honey increases our body’s ability to effectively metabolize alcohol.Honey helps in rapidly dropping alcohol levels in the blood vessels and suppresses the effect of intoxication.