Description
Since ancient times, 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 **0% empty calories.
Benefits
1. Honey Contains Some Nutrients
Honey is a sweet, thick liquid made by honeybees.
The bees collect sugar mainly the sugar-rich nectar of flowers from
their environment .
Once inside the beehive, they repeatedly consume, digest and
regurgitate the nectar.
The end product is honey, a liquid that serves as stored food for
bees. The smell, color and taste depend on the types of flowers
visited.
Nutritionally, 1 tablespoon of honey (*1 grams) contains *4
calories and *7 grams of sugar, including fructose, glucose,
maltose and sucrose.
It contains virtually no fiber, fat or protein.
It also contains trace amounts under 1% of the RDI of several
vitamins and minerals, but you would have to eat many pounds to
fulfill your daily requirements.
Where honey shines is in its content of bioactive plant compounds
and antioxidants. Darker types tend to be even higher in these
compounds than lighter types .
2. High-Quality Honey Is Rich in Antioxidants
High-quality honey contains many important antioxidants. These
include organic acids and phenolic compounds like flavonoids.
The combination of these compounds gives honey its antioxidant
power.
Interestingly, two studies have shown that buckwheat honey
increases the antioxidant value of your blood.
Antioxidants have been linked to reduced risk of heart attacks,
strokes and some types of cancer. They may also promote eye
health.
3. Honey Is "Less Bad" Than Sugar for
Diabetics
The evidence on honey and diabetes is mixed.
On one hand, it can reduce several risk factors for heart disease
common in people with type 2 diabetes.
While honey may be slightly better than refined sugar for people
with diabetes, it should still be consumed with caution.
In fact, people with diabetes may do best by minimizing all
high-carb foods
4. The Antioxidants in It Can Help Lower Blood
Pressure
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 lower blood pressure.
Humans have shown modest reductions in blood pressure from
consuming honey.
5. Honey Also Helps Improve Cholesterol
High LDL cholesterol levels is a strong risk factor for heart
disease.
This type of cholesterol plays a major role in atherosclerosis, the
fatty buildup in your arteries that can lead to heart attacks and
strokes.
Interestingly, several studies show that honey may improve your
cholesterol levels.
It reduces total and bad LDL cholesterol while significantly
raising good HDL cholesterol.
6. Honey Can Lower Triglycerides
Elevated blood triglycerides are another risk factor for heart
disease.
They are also associated with insulin resistance, a major driver of
type 2 diabetes.
Triglyceride levels tend to increase on a diet high in sugar and
refined carbs.
Interestingly, multiple studies have linked regular honey
consumption with lower triglyceride levels, especially when it is
used to replace sugar.
7. The Antioxidants in It Are Linked to Other Beneficial
Effects on Heart Health
Again, honey is a rich source of phenols and other antioxidant
compounds. Many of these have been linked to a reduced risk of
heart disease.
They may help the arteries in your heart dilate, increasing blood
flow to your heart. They may also help prevent blood clot
formation, which can lead to heart attacks and strokes .
8. Honey Promotes Burn and Wound Healing
Topical honey treatment has been used to heal wounds and burns
since ancient Egypt and is still common today.
Topical honey healed a whopping *7% of patients diabetic
ulcers.
Honeys healing powers come from its antibacterial and
anti-inflammatory effects as well as its ability to nourish
surrounding tissue.
What's more, it can help treat other skin conditions, including
psoriasis and herpes lesions.
Manuka honey is considered especially effective for treating burn
wounds.
9. Honey Can Help Suppress Coughs in Children
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, mainstream medications for cough are not always effective
and can have side effects. Interestingly, honey may be a better
choice, and evidence indicates it is very effective.
One study found that honey worked better than two common cough
medications. It reduced cough symptoms and improved sleep more
than cough medication.
