10 Surprising Health Benefits Of Honey

Honey contains a number of antioxidants, such as phenolic compounds like flavonoids. Generally, processed honey and dark varieties offer more important bioactive plant compounds than lighter varieties. Compared to other varieties, manuka honey has bioactive and antioxidant effects.

Antioxidants aid in balancing ROS (reactive oxygen species), which can develop in cells and cause injury. This damage can lead to conditions like type 2 diabetes, premature aging, and heart disease. So, the antioxidant capacity of this sweet food contributes to preventing some acute and chronic illnesses such as allergic, inflammatory, thrombotic, cancer, and others.

Honey is rich in antioxidants connected to beneficial effects on heart health, including improved blood flow to your heart and a decreased risk of blood clot formation. Consuming this sweet food may result in modest drops in blood pressure, an important risk factor for heart disease.

It also improves fat level, prevent the extinction of healthy cells, and regulate your heartbeat. High triglycerides are a risk factor for heart disease and type 2 diabetes. Raw honey includes propolis, which can lower triglyceride levels and improve cholesterol when used as a sugar replacement. All these factors stimulate your heart function.

Honey seems to have a favorable effect on cholesterol levels. It leads to subtle decreases in total and bad LDL cholesterol while raising good HDL cholesterol. It has fewer calories than white sugar, leading to lower bad cholesterol levels.

Also, honey has been shown to reduce LDL cholesterol levels by 6% and 11% triglyceride levels while potentially boosting HDL cholesterol levels. Raw honey contains propolis, which has the potential to decrease triglyceride levels. As a result, consuming this sweet food helps to manage high cholesterol levels and blood sugar levels.

Honey is less harmful than sugar for diabetes, as it offers little benefits over regular sugar. Just like other sugar, honey increases your blood sugar level, but the antioxidants in this sweet food aid in protecting against type 2 diabetes and metabolic syndrome.

It may raise hormone-like adiponectin levels that lower inflammation and enhance blood sugar regulation. Also, regular intake of this food may fasten blood sugar levels in the individual with type 2 diabetes. Although honey is slightly healthier than refined sugar, people with diabetes should have it in moderate amounts.

Honey is very healthy for your eyes as it reduces inflammation and itch and even kills toxic bacteria that lead to eye infections. Its antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties are effective for several eye illnesses.

• Corneal ulcers: In addition to its antimicrobial effects, it has wound healing properties, which are suited to cure corneal ulcers, as it can fight infections that may be generating soreness.
• Blepharitis: Manuka honey has the potential to get rid of blepharitis, a disease that induces burning and swelling around the eyelash line.
• Dry eye: Honey helps to lower redness and pain in the individual with chronic dry eyes.
• Pink eye: Honey has antimicrobial effects, which can combat a bacterial eye infection, prevent it from spreading, lessen redness, and speed healing. As a result, it works against conjunctivitis effectively.

Honey has been used for wound and burn healing since ancient times, a practice that continues today. When used on the skin, it can be an effective remedy for burns, injuries, and other skin conditions. It is most helpful in treating partial-thickness burns and post-surgical infections.

Among various varieties, manuka honey may have a positive impact on burn treatments. The antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, and antioxidant properties can lessen infection risk, minimize scarring, and speed healing. If you have a wound or burn, clean the area or rinse with cold water in the case of a burn and apply a little honey to the area. The pain of the wound or burn will be relieved, and the skin will recover very fast.

Raw honey is good for your gut health. It doesn't ferment in the stomach, unlike refined sugars, which can upset the digestive tract. Also, it has an alkaline-forming effect, distinct from processed honey, which has an acid-forming effect. Therefore, raw honey can help battle inflammation.

In addition, it includes oligosaccharides that can function as a prebiotic, a fuel source crucial for beneficial bacteria in the digestive system. Besides this, it retains small amounts of polyphenols that guard good bacteria and replace bad ones.

Feeling unwell, try consuming a spoonful of honey with each meal or in your tea or herbal tea. Honey has the capacity to boost your immune system, including assisting with a cough or sore. This natural sweetener is abundant in antioxidants and antibacterial effects that can help combat harmful bacteria.

It can also provide comfort for a sore throat with its anti-inflammatory effects. So, by adding honey to your daily routine, you can promote your overall wellness and support your immune system. 

Consuming organic raw honey can benefit your brain in more ways than only one. The antioxidants included in honey safeguard the nerve cells and brain from damage. It not only improves your brain functioning but also plays a vital role in generating neuroprotective effects in your mind.

As a result, it helps to lower mental disorders like anxiety, depression, strokes, and Alzheimer's disease. It even supports the stability of the central nervous system.

Some benefits of honey for your brain include:

• Treat insomnia
• Advanced mind well-being and capacity
• Develop memory function
• Lower tension and mitigating pressure

Feeding honey to your kid can help in growth and development. As loaded with essential vitamins and minerals, it benefits your growing kids. The amino acids in the honey support your kid's growth. It enhances their memory, reduces anxiety, and improves your baby's performance.

Children show a better capacity to tolerate honey, and consuming it can lower digestive issues by thining bowel movements, increasing calcium intake, and building immunity. So, this natural sweetener can be a better substitute for sweets for your baby. However, children under one year old cannot eat honey due to the risk of botulism.

The sweet, thick liquid made by honeybees honey is inadequate in vitamins and minerals but may be high in some plant compounds. As well as being good, it has antimicrobial properties.

Serving one tablespoon (20 grams) of honey supplies:

• Calories: 61
• Carbs: 17 g
• Fiber: 0 g
• Fat: 0 g
• Protein: 0 g
• Riboflavin (Vitamin B2): 1% of the Daily Value (DV)
• Copper: 1% of DV

So this vital pure sugar is only a trace amount of fiber and protein with no fat. It includes a small portion of some nutrients. Nevertheless, it’s rich in health-stimulating plant compounds called polyphenols.

Honey offers numerous health benefits and is often considered a healthy substitute for sugar. However, consuming too much may cause side effects due to its elevated sugar and calorie content.

• Weight gain: Honey is high in calories, as one tablespoon of honey provides 64 calories. So, if you overconsume this natural sweetener, it can lead to weight gain and an increase in cholesterol levels.
• Increase blood sugar levels: Consumption of honey in the long term raises your hemoglobin A1C in the blood, which may yield a spike in blood sugar levels.
• Allergies: Honey reactions are rare, but the person allergic to pollen should not eat honey as it may lead to life-threatening conditions like skin rashes, nausea, vomiting, coughing, headache, fatigue, dizziness, etc.
• Diarrhea: Honey retains fructose in excess of glucose, which may lead to insufficient fructose absorption in the body.
• Food poisoning: Naturally, this sweet liquid possesses antimicrobial properties, but it could hold secondary contamination.

It is best to replace other forms of sugar with honey and consume it in moderation. Choose high-quality honey that doesn't contain added syrup or artificial sweeteners.