VALUE OF NATURAL HONEY
Raw
honey is the unpasteurized version of commonly used honey and only
differs in its filtration, which helps extend its shelf life. A
tablespoon of raw honey contains 64 calories, is fat-free,
cholesterol-free, and sodium-free, says the National Honey Board . Its
composition is roughly 80 percent carbohydrates, 18 percent water, and
two percent vitamins, minerals, and amino acids.
1. ALLEVIATES ALLERGIES
Honey’s anti-inflammatory effects and ability to soothe coughs has led
to the belief it can also reduce seasonal allergy symptoms. Although
there are no clinical studies proving its efficacy, Dr. Matthew
Brennecke, a board certified naturopathic doctor practicing at the
Rocky Mountain Wellness Center in Fort Collins, Colo., told Medical
Daily in an email, "A common theory is that honey acts like a natural
vaccine." It contains small amounts of pollen, which if the body is
exposed to small amounts of it, it can trigger an immune response that
produces antibodies to the pollen. "After repeated exposure, you should
build up these antibodies and the body should become accustomed to their
presence so that less histamine is released, resulting in a lesser
allergic response."
2. ALL-NATURAL ENERGY DRINK
Honey is an
excellent source of all-natural energy at just 17 grams of carbohydrates
per tablespoon. This natural unprocessed sugar — fructose and glucose —
directly enter the bloodstream and can deliver a quick boost of energy.
The rise in blood sugar acts as a short-term energy source for your
workout, especially in longer endurance exercises.
Brennecke said
there is a con to adding honey to your workout. “If your goal in
exercising is to increase muscle mass, working out on an empty stomach
first thing in the morning is the way to go. When your body is in
starvation mode (upon waking in morning), and you start exercising, you
release insulin-like growthfactor-1 (IGF-1), which will help you build
bulk,” he said. Brennecke does warn this only works when blood sugars
are low.
3. BOOSTS MEMORY
The sweet nectar is loaded in antioxidants that may help prevent cellular damage and loss within the brain.
A 2011 study published in
Menopause found a daily spoonful of Malaysian honey may boost
postmenopausal women’s memory, which can provide an alternative therapy
for the hormone-related intellectual decline.
After four months of
taking 20 grams of honey a day, the women were more likely to have
better short-term memory than their counterparts who took hormone pills.
Honey’s ability to help the body absorb calcium, according to
Brennecke, helps aid brain health. The brain needs calcium in order to
process thought and make decisions. “As our populations continue to get
older and older, the likelihood of dementia setting in because of poor
intake of vitamins and minerals continues to get higher and higher,” he
said.
4. COUGH SUPPRESSANT
Honey can be the all-natural cure
when it comes to pesky colds. A persistent cough that won’t go away can
easily be remedied with two teaspoons of honey, according to a 2012
study published in the journal Pediatrics .
Children between the
ages of 1 and 5 with nighttime cough due to colds coughed less
frequently when they received two teaspoons of honey 30 minutes before
bed.
The golden liquid’s thick consistency helps coat the throat
while the sweet taste is believed to trigger nerve endings that protect
the throat from incessant coughing. Honey is believed to be as effective
as the common cough suppressant ingredient dextromethorphan. It can be
used in treating upper respiratory tract infections.
5. SLEEP AID
Honey can be a health aid for sleepless nights. Similar to sugar, honey
can cause a rise in insulin and release serotonin — a neurotransmitter
that improves mood and happiness.
“The body converts serotonin into
melatonin, a chemical compound that regulates the length and the
quality of sleep,” Rene Ficek, registered dietitian and lead dietitian
nutritionist at Seattle Sutton's Healthy Eating in Chicago, Ill., told
Medical Daily in an email.
Moreover, honey also contains several
amino acids, including tryptophan that is commonly associated with
turkey. Honey’s steady rise in insulin, according to Brennecke, causes
the tryptophan in honey to enter the brain, where it’s then converted
into serotonin and then into melatonin, which is a sleep aid. This
hormone is responsible for regulating sleep and wake cycles.
6. TREATS DANDRUFF
Honey can bring temporary relief to the scalp by targeting dandruff. A
2001 study published in the European Journal of Medical Research found
applying honey diluted with 10 percent warm water to problem areas and
leaving it on for three hours before rinsing led to itch relief and no
scaling within a week.
Skin lesions healed within two weeks and
patients even showed an improvement in hair loss. The patients did not
relapse even after six months of use.
Thanks to honey's
antibacterial and antifungal properties, it can also treat seborrheic
dermatitis and dandruff, which are often caused by an overgrowth of
fungus. Moreover, “honey also has anti-inflammatory properties, which
address the redness and itching on the scalp,” Brennecke said.
7. TREATS WOUNDS AND BURNS
Honey is a natural antibiotic that can act both internally and
externally. It can be used as a conventional treatment for wounds and
burns by disinfecting wounds and sores from major species of bacteria
such as methicillin resistant
Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA).
A
2005 study published in the British Journal of Surgery found all but one
of patients who suffered from wounds and leg ulcers showed remarkable
improvement after applying a topical application of honey.
Dr. Diane
Radford , a breast surgical oncologist in St. Louis, Mo., told Medical
Daily in an email, Manuka honey has antibacterial properties for wound
healing. “The precursor for the active antibacterial agent methylglyoxal
(MGO) comes from the nectar of mānuka trees. A specialized research
unit at the University of Waikato is looking into the conversion to the
active product,” she said.
Honey has been utilized for its medicinal
properties for over 2,000 years and continues its legacy as a
multipurpose health aid.
purchase refined,healthy and natural honey
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