This raw natural liquid is thick and gold in color. Some even refer to it as “Liquid Gold.” It’s used by countless cultures all around the world. You can’t go to a country and they don’t know what it is. It’s naturally sweet, has numerous health benefits and can be used as both food and a medicine.
It gives you energy when you have none and protects you from some of the major diseases known to man.
If you’re not using it, it’s time to start doing so because it’s a remarkable healing agent for all sorts of ailments. Although it is high in sugar, there are numerous antioxidants and organic compounds that make it well worth consuming.
What is it…
It’s honey and people have been using it for its antibacterial and antifungal properties since the ancient times. In fact the Greeks, Romans and Egyptians documented the healing properties of honey as early as Aristotle’s mention of it in 384 BC.
Scientists are researching it’s benefits in relation to modern medicine, particularly in the healing of wounds. It’s very popular all around the world.
What Makes it So Popular…
Most likely it is the ease with which it can be consumed. And the fact that its natural helps it even more. You can eat it directly, mix it in your tea or with a juice or any drink instead of sugar, or on breads and biscuits. It is savored by all due to its taste as well as health benefits, making it extremely useful and versatile.
The health benefits of honey are quite impressive, and since it is such a concentrated source of nutrients, it can be added to different meals. Honey is able to:
- Monitor blood sugar levels
- Increase energy in a healthy and sustainable way
- Soothe inflammation throughout the body
- Protect heart health
- Speed the healing process of wounds
- Prevent infections
There are many health benefits that comes with using honey and I’m sure you will be surprised by some of them.
Here are more health benefits and how you will improve by using it…
Antioxidant Properties
It contains nutraceuticals, which are very effective for the removal of free radicals from the body. As a result, our body’s immunity is improved against many conditions, even potentially fatal ones like cancer or heart disease.
Studies have shown that honey contains the disease-fighting antioxidant flavonoids pinocembrin, pinostrobin and chrysin. Pinocembrin supports enzyme activity, and many studies have shown that pinocembrin induces apoptosis (programmed cell death) of many types of cancer cells.
Laboratory research suggests that chrysin may increase the male hormone testosterone and improve bodybuilding results, but human research hasn’t found any effect on testosterone levels.
Skin Care
Milk and honey are often served together since both of these ingredients help in creating smooth, beautiful skin. Consuming this combination every morning is a common practice in many countries for this very reason.
Speed Wound Healing
Significant research is being carried out to study its benefits in the treatment of wounds and the Nursing Standard explains some of these in wound management in the document. These have been listed below:
Honey possesses antimicrobial properties.
It helps in promoting autolytic debridement.
It deodorizes malodorous wounds.
It speeds up the healing process by stimulating wound tissues.
It helps in initiating the healing process in dormant wounds.
It also helps in promoting moist wound healing.
These healing powers are not overstated. The Waikato Honey Research Unit provides details about the worldwide research that is being carried out on the benefits of honey in medicine. Furthermore, BBC reported in July of 2006 that doctors at the Christie Hospital in Didsbury, Manchester are planning to use it for faster recovery of cancer patients after surgery. Such research will provide scientific evidence for the beliefs held by honey lovers all over the world and will help in propagating the benefits to more people.
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 blood pressure lowering effects.
Studies in both rats and humans have shown modest reductions in blood pressure from consuming honey.
Improves Cholesterol
Having high LDL cholesterol levels is an important risk factor for heart disease. It plays a major role in atherosclerosis, the fatty buildup in the arteries that can lead to heart attacks and strokes.
Interestingly, several studies have shown that honey can improve your cholesterol levels. It reduces total and LDL cholesterol, while significantly raising HDL (the “good”) cholesterol.
For example, one study in 55 patients compared honey to table sugar. It found that it caused a 5.8% reduction in LDL and a 3.3% increase in HDL. It also caused weight loss of 1.3%, compared to sugar.
Honey Can Lower Triglycerides
Elevated blood triglycerides are another major risk factor for heart disease. They are also a key sign of insulin resistance, a major driver of type 2 diabetes.
Triglyceride levels tend to increase on a diet that is 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.
For example, one study that compared honey and sugar found 11-19% lower triglyceride levels in the honey group.
Anti-Inflammatory Effects
Raw honey contains substantial amounts of compounds such as flavonoids and other polyphenols which may function as anti-oxidants. In Malaysia, there are several types of honey, including Tualang, Nenas, Coconut and Gelam. Among these, Tualang and Gelam honeys are well known in Malaysia for their anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory activities.
In a recent study, it has been reported that honey reduced the activities of cyclooxygenase-1 and cyclooxygenase-2, thus showing anti-inflammatory effects.
Furthermore, ingestion of diluted natural honey has produced reductions on concentrations of prostaglandins such as PGE2 (prostaglandin E2), PGF2a (prostaglandin F2a) and thromboxane B2 in plasma of normal individuals.
Interestingly, in an inflammatory model of colitis, honey was as effective as prednisolone treatment. While NSAIDS and corticosteroids may have many serious side effects, honey has an anti-inflammatory action free from major side effects.
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 infection.
Weight Loss
Though it has more calories than sugar, when consumed with warm water honey helps in digesting the fat stored in your body. Similarly, honey with lemon juice or cinnamon helps in reducing weight.
Improves Athletic Performance
Recent research has shown that honey is an excellent ergogenic aid and helps in boosting the performance of athletes. It is a great way to maintain blood sugar levels, muscle recuperation, and glycogen restoration after a workout, as well as regulate the amount of insulin in the body.
Pure honey is one of God’s natural healing agents. Although it’s high in sugar, the numerous antioxidants and organic compounds make it well worth consuming. But it should be pure. Pure honey is unprocessed, which you may not find in the many major labels and brands.
Locally produced honey, otherwise known as raw (organic) honey, is considered the healthiest type of honey you could possibly buy. It does not contain any pesticides or environmental pollutants. Since it does not go through the traditional process for safety, these standards are upheld for honey to be considered organic. Also, non-organic sugar or antibiotics are not used at any point in “organic honey.”
King Solomon states in Proverbs 24:13
My son, eat thou honey, because it is good; and the honeycomb, which is sweet to thy taste:
