Since ancient times, honey has always been perceived as having several health benefits. Apart from being a good source of food, it is also a great substitute for medicine.
How is honey produced exactly?
Honey is made by the nectar of flowering plants. Through its long tube shaped tongue, the bee sucks the sugary liquid from the flowers and stores it in its extra stomach. Once inside the beehive, the bees consume, digest and regurgitate the nectar into another bee’s mouth. This regurgitation process continues until the nectar is finally deposited into a honeycomb.
Here are only but a few health benefits of honey.
Good for a cold.
Nothing is really as soothing as some honey combined with warm water when you are sick with a cold. The properties of honey make curing a cold easier and faster. It also reduces cough and throat irritation. Apart from that, it just tastes good!
High in antioxidants.
Honey of a certain quality contains vital antioxidants. Such antioxidants are associated with improved heart health and reduce the chances of strokes and certain types of cancer. In addition to this, such antioxidants are conducive for eye health.
The antioxidants also promote reductions in blood pressure. Studies conducted on both humans and rats show a reduction of blood pressure after honey is consumed.
Enhances brain function.
The properties of honey are beneficial in promoting brain health. Honey is ideal to combat brain-related conditions such as dementia and cognitive decline. It is described as a great source of brain fuel and is also ideal in getting a good night’s sleep.
Improves cholesterol
High cholesterol may be problematic and can create heart problems. Several studies show that honey can significantly improve your cholesterol levels, raising good cholesterol whilst diluting bad cholesterol.
Soothes burns and wounds
Yes it does! Honey treatment has been applied to treat wounds and burns since the time of ancient Egypt! This practice is still applied today. This is due to the antibacterial and anti-inflammatory effects, making it ideal to tend to body tissue.
Great for hangover
We all know that feeling of a rough night out. Sometimes we drink more than we should, leading to a splitting headache and bad stomach in the morning. Honey helps with the sobering process, slowly pushing away the negative feels of a hangover.
If these guys knew about honey, the movie would have been 15 minutes long!
Tasty
Apart from the health benefits, honey is tasty and delicious, being a much healthier alternative to sugar.
With a number of benefits which showcase honey as a healthy dietary choice, you may be inclined to seek for opportunities, where you can combine honey in your daily eating routine.
