Simple Overview:
Honey is made by bees through the process called nectar collection. The bees transport the nectar back to the hive, where it is stored in honeycombs. In the honeycombs, the bees add enzymes and water to the nectar, which causes it to ferment. The fermentation process changes the composition of the nectar and gives honey its characteristic sweetness and flavor, and creates the many health benefits we gain by regularly consuming honey.
Honey, as we all know, is a wonderful, natural sweetener. But, did you know, its sweetness level is higher than sugar and, per serving, we use less honey than we would sugar. Also, per serving, it is lower in calories than sugar and it has a lower glycemic level than sugar.
Why this is important:
It has a number of health benefits, including:
- Boosting the immune system: Honey contains antioxidants which helps protect cells from damage. It also contains vitamin C, which is an essential nutrient for the immune system.
- Promoting wound healing: Honey has antibacterial and antifungal properties that can help promote wound healing.
- Improving heart health: Honey helps lower cholesterol levels and reduce the risk of heart disease. This is thought to be due to its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties.
- Regulating blood sugar levels: Honey helps regulate blood sugar levels in people with type 2 diabetes. This is due to its ability to slow down the absorption of glucose into the bloodstream.
- Improving digestion: Honey is a good source of fiber, which can help improve digestion and relieve symptoms of constipation and diarrhea.
- Promoting weight loss: Honey helps to promote weight loss by suppressing appetite and increasing our metabolism.
Basic details:
The following is a key word summary of the benefits of honey:
Protective:
- antiviral
- antibiotic
- anticancer
- antifungal
- antiobesity
- antioxidant
- antidiabetic
- antibacterial
- antimicrobial
- anti-inflammatory
Enhances:
- healthy aging
- prebiotic properties
- helps lower cholesterol
- helps maintain GI health
- wound-healing properties
- helps increase testosterone levels
- helps prevent periodontal disease
Improves:
- mental fatigue and depression
- positive effects on the cardiovascular system, nervous system, and respiratory system
Into the details:
The science behind these benefits:
The following excerpt have been compiled from research papers and studies found on the website https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/ . PubMed® comprises more than 35 million citations for biomedical literature from MEDLINE, life science journals, and online books. PubMed® in a website of the National Center for Biotechnology Center, of the National Library of Medicine, of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS).
There are over 16,742 trials, analyses, and scientific reviews of “Honey” found on PubMed. Here are a few:
“Towards a better understanding of the therapeutic applications and corresponding mechanisms of action of honey”
PMID: 29101693 2017 Nov 3
Abstract: Honey is different in color, flavor, sensory perception, and medical response. Apart from highlighting the nutritional facts of honey, we collected the finding of the published literature to know the mechanism of action of honey in different diseases. This review covers the composition, physiochemical characteristics, and some medical uses.
Today, honey has been scientifically proven for its antioxidant, regulation of glycemic response, antitumor, antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, and cardiovascular potentiating agent. It can be used as a wound dressing and healing substance.
“Antibacterial components of honey”
PMID: 22095907 2011 Nov 17
Abstract: The antibacterial activity of honey has been known since the 19th century. Recently, the potent activity of honey against antibiotic-resistant bacteria has further increased the interest for application of honey, but incomplete knowledge of the antibacterial activity is a major obstacle for clinical applicability.
The high sugar concentration, hydrogen peroxide, and the low pH are well-known antibacterial factors in honey and more recently, methylglyoxal and the antimicrobial peptide bee defensin-1 were identified as important antibacterial compounds in honey.
“Traditional and Modern Uses of Natural Honey in Human Diseases: A Review”
PMID: 23997898 2013 Jun
Abstract: Honey has been reported to have an inhibitory effect on around 60 species of bacteria, some species of fungi and viruses. Antioxidant capacity of honey is important in many disease conditions and is due to a wide range of compounds including phenolics, peptides, organic acids, enzymes, and Maillard reaction products. Honey has also been used in some gastrointestinal, cardiovascular, inflammatory and neoplastic states. This review covers the composition, physico-chemical properties and the most important uses of natural honey in human diseases.
“Honey, Propolis, and Royal Jelly: A Comprehensive Review of Their Biological Actions and Health Benefits”
PMID: 28814983 2017 Jul 26
Abstract:
Background: There are several health benefits that honeybee products such as honey, propolis, and royal jelly claim toward various types of diseases in addition to being food.
Key findings and conclusions: An overview of honey, propolis, and royal jelly and their biological potentials was highlighted. The potential health benefits of honey, such as microbial inhibition, wound healing, and its effects on other diseases, are described.