Benefits of Honey.

Having seen the nutritional composition of honey in Honey, it is evident that nutritional benefits of honey are bound to be many. Besides the nutritional benefits, medicinal benefits of honey also contribute to making one tablespoon of honey a must in your everyday diet.

An important factor is that your honey should be pure and only then these health benefits of honey will accrue. Raw honey is ideal and do also educate yourself on which Honey to Buy and how to test its purity.

Health Benefits of Honey.

1) Honey Benefits as an  Energy Booster.

Here honey acts in two positive ways, in the sense that, on consumption, it gives immediate energy and also sustains it for a prolonged period. Honey contains glucose and fructose. Glucose is absorbed immediately which results in an immediate energy release, while fructose in honey is absorbed gradually which gives sustained energy. One tablespoon of contains 64 calories against one tablespoon of sugar which has 15 calories. And please know that calorie is an unit of energy.

2) Honey Improves Your Auto Immune System.

Due to its antioxidant properties, honey neutralizes the free radicals which are released during the body metabolism. These free radicals are unstable molecules and do nothing but harm the body systems and organs. Due to this anti oxidant property of honey, eradication of free radicals help in building up your body immunity.

3) Honey is naturally anti bacterial and anti fungal.

These properties of honey makes honey useful for local applications on wounds and ulcers. Honey promotes wound healing and reduces inflammation and scarring.

4) Honey as a sweetener.

Honey will be healthier alternative to sugar as a sweetener in foods and drinks. Honey has 69% of glucose and fructose together. In comparison to refined sugar, honey has nutrients as well, while the same cannot be said of refined sugar.

5) Benefits of Honey on weight loss.

One tablespoon of honey contains 130 calories while one tablespoon of sugar contains 64 calories. This is the paradox here that though honey contains more calories, it helps to lose weight and though sugar contains less calories, it promotes weight gain.

The reason is that sugar has ”empty calories”, that is calories but no nutrients. To digest sugar, nutrients like vitamins and minerals are drawn from the body reserves and there is therefore depletion of these nutrients. Nutrients required for dissolving the stored fats and cholesterol become insufficient. You therefore gain weight when you consume more sugar. Honey, on the other hand contains these nutrients in sufficient quantities, which help to dissolve the fats and cholesterol.

6) Benefits of Honey on Skin.

Honey improves the skin complexion, protects it and gives it a healthier glow.

• Honey is an ideal cleansing agent due to its hygroscopic properties. It absorbs the impurities from the skin pores.
• Honey protects the skin from the damaging effects of the UV rays of sunlight.
• Honey  promotes the repair process of the skin. It also adds softness to the skin complexion.
• Honey, by its antioxidant properties neutralizes the free radicals which cause damage to the skin and cause ageing of the skin.
• Honey is hygroscopic in nature and therefore has the ability to retain moisture. It, therefore forms an important ingredient of honey moisturizers and honey creams.
• Applying a mix of equal parts of honey and milk on the face will help you get that skin glow.
• Useful in treating acne.

7) Honey in treatment of sore throat and cough.

In a study, children between the age of 2 and 18 years, who had upper respiratory tract infection were given a single daily night dose of buckwheat honey. There was marked improvement from the second day itself. Buckwheat honey is very dark in color (almost black) and is derived from bees which have fed on buckwheat flowers.

Picture of buckwheat honey.

Picture of buckwheat flowers.

Honey Benefits on Diabetes.

It is important to affirm here that we are talking of pure raw honey and not honey adulterated with sugar and water or corn syrup. Though one tablespoon of raw honey contains 17 grams of carbohydrates, honey is beneficial in diabetes because it helps in better regulation or control of blood sugar. Studies conducted indicate that sugar can be given as a healthier alternative to sugar and sweeteners in diabetics.

• Levulose, an important constituent of honey, is absorbed very slowly into the blood and there is considerable delay in transforming it into glucose. This does not, therefore cause an immediate rise in blood sugar. This is based on experimental evidence with experts opining in favor of honey.
• Honey also helps diabetics in restoring glycogen. Glycogen is  formed in the liver from blood glucose and stored in the liver and muscles. It serves as an energy depot which supplies energy to the body when required, for example during strenuous exercise or during hard physical work. However, conflicting opinions do exist on the benefits of honey in diabetics.

9) Honey benefits on digestive tract.

Honey is believed to show improvement in treatment of certain ailments such as indigestion, diarrhea and ulcers.

10) Honey Benefits in insomnia.

One tablespoon of honey with a glass of milk at night has a calming effect and helps to induce sleep.

Certain uses of honey as advocated in Ayurvedic medicine.

• Honey benefits eyesight. Take a mixture of honey and carrot juice daily on an empty stomach.
• Honey benefits on asthma. Mix ½ gram of ground black pepper with equal quantities of honey and ginger juice. Take it thrice a day.
• Honey benefits on blood pressure. Mix one teaspoon of garlic juice with 2 teaspoons of honey. Drink it twice a day to regulate your blood pressure.
• Honey benefits on cough. A mixture of honey and ginger juice in equal quantities acts as a good expectorant.
• Honey benefits on the bowels. One tablespoon of honey and one whole squeezed lemon is to be mixed well in one glass of warm water and should be had everyday in the morning on an empty stomach. This helps proper evacuation of the bowels. It also helps to burn fat and purifies the blood by getting rid of the toxins.

Benefits of Honey are so diverse that drinking that one table spoon of pure raw organic honey becomes a must. It is hardly an effort!

Related posts:

1. Manuka Honey and its Benefits.
2. Clover Honey and its Benefits.
3. Honey and its Composition.
4. How to Choose Honey.
5. Raw Honey.
6. Honey and Cinnamon.
7. Cinnamon – Health Benefits.
8. Black Tea – Health Benefits.