Honey is the only natural sweetener available on market now with a lot of health benefits. The Health benefits of honey are beyond the limits. No refining or other processing techniques are needed before taking this Hi-Fi food item. Honey is the viscous fluid produced by honeybees and contains the nectar of the plant. It is stored in its natural form and consumed whenever you need it.
Many people think honey a weight or glycaemic index riser, but it is not true. Although honey is the sweetest among all sweeteners, yet it contains other functional ingredients too. A large number of antioxidants, amino acids, vitamins, and anti-inflammatory agents are present in honey. This makes honey the best solution for weight loss, wound healings, allergies, and other similar problems.
This article will make you aware of every little thing about honey.
Nutritional facts of honey
The number of nutrients in one tablespoon of honey are:
- Calories: 64
- Fat: 0g
- Sodium: 0mg
- Sugars: 17g
- Protein: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 17g
- Fiber: 0g
Not only this, but honey also contains other minerals like zinc, potassium, and magnesium, etc.
Health benefits of honey
These are some health benefits of honey:
Honey-a great source of antioxidants
Epidemiological studies indicate that the consumption of antioxidants plays a major role in the prevention of degenerative diseases. Honey in this regard is the best source of plant antioxidants. Honey contains more amount of antioxidants than most fruit and vegetables. Antioxidants present in honey are polyphenols that control the risk of heart diseases, inflammation, and immune disorders.
Honey as a cough suppressant
Cough is a common issue in people especially in children that disturbs sleep and peace. It is founded that honey is a natural source to relieve coughs, especially in children. One tablespoon of warm honey helps relieve cough and makes you sleep happily. If taking honey straight is difficult, use Manuka UMF honey or raw honey in warm water as it will bring the same beneficial effect.
Honey aids in allergy
Seasonal allergy is a common problem in some people. These allergic persons always try to use natural remedies than clinical medications. Honey uses are enhanced by considering its benefits in preventing seasonal allergies. This is due to the high amount of anti-inflammatory nutrients in honey.
Does honey help the wound?
Honey contains anti-inflammatory components that help in oral wound healing by its antiseptic properties. It reduces pain, swelling and makes wound healing a natural process. Simply apply local honey on the wound and see its effect; its glucose and fructose will absorb all the water on the wound. Its anti-bacterial properties make external wounds free of infections.
Lemon honey tea for weight loss
Honey combination with other ingredients can help lose weight. Lemon honey tea, honey with ginger tea, cinnamon honey tea or honey with lukewarm water being very effective to reduce weight as it boosts body metabolic rate. One consideration needed is that honey calories are more than other functional foods. One tablespoon of honey provides 64 calories, so always try to take it sparingly for weight loss. But honey controls appetite in many ways. Honey before bed burns fat during sleep and does not add more fat as in the case of refined sugar.
Honey as a skin soother
Skin-friendly foods are high in demand. Why not someone treats its acne with skin-healthy foods than going for beauty treatments?
To the above thoughts, honey with anti-bacterial properties is considered a thrilling choice naturally. Honey treats skin as moisturizer, cleanser, and natural glower to remove patches. Use it all alone or combine it with oatmeal or honey with warm water is homemade natural skin soother. Also, use it on your lips, elbows, and knees and wash after some time. It will remove dryness and provides a scrub-type effect.
Honey for dandruff
Honey water dilution (10% water in honey) application to affected areas can remove dandruff. Apply it for 3-4 hours and then wash it. It will provide a healing effect with itching minimization. Honey can be applied for hair loss too and positive effects are seen within a week.
What about honey roasted nuts?
Nuts are a useful source of functional nutrients being rich in polyunsaturated fatty acids, carbohydrates, and other minerals. Honey roasted peanuts contain less fat per serving as half of the size is taken up by honey coating. Nutritional facts of honey roasted peanuts are:
- Dietary Sugars:4 g
- Carbohydrate:2%
- Fiber: 8%
- Protein:6g
But this also causes loss of polyunsaturated fatty acids and other vitamins during the roasting process. So roasting must be done for the smallest possible time.
Honey versus sugar: who is beneficial?
Sugar is the most used sweetener in the world, but due to its negative health impacts, people are trying to avoid it. Honey is the most commonly used natural sweetener in place of sugar. Here is the question that is honey healthier than sugar?
Both honey and sugar contain glucose and fructose that are broken down in the body and become part of the body. But honey contains less amount of (30%) glucose and fructose (40%) with other antioxidants and minerals. Despite this sugar contains 50% fructose and 50% glucose. Also, honey is a minimally processed natural food item as compared to sugar. This makes honey more health-friendly than sugar, although it provides more calories.
Can honey go bad for babies?
Babies under one year of age may show negative reactions after eating honey. These babies especially those under 6 months of age undergo infant botulism ( a condition caused by intake of Clostridium botulinum bacterial spores). Honey contains Clostridium botulinum, which when given to infants may cause constipation, vomiting, and breathing issues. So it must be avoided giving to infants.
Closure
No doubt, honey is a natural sweetener with functional properties. There are some issues related to it. It must not be given to babies before one year (may cause botulism in some cases), or in the weight loss journey its amount must be taken within limits otherwise it may cause weight gain because of glucose. Although these are small issues, honey’s health benefits are up to the mark.
What are you waiting for? Replace refined sugar with natural honey in your daily diet and enjoy its benefits.