There is no food as sweet as honey that provides so many health benefits.
Bee honey stands out for its properties and benefits for the body, as well as for its energy contribution. This article explains everything there is to know about this ancient and valuable food.
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10 properties and benefits of honey
Bee honey has many properties and benefits . Unfortunately, it cannot be abused much, as it has many calories. However, it is very interesting to incorporate this food in a moderate way in the diet.
Do not forget that it is a food that combines very well with other foods, being very suitable for many preparations. Below you can read all the benefits of honey, which is often a great substitute for sugar.
1. It’s sweet
Who doesn’t like sweet? . Scientific studies have been done on tastes, and evolutionarily we are much more willing to consume sweet foods than salty, acidic or bitter.
The explanation given by science is that sweet natural foods always contain calories. In times when food was not as abundant as it is now, our ancestors had to develop a preference for foods that were sweet. Hence our obsession with sweets.
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2. Gives vitality
This food is ideal to take first thing in the morning . A tablespoon of honey in a ginger infusion with lemon juice is a great way to start the day.
It can also be taken for breakfast, for example with cottage cheese. Any of the options is good, because honey provides a lot of energy. That yes, it is not necessary to abuse in the amount because then too many calories would be taken.
3. Contains many phytochemicals
Bee honey comes from flower pollen . The bees digest this pollen and pass it from one to another through their mouths, which ends up becoming this precious food.
Thanks to the fact that the raw material is found in the flowers, honey contains many phytochemical substances. These provide a multitude of properties and benefits to
4. It has antioxidant and antibacterial properties
The phytochemicals in honey are the source of multiple benefits . First of all, it has antioxidant properties that allow it to fight against free radicals and the oxidation of human body tissues.
On the other hand, its antibacterial properties allow it to fight infections. This is due to substances such as hydrogen peroxide or some flavonoids.
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5. Soothes a sore throat
Resorting to honey is a great idea for those who suffer from a sore throat . A tablespoon of honey in an infusion with a few drops of lemon is perfect for relieving discomfort in this area.
Part of this benefit of honey is due to its antibacterial properties. It is a natural disinfectant that allows you to combat pharyngitis, tonsillitis and other throat conditions.
6. It is a great alternative to sugar
Consuming bee honey is more recommended than taking sugar .
Honey also raises blood sugar levels a lot, although not as much as sugar. Without being an ideal option for people with diabetes, it is better than refined sugar.
7. Helps heal skin wounds
Honey favors the healing of burns and different types of skin wounds . For millennia, honey has been used for healing purposes, being ideal for preventing wound infection.
It has also been shown to be effective in treating ulcers caused by fungus such as athlete’s foot, psoriasis or herpes. These benefits of honey are directly related to its antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties.
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8. It has culinary properties
Honey is a food with many culinary properties . It can be used to prepare sweet desserts instead of sugar, which is always a healthier alternative.
It can also be used to sweeten any type of infusion or smoothie, and there are also many recipes in which it can be used to enrich salads. A vinaigrette with a little honey can be very tasty.
9. Improves cholesterol levels
It has been observed that honey can also improve blood cholesterol levels . In fact, honey can reduce other risk factors related to heart disease, such as triglyceride levels and the risk of heart-related diseases.
However, HDL cholesterol is perhaps the risk factor that you can best control. This type of cholesterol plays an important role in the formation of atherosclerotic plaque. The accumulation of these fats in the arteries can cause heart attacks and cardiovascular accidents.
10. Helps lower blood pressure
Another benefit of honey is due to its properties to lower blood pressure . This is another important risk factor that can lead to serious heart disease.
This benefit has been related to the antioxidant compounds in the food. It is therefore a good idea to incorporate honey into the diet. Of course, it is important not to take more than one tablespoon a day, and only if you are not taking sugar at other times of the day (added as in coffee or already present in products from the food industry).
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Bibliographic references
- Majtan, J. (2014). Honey: an immunomodulator in wound healing. Wound Repair Regen, 22, 187–192
- Molan, P.C (1999). The role of honey in the management of wounds. Journal of Wound Care, 8 (8), 415–418.
- Samarghandian, S., Farkhondeh, T., Samini, F. (2017). Honey and Health: A Review of Recent Clinical Research. Pharmacognosy Res., 9 (2),121-127.
To the classic question “what do you do?” I always answer “basically I am a psychologist”. In fact, my academic training has revolved around the psychology of development, education and community, a field of study influenced my volunteer activities, as well as my first work experiences in personal services.