NUTRITIONAL FACTS & HEALTH BENEFITS OF HONEY

 Honey is known for its goodness and numerous health benefits.

Bees manufacture honey from the nectar of flowers. Humans started collection of honey for treating several ailments almost 8,000 ago. Honey was used by ancient Egyptians for cooking. They also used honey for embalming the dead. Honey was offered to the Egyptian God “Min”.  Honey was predominantly used by “Mayans”. They considered bee as sacred.

In India honey is used in temples and houses for performing special prayer called “Abhishekam”. The oldest Hindu treatises, the Vedas mention honey and its medicinal properties.

NUTRITIONAL FACTS

Honey is a combination of sugars and some other compounds. Mainly it contains fructose, glucose, maltose, carbohydrates and a small amount of vitamins, minerals and amino acids. Vitamins such as Thiamin, Niacin, Pyridoxine (B6) and minerals like Calcium, Copper, Iron, Magnesium, Manganese, Phosphorus, etc believed to work as antioxidants. The precise composition of honey depends on the type of flowers bees use for honey manufacturing.

HEALTH BENEFITS OF HONEY

Honey is known for its therapeutic properties. This elixir shows its effect on several health conditions as well.

Energy Booster

Honey tastes great. It is also a natural source of carbohydrates which are required to attain strength and energy. Honey is very effective in boosting up the energy levels, endurance levels and lessens muscle fatigue in athletes. Honey has natural sugars that are absorbed by the body instantly which leads to an increase in energy levels.

Immunity

Tablespoon of honey acts on the immune system and improves it with considerable usage. It has several anti-oxidants and anti-bacterial properties which aid the digestive system and also helps to fight diseases. Honey is used as a cleanser. Many people consume a tablespoon of honey with a glass of water on empty stomach early in the morning.

Honey has several anti-oxidants that act on the cells in the body. They are known for eliminating oxidants and stopping collagen destruction. Regular use of honey can work on the immune system and the body will be protected against several cancers as well.

Acidity

The pH level of honey is between 3.2 and 4.5. This composition inhibits the growth of bacteria. Hence honey can be used in acidity related problems.

Cough and Sore Throat

Consumption of honey regularly soothes sore throat and reduces cough.

Good Eye Sight

Two teaspoons of honey should be mixed with carrot juice and consumed on a regular basis. It is especially beneficial for persons who spend long hours before the computer. Read more tips on taking care of your eyes

Relief In Symptoms Of Asthma

Equal quantities of black pepper powder, honey and ginger juice should be mixed and consumed three times a day for relieving symptoms of asthma.

Blood Pressure

One teaspoon of garlic juice should be mixed with two tea spoons of honey. This mixture is said to control blood pressure.

Purification

For blood purification, early in the morning on empty stomach, a glass of warm water should be mixed with two teaspoons of honey and one teaspoon of lemon juice. It works well for purifying the blood and also aids weight loss.

General health

Consuming a teaspoon of honey every day helps to maintain good health.

Sleeplessness

A glass of hot milk mixed with a teaspoon of honey works well for inducing sleep. In the same way honey can be mixed with chamomile tea. Read more on home remedies for sleeplessness

Hair Loss and Bad Breath

One teaspoon of honey mixed one fourth tea spoon of cinnamon powder is used in traditional medicine for the treatment of hair loss and also bad breath. It has to be consumed regularly every day for achieving good results. (read how to grow hair faster)

Arthritis

A combination of honey and vinegar is known for its benefits in treating arthritis, premature aging, and also heartburn.

Burns

The marks that are left after burns are tough to vanish. Regular application of honey on burnt parts soothes the inflammation and the marks also reduce considerably.

Acne

Regular application of honey on pimples yields good results. Pimples will vanish within a period of time. (read how to get rid of pimples naturally)

OTHER BENEFITS OF HONEY

Honey can be used as a substitute to sugar, as it contains about 70% glucose and fructose, enough to sweeten your food/beverage! Less sugar means less fat!

Honey is also known for its antibacterial and antifungal properties. It can be used as a natural antiseptic.

Consuming honey in milk on a regular basis helps smooth and soothe the skin.

Honey is very easy to digest, as it is already digested by the bees. Also, carbohydrates in the honey can be easily converted into glucose, making it suitable for even the most sensitive stomachs.

Consuming honey with warm water can help digest the fat stores in the body, ultimately helping you to get slimmer. Also, when combined with lemon juice and cinnamon, honey can help you lose weight.

Honey has been found to improve performance of athletes, as it maintains blood sugar levels and helps muscle recuperate. It also helps in glycogen restoration after workout sessions.

Honey is rich in variety of vitamins and minerals. In general, it contains good amount of vitamin C, iron, and calcium.

As honey has antiseptic and antimicrobial properties, it can also help in healing superficial wounds very effectively.

Honey has numerous other benefits besides above. Consuming it on a regular basis can lead to a healthy body. Before modern medicine was established, honey has been in use for treating several medical conditions. It is a miracle that heals several health problems.

PRECAUTIONS

Honey should never be mixed with hot foods.

Heating of honey should be avoided.

Honey should not be mixed with certain food items like hot and spicy foods, fermented liquids like rum, brandy and whisky, mustard and ghee.