Honey is one of the oldest sweeteners in the world, and it's been used for both cooking and medicine since humans started making honey. But did you know that this delicious natural substance can also offer a number of surprising health benefits? From fighting infections to reducing your risk for heart disease, here are some ways that honey might improve your health:
Honey is a delicious dietary staple that offers a variety of health benefits above and beyond its nutritional value.
Honey is a delicious dietary staple that offers a variety of health benefits above and beyond its nutritional value.
Honey has been used for centuries as an effective remedy for various ailments, including coughs and sore throats, allergies, colds and flu symptoms like congestion or fatigue—and even as relief from burns.
1. It has antibacterial qualities.
Honey has been used as a treatment for wounds and infections since ancient times. The antibacterial qualities of honey are thought to have been discovered by the Greek physician Hippocrates, who found that honey had healing properties on his patients' open wounds. In recent decades, scientific studies have confirmed that honey has antiviral and antibacterial properties, as well as an ability to help heal wounds.
In addition to its positive effects on the human body, it seems that honey might also help prevent some diseases in animals too—including cats (cats love eating it straight from the jar) and dogs (most veterinarians recommend feeding dogs about 2-4 tablespoons per day).
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2. Honey can heal wounds and burns.
Honey is a great way to heal wounds, as it has antimicrobial properties. The honey's natural antibacterial and antifungal properties help inhibit the growth of microbes, which can prevent infection when you have an open wound.
It can also be used to treat skin irritations like rashes, bug bites, diaper rash and even poison ivy or poison oak. It may even help with eczema! Instead of using antibiotic creams that can cause more side effects than good ones (like yeast infections), try using a bit of honey instead!
And for those who are worried about getting staph infections from their doctors' offices: don't sweat it! The FDA does not recommend using antibiotics every time one gets an injection at their doctor's office; instead they suggest cleaning the area with soap and water before injection if possible—and then applying some sullen-honey afterwards (I know).
3. Its antioxidant properties may reduce your risk for heart disease.
Honey is rich in antioxidants, which have been linked to a reduced risk of heart disease by reducing inflammation. Antioxidants are found in foods like fruits and vegetables. They're also found in tea and coffee, which are great sources of flavonoids.
The antioxidants in honey help reduce inflammation, which can lead to the buildup of plaque on artery walls that can lead to heart disease or stroke.
4. It may help prevent certain cancers.
Honey is a rich source of antioxidants, which help to fight free radicals. Free radicals are unstable molecules that can cause damage to the body's cells and DNA, potentially leading to cancer.
In lab studies, researchers have found that honey may have some anti-cancer properties. They found that it can inhibit cell growth in several types of cancer cells and also reduce inflammation. However, further research is needed to determine whether these findings translate into clinical benefits for people with cancer
5. It has antifungal properties.
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It has antifungal properties. Honey is a natural antifungal agent, and it can be used to treat athlete's foot, jock itch, ringworm and other fungal infections. For these types of infections, you can apply honey directly to the affected area or use it in a soak for about 20 minutes two times per day.
6. Honey is a natural cough suppressant.
If you're suffering from a persistent cough, honey may be just what the doctor ordered. In addition to being a natural anti-inflammatory and antioxidant, it also contains soothing properties that can help soothe dry coughs. Honey has been used for centuries as a remedy for coughs because it's easier to swallow than other liquids when you don't feel like eating or drinking much.
Honey contains several nutrients that are useful in treating cold symptoms: vitamin C and calcium help rebuild your immune system; manganese helps with energy metabolism; iron prevents anemia (a common symptom of colds); potassium helps lower blood pressure; zinc boosts immunity; copper protects against some infections by inhibiting bacteria growth; selenium boosts antioxidants in the body and fights off free radicals that cause tissue damage over time—all while tasting great!
7. It can help your body fight allergies.
Did you know that honey is a great way to soothe your throat? Sure, it's sticky and sweet (and sometimes not-so-sweet), but it can also help you breathe easier and reduce the symptoms of allergies. Honey acts as a natural antihistamine by increasing saliva production, which helps clear mucus from your airways. It also acts as an expectorant—meaning it helps loosen congestion and aids in easy breathing.
So next time your throat feels scratchy or dry from coughs or allergies, try eating some honey! You could even try making one of these recipes:
8. It may be able to help you lose weight.
As a sweetener, honey is a great alternative to sugar. A one-tablespoon serving contains 64 calories, compared to the 100 calories per tablespoon in granulated sugar. Honey also has less than half the glycemic index (GI) of table sugar—which means that it doesn’t spike your blood sugar levels as much. This means that even though you may be consuming more calories with honey than with other types of sweeteners such as agave nectar or coconut palm syrup, those calories will be absorbed more slowly by your body and won't cause spikes in insulin levels. This may help you feel fuller for longer periods of time and reduce cravings for high-calorie foods later on in the day.
Plus, since honey has natural antibacterial properties and is rich in antioxidants like pinocembrin—which helps boost brain function while protecting against free radical damage—it can help make food last longer before spoiling!
9. Honey is more than just a sweet treat!
Honey is more than just a sweet treat! Honey has been used for centuries, and it is still one of the most popular natural sweeteners today. In addition to its delicious taste, honey has many health benefits that can help you live longer and better.
Honey's natural sweetness makes it a great alternative to refined sugar. It also contains some nutrients that aren't found in table sugar or other artificial sweeteners, like glucose syrup (aka high fructose corn syrup). So if you're looking for something with fewer chemicals in your diet, try replacing your regular sweetener with this natural option instead!
Because of these various characteristics, honey has been used as both an ingredient in cooking as well as a preservative over the years—and it still serves those purposes today!
Conclusion
You don’t have to be a kid to enjoy the health benefits of honey, but if you are one, then it’s definitely worth incorporating into your diet.
Read More: Discover the Relaxing Aroma and Taste of Emirelli's Lavender Honey