Health Benefits of Honey

Honey is a liquid food made by the honey bees from the nectar of flowers. Honey is mostly produced by the Apis genus of honey bees. It is actually a regurgitated product of the honey bees while they feed on the nectar of the flowers and deposit back honey to the honey comb. Honey is produced and stored by the bees as their primary source of food when the sources of food become scarce. The nectar of the flower mixes with the enzymes present in the bee saliva, which turns the nectar into honey. Honey bees store honey in a honey comb, which are small units made up of bees wax inside the beehive. The sweet taste of the honey is derived from the mono-saccharides, fructose, and glucose present in the honey. It is a natural sweetener. Microorganisms does not thrive in honey because of its low water activity. Honey has a distinct flavor which is based on the source of the nectar which produces the honey.

 

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Honey has been used since time immemorial and it has been used in various foods and beverages as a sweetener and a flavoring agent. It is also used in various medicinal purposes to treat ailments.

The major health benefits of honey can be grouped as.

Nutritional: It acts as an energy booster that provides energy which is needed for heavy physical and stressful activities.

Medicinal: It improves immunity of the body from various illnesses and saves from oxidation damage. It is used as a natural remedy to cure various illnesses and diseases.

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Sweetener: It is used as sweetening agent in many foods and liquids. It can be used as a substitute for sugar as a sweetener.

Energy source: It is used as an energy source. It gives more calories per tablespoon than sugar can provide. It is easily digested from the stomach because it is easily convertible into glucose. It improves athletic performance in a person by maintaining blood sugar levels, muscle recuperation, and glycogen restoration after a heavy work.

Vitamins and Minerals: Honey is a source of several vitamins and minerals in smaller quantities. It mainly contains vitamin C, calcium, iron, etc.

Improves immunity: Honey has many antibacterial and antifungal properties, which helps enhance the digestive system and fight diseases.

Antioxidant: It has antioxidant properties, effective in removing free radicals from our body. The body immunity is increased and helps fight against diseases such as cancer, colitis, etc.

Treating wound: Honey has antibacterial and anti fungal properties, which helps to prevent bacterial and fungal growth. It enhances wound healing and facilitates the healing process. It speeds up the healing process.

Skin care: Honey along with milk or cinnamon is effective in skin care and getting smooth soothing skin.

Reduce allergies: It can cure allergies when localized honey is given that help to minimize seasonal allergies.