6 Reasons To Eat More Honey
Honey and beeswax are essential to humans, with evidence of beekeeping practices dating back to around 2500 BCE in ancient Egypt. This practice is believed to have eventually spread to the rest of civilizations worldwide, proving that honey used to be the world’s liquid gold.
Ancient medicine practices promoted the use of honey in various applications. In Ayurvedic medicine, for instance, this viscous liquid was used in addressing indigestions and several types of physiological imbalances. Honey was and still is being used to treat wounds and other skin conditions.
Because of its proven benefits in healing wounds, soothing sore throat, and potential efficacy in boosting the immune system, lowering blood pressure and glycemic index, consuming honey on a regular basis is recommended in adults. There is a variety of supplements out there that use all of the benefits of honey in a form you can use easily — it’s even a component in the MCT wellness ingredients.
If you’re not quite convinced yet, here’s a rundown of the most compelling reasons why you should have a tablespoonful of honey or more in your diet.
1. Honey Helps Manage Cholesterol Levels
With the fast-paced world and pandemic restrictions still in place, it can be hard to keep a healthy diet at all times. Eating less healthy foods is blamed for increasing cholesterol levels in your body, which can trigger heart ailments, diabetes, and other potentially fatal health conditions.
Consuming honey is said to aid in lowering bad low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol while increasing the good high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol levels. Through flavonoids and the antioxidants present in honey, the process of LDL oxidation, which can clog the arteries, is prevented.
2. Honey May Improve Blood Circulation and Lower Blood Pressure
If you think substituting table sugar with honey is a bad idea, think again. Ridding your diet of sugar and taking honey instead may help lower the triglyceride level in your blood. Elevated triglycerides, which is a type of fat in your blood, may lead to high blood pressure, blood clot formation and could exacerbate diabetes.
In a separate study conducted on animals, taking honey instead of table sugar reduced systolic blood pressure rates. High systolic rates mean an individual has high blood pressure, and therefore, is at risk of developing heart disease.
When compared to table sugar consumption, taking honey can reduce triglyceride levels by up to 19% in persons who participated in a study. Hence, apart from potentially reducing the risk of heart disease, honey may also be effective in managing diabetes.
3. Honey is Recommended in the Treatment of Colds and Cough
Because of its proven efficacy in soothing sore throat and colds, honey has been used to treat these conditions since antiquity and up to this day and age.
Apart from colds and sore throat, honey was also found to be effective in suppressing coughs.
It’s so effective that the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) and Public Health England (PHE) has recommended skipping on cough medicines and antibiotics. Both agencies have instead promoted taking homemade honey and lemon to relieve cough and colds.
Aside from its anti-inflammatory and soothing properties, honey is also rich in natural antibiotics, making synthetic antibiotic medications less appealing.
4. Honey is Rich in Antioxidants
Phytonutrients are naturally-occurring compounds in plants that protect them from germs, insects, and too much radiation.
With these main protective functions, phytonutrients are brimming with antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, making them effective in maintaining and protecting the human body.
Fruits and vegetables are the main sources of these antioxidant-rich nutrients. Honey, which is produced by bees who pollinate nectar from various plants, is rich in phytonutrients. This makes honey rich in antioxidants and anti-inflammatory chemicals, that when consumed regularly, may provide us with effective protection against diseases, too.
5. Honey Boosts Your Immune System
Research done by Michigan State University claims that honey boosts the immune system. In fact, nigeroligosaccharides, a type of sugar found in honey, is believed to have immunopotentiation effects, which in layman’s term means increased immune response.
Additionally, the flavonoids and polyphenols packed in honey act as antioxidants that maintain and shield the structural integrity of cells and tissues. These antioxidants help regulate free radicals and aid in preventing damage to immune cells.
6. Honey Promotes Optimal Gut Health
Honey contains prebiotic fiber, a group of non-digestible molecules that probiotics feed on in order to proliferate and help the body achieve optimal gut health.
Bifidobacteria, a subgroup of beneficial bacteria touted to maintain gut health, thrive with the high presence of prebiotics.
High levels of good bacteria in the gut, with various types of fungi and viruses, form our body’s microbiome. Research is ongoing about its role in our health, but preliminary findings indicate that a person’s microbiome health may impact our digestion, immune, and mental health conditions.
Bonus: Honey Treats Acne and Is A Natural Moisturizer
Cleopatra was said to rely heavily on honey for various beauty rituals. It was an essential component in her beauty arsenal—using it as a facial mask and mixing it with milk to bathe on.
Anecdotal claims indicate that mixing honey and milk helps moisturize your face and body. And it doesn’t stop there. In both warm and cold seasons, rustic beeswax finds itself the main ingredient for lip balm to hydrate dry, cracked, or chapped lips.
Turmeric, when mixed with honey and applied to your face, form a formidable compound that fights acne. These two are packed with anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties that can prevent acne from getting worse.
Key Takeaway
Whether drizzled over muffins or mixed with lemon to make tea, consuming honey may help boost our immunity or help ease certain symptoms of serious diseases. Although more tests are needed for the scientific community to formally declare its systematic medicinal efficacy, it can’t be denied that honey is one of the most versatile and best-tasting food on the planet.
