Honey: Health Benefits, Nutritive Value, Honey vs Sugar Debate & Its Contribution in Diabetes Management, Everything You Need To Know About This Superfood!

Honey, a sweet and densely nutritious superfood, is not just super delicious but more than what meets the eye. It is a simple, commonly available alternative to sugar with a wide range of potential health advantages. According to some research, honey is known to help maintain a healthy gut while lowering the risk of heart disease, diabetes, and other diseases. According to further studies, honey may also be an effective antibiotic substitute. Use Honey To Get Baby-Soft Pink Lips Naturally (Watch Video).

Have you wondered how honey is made? Well, nectar, which flowers release to entice bees to them, is the source of honey. The nectar from flowers is ingested by bees, who then store it in their stomachs. Bees afterwards use their tongues to transfer the nectar to other bees. The sugary fluid converts into honey when the bees pass it by. The finished product is then kept by the bees in honeycomb cells.

Honey Nutritive Value

The following nutrients are included in one tablespoon of honey: 63.8 calories, Fat: 0g, Salt: 0.8 mg, 17.3 g of carbohydrates, 0.04g of fibre, no added sugars & 0.1g of protein.

According to research, honey includes 31 different minerals, some of which include phosphorus, calcium, potassium, and magnesium. However, honey won't make up a significant portion of those elements in your diet. To completely understand the benefits of honey's intricate composition, more research is required.

Health Benefits of Honey

Heart Disease Prevention: Over 180 different compounds, including organic sugars, vitamins, minerals, and phytochemicals, can be found in honey. The anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties of honey can prevent atherosclerosis (thickening or hardening of the arteries).

Promotes Gut Health: A 2017 review discovered that honey has prebiotic characteristics. Prebiotics aid in the fermentation of good gut flora. For instance, Lactobacilli is a category of "good" bacteria that helps with digestion and nutrient absorption.

Cold Relief: Honey is advised as a natural cough treatment by both the American Academy of Paediatrics and the World Health Organisation (WHO).

Antibacterial Properties: The protein defensin-1, which is present in honey, has the power to eradicate bacteria. While raw, unpasteurized honey can be applied topically to treat wounds, it shouldn't be substituted for a topical medication that has been prescribed.

Heartburn Relief: According to studies published in the BMJ, honey may be useful for relieving heartburn. According to research3, this might be because honey's stickiness coats the upper gastroesophageal canal, preventing stomach acid from ascending.

Wounds and Burn: Dressings made from pharmaceutical-grade manuka honey have been used in clinical settings to treat pressure ulcers and burns.

Honey vs. Sugar

Use honey sparingly to stay below the limitations because they apply to all sources of added sugar in your diet. Instead of consuming flavoured yoghurt with excessive sugar addition, try lightly sprinkling honey over plain yoghurt and adding your own fruit. Honey can also be used as a skin mask, in marinades and sauces, and in food.

Honey & Diabetes Management

According to studies, honey is helpful in the treatment and control of type 2 diabetes. Antioxidants included in it are important for managing diabetes mellitus. Those who have diabetes may benefit from using honey to reduce their blood sugar (plasma glucose) levels. Additionally, honey lowers blood lipid and reactive protein levels in both healthy individuals and those with hyperlipidemia.

There are honey products in both raw and pasteurised varieties. Since raw honey is directly bottled after being extracted from the hive, it naturally contains minute amounts of yeast, wax, and pollen. Due to regular contact with the local pollen, eating raw local honey is said to help with seasonal allergies. To get rid of contaminants, honey has been cooked and processed to become pasteurised.

(Disclaimer: This article is written for an informative purpose and should not be substituted for medical advice. Kindly consult your doctor or professional nutritionist before trying any tips.)

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Sep 04, 2023 12:55 AM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).