Top 10 health benefits of honey And Why You Should Add It To Your Diet

Top 10 health benefits of honey And Why You Should Add It To Your Diet

 

What is honey?

Honey is a naturally sweet, nutritious and healthy food that exists in many forms. The word ‘honey’ originates from the Latin word ‘homo’ which means ‘man’ or ‘human being’. According to Ancient Greeks, honey was considered as natural medicine during times of pestilence and diseases. In addition, honey, like wine, was used for medicinal purposes thousands of years ago.

Honey is popularly known as an important component of the diet with a wide range of benefits such as weight loss, heart health, immunity and digestion support. There are various types of honey, whether raw or processed. When it comes to its nutritional value, honey contains many essential nutrients such as Vitamin K, magnesium, copper, manganese and potassium. Also, according to research studies, consuming pure honey is also beneficial in improving heart disease and diabetes. So, let us look at how honey can benefit our body.

Top 10 health benefits of honey:

1. It improves digestive health

Honey is rich in allergenic proteins such as lactose, gluten, casein and fructans which helps to nourish your gut and improve the gut flora. Another study found that people who consumed some amounts of fermented honey showed improvements in their fecal bacteria that supports the normal functioning of intestinal cells. This makes honey an interesting ingredient for those suffering from constipation or diarrhea.

2. It promotes cardiovascular health

Since honey is considered as a natural diuretic (water-salt-fat balance), it may help reduce blood pressure and regulate the levels of sodium and iron levels in the body. For example, one cup of honey contains almost 7 grams of potassium which helps to manage high salt intake in our bodies. Therefore, adding 1/2 teaspoon of honey to your breakfast salad could be quite helpful.

3. It lowers cholesterol levels

Capsaicin present in honey stimulates the liver to excrete excess cholesterol from the liver. Regular consumption of honey or honey extract could result in lowering cholesterol levels. Hence, consumption of raw honey could be suggested for better cardiovascular health.

4. Improve skin health

The antimicrobial properties of honey cause a protective effect on both external and internal skin. Its antibacterial ability helps fight acne, dandruff and dry, flaky and rough skin. In addition, honey contains antioxidants and other compounds which protect against free radicals. These antioxidants act through anti-inflammatory and antioxidant mechanisms. Thus, regular administration of honey could aid in fighting oxidative damage and keep skin soft.

5. May boost brain function

A 2013 study proved that individuals who drank more than three cups of pure honey daily showed significant improvements in their memory test. Moreover, people who consumed honey had increased concentrations of tryptophan and serotonin, chemicals that help to enhance overall mood and facilitate cognitive performance.

6. Weight Loss Support

Honey aids in decreasing fat mass by stimulating metabolism, inducing thermogenesis (burning off fats) and increasing fat oxidation. Research shows that honey has potential anti-obesity properties. However, excessive honey consumption could lead to bloating.

7. Digestive Health Support

Honey contains enzymes such as polyphenols, lectins, vitamins and minerals which help promote digestion and increase bowel movements. Some researchers suggest that honey could help to improve gastrointestinal tract issues like flatulence. Additionally, some patients suffering from irritable bowel symptoms are prescribed honey for reducing their discomfort.

8. Relieves constipation and hemorrhoids

Due to its antibacterial and antifungal properties, honey acts as an effective remedy for treating conditions related to the gastrointestinal system. Furthermore, honey is useful for relieving bleeding ulcers due to its antiseptic nature. Besides, it could help reduce anal prolapse and hemorrhoids.

9. Treats toothaches

Honey is a natural antispasmodic (anti-spasmodic) substance which prevents nerve pain in human beings. One cup of honey has 2.5 tablespoons. Hence, having regular intake of this honey could help you treat oral thrush without using any medications. Moreover, honey is not only effective for removing bad breath but also aids in curing gingivitis – inflammation of the gum tissues. Moreover, there is no need to limit your consumption of honey if you are already suffering from mouth sores.

10. Promotes sleep

Honey is said to have aphrodisiac properties. As per Ayurveda, honey is believed to stimulate production of melatonin, a hormone that controls sleep cycle. If you are someone who struggles with insomnia, adding a tablespoon of honey to your morning coffee could work wonders for promoting relaxation.

Conclusion

We hope that we provide you with enough knowledge about what honey is and how to consume it properly. If you are interested in making positive changes in your life, make sure to read through these articles. We recommend purchasing quality organic beeswax candles, diffusers and incense sticks from online stores.