Honey has been valued as a natural sweetener long before sugar became widely available in the 16th century. Honey is truly a remarkable substance, made even more extraordinary by the process with which it is made. This blend of sugar, trace enzymes, minerals, vitamins, and amino acids is quite unlike any other sweetener on the planet. And while honey is high in fructose, it has many health benefits when used in moderation.
What is raw honey? It’s a pure, unfiltered and unpasteurized sweetener made by bees from the nectar of flowers. Most of the honey consumed today is processed honey that’s been heated and filtered since it was gathered from the hive. Unlike processed honey, raw honey does not get robbed of its incredible nutritional value and health powers. It can help with everything from low energy to sleep problems to seasonal allergies. Switching to raw honey may even help weight-loss efforts when compared to diets containing sugar or high fructose corn syrup.
If you’re not taking full advantage of the nutritional and medicinal properties of honey, it’s time to begin doing so because honey is a remarkable healing agent for all sorts of ailments.
BENEFITS
Natural Energy Source
Raw honey contains natural sugars (80 percent), water (18 percent), and minerals, vitamins, pollen and protein (2 percent). It’s not surprising that honey has been called “the perfect running fuel.” It provides an easily absorbed supply of energy in the form of liver glycogen, making it ideal for energetic morning starts and as a pre- and post-exercise energy source.
Antioxidant
A daily dose of raw honey raises levels of health-promoting antioxidants in the body. Antioxidants help block free radicals in the body that cause disease. It also boosts the immune system, acting as a preventative agent against any number of debilitating diseases. Honey contains polyphenols, which are powerful antioxidants that have been shown to reduce the risk of heart disease and cancer.
Wound and Ulcer Healer
Honey-infused bandages are known to aid healing, it is a natural antibacterial with wound-healing effects. Honey reacts with the body’s fluids to make hydrogen peroxide, creating an inhospitable environment for bacteria. For the treatment of burns and wounds, honey is typically applied directly to the problem area or in a dressing that’s changed every 24 to 48 hours. Sometimes the dressing is left in place for up to 25 days. A combination of honey and ghee has also been advocated and used as dressing for infected wounds. Honey has been studied for its use in effectively treating various types of ulcers as well. Honey may reduce the size, pain and odour of problematic skin ulcers.
Diabetes Aid
Consumption of raw honey can reduce the risk of developing diabetes and help aid medication used to treat diabetes. The combination of raw honey and cinnamon can be especially beneficial to healthy blood sugar management, as well as many other health concerns like gingivitis and acne.
Ensuring Digestive System Works Well
Digestive system is one of the main parts of the human body that organises the entire process of food digestion from ingestion to disposal. If this system does not work well, the human body would not be in good condition, and would be prone to various types of disease. When the food could not be well-absorbed, the body would not get stamina or power to do daily activities and this can cause fatigue. Consuming honey would, therefore, protect you from various types of digestive diseases or disturbances.
By: Umaru Maryam Hadejia
