Is honey good for you? Is this the question playing on your mind? Well, it is healthy when compared to any refined sugar. You can enjoy the benefits of honey because of the loaded nutrients it contains. It has the ability to be the best sugar substitute. So, let us check out all the reasons how the ingredient is good for you!
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What Is Honey?
When the bees produce nectar from any flowering plants, the sugar-like liquid is known as honey. You will find the bees collect nectar and consume it. They further digest and disgorge the liquid into the beehive. Extracting the same helps us consume the ingredient in raw form.
You will find honey stored in small structures that are wax-like and are known as honeycombs. Humans then collect all of these honeycombs by a process that is known as beekeeping. There is a varied variety include:
- Avocado Honey
- Clover Honey
- Buckwheat Honey
- Sage Honey
- Blueberry Honey
- Orange Blossom Honey
- Eucalyptus Honey
- Alfalfa Honey
All kinds mentioned above are based on the plants, irrespective of pasteurized or raw. If you have one tablespoon of honey, say 21 grams, you provide your body with 17 grams of carbs with almost no fiber, protein, fat, and 64 calories. A tablespoon of the pure form also contains other micronutrients like zinc, iron, and potassium.
Is honey good for you?
Do you know that in olden times this was used as a medicine for several health problems? You must still be wondering if honey is good for you or not. So, we have made a list of all the honey benefits that’ll give you enough reasons to include them in your diet.
Honey can be opted instead of many sugars that are refined. It is a plant compound that is highly beneficial for you. So, let us check out how is honey good for you and what it does to your health:
High in Nutrients
The ingredient here is a smooth and thick liquid that you can get from honeybees. You already know that the bees collect the nectar from flowers rich in nectar and convert it into honey.
The type of ingredient that bees collect and store in the beehives depends a lot on the flowers that the honey is collected from. Each nectar-bearing flower has a different color, taste, and smell. All these factors vary from one type of flower to another.
A tablespoon of honey contains about 17 grams of sugar, including maltose, sucrose, glucose, and fructose. It contains no fiber, protein, and fat. But it does contain some amounts of plant protein in them. Don’t you wonder how that honey gets sheen? Well, that is because of the antioxidants and plant compounds present in it. You will notice that the darker tints contain more compounds than the lighter ones.
High in Antioxidants
If you love the ingredient, always choose the ones in pure form. Only those are the ones that contain all the essential antioxidants. It contains phenolic compounds such as flavonoids and organic acids. Researchers state that these are the compounds that are responsible for its antioxidative properties.
Some studies show that buckwheat honey is much better in your blood than many other kinds of honey. Two studies have backed up this claim.
Better for Diabetic Patients
Do you have diabetes? Well, people who have diabetes should avoid having anything sweet. But it is definitely much better to consume than refined sugar.
People with type 2 diabetes can have honey, reduce the level of bad cholesterol, and increase good levels. However, you must keep a close watch on how much of it you consume regularly.
Helps to Reduce High Blood Pressure Levels
You must know that most of your heart problems might occur due to increased blood pressure levels. Honey contains antioxidants that can reduce high blood pressure levels. There are have been numerous clinical trials done on humans and rats to reduce the chances of high blood pressure levels.
Helps to Improve Cholesterol Levels
Another significant factor that can cause heart diseases is increasing LDL cholesterol levels. This kind of cholesterol builds up fat in your arteries, known as atherosclerosis, the major reasons for strokes and heart attacks. So, consuming it helps control your bad cholesterol levels that can further reduce the chances of heart problems. Moreover, it can also increase the levels of good cholesterol in your body.
A study that was conducted on 55 patients were given both table sugar and honey. The study revealed that the participants given honey showed a 5.8% decline in bad cholesterol levels and an increase of 3.3% in the good cholesterol level.
Lowers Triglyceride Levels
You must know that increased levels of triglycerides in your blood are not good for you. It increases the chances of heart problems and type 2 diabetes too. You can increase the levels of triglycerides in your body by having refined carbs and high sugar.
Many studies prove that having it regularly can decrease the levels of triglyceride in your body. This happens in particular when you have it instead of refined sugars. For instance, a study conducted on a group of people showed triglyceride reduced by 11-19% in the people given honey instead of sugar.
Antioxidants are good for a healthy heart
The ingredient gives your body a lot of antioxidant compounds and phenols too. All of these are good to keep your heart healthy. More so, it has the ability of the dilating the arteries of your heart. And when the heart arteries dilate, the flow of blood in your heart also increases. It might also show a good impact on blood clotting formation, which is the major reason for strokes and heart attacks.
Additionally, you can also protect your heart from any oxidative stress. This was a study that was conducted on rats. However, there are not enough studies on humans to prove the complete claim of heart and honey.
Heals Burns and Wounds Faster
A very ancient practice done in Egypt was the application for burns and wounds. Surprised? Yes, it is a very commonly done home remedy done even today.
26 studies were done with wound healing. The review claimed that honey showed its effectiveness on wounds and burns that are partially thick or are like infections after the surgery. Moreover, you can treat any foot ulcers by applying honey to it. You can use the remedy for a much more complicated ulcer that needs amputation.
Another study done showed around 43.3% success in treating wounds by using honey. Elsewhere, another study was topically applied to diabetic patients, and honey healed the wounds by 97%.
Scientists say that honey has the power to heal for all the anti-inflammatory and anti-bacterial properties it contains. Moreover, it can even help in nourishing the adjacent tissues of the wound.
Honey can cure herpes lesions and psoriasis too! If you’re thinking, what type is best for you, then let us tell you that manuka honey is best to treat wounds.
Honey Cures Coughs
You know that coughing is a prevalent phenomenon in children and adults. It happens because of an infection of the upper respiratory tract. It can turn so severe that your sleep can be affected badly too. More so, it destroys your mood and causes immense pain in the groins and stomach muscles.
Although, there are many cough syrups and medications are present that show their effectiveness. But it might not work for many too. And it also comes in with a lot of side effects. So, the best way to stop your cough and not harm your body is to have some spoons of honey. Moreover, two successful studies show honey is better than many cough medicines.
One more study also helps participants sleep better and had no symptoms of cough too. But remember, you must not give children less than one any type of honey. It increases the botulism risk in them.
Should be consumed in moderation
Honey can be an excellent sugar alternative. It is good for health and much better than any refined sugars. But it would help if you chose a type that is high in quality. All brands cannot provide you with the right product. Many low-quality brands add sugar to their honey. But remember it should be consumed in minimal amounts or the side effects of honey are tremendous.
Side Effects of Honey
Is honey good for you? Well, we have answered that question for you. But if you start having it in huge amounts, the side effects can be dangerous. So, let us see how:
Obesity
Honey is very high in calories, and if you start having them in high amounts, you are bound to put on weight. It has huge amounts of sugar present in it that can lead to weight gain. So, if you want to experience the benefits, have it in minimum amounts.
Can Cause Allergy
Even though it has a meager chance of causing allergies, some people can be sensitive. It would help if you did not ignore any signs of allergies you see in your body. That’s because allergies, when turning severe, can be life-threatening. It starts with rashes on the skin surface and can lead to respiratory problems too. This problem basically happens from propolis, which is substance bees use to build their honeycomb. So, remember no to ignore any signs of you getting allergies.
Not Good for Diabetes
Diabetic patients should definitely avoid having any sugar intake. But honey proves to be a great alternative to refined sugar. However, honey, too, is high in calories and sugar content. If you start consuming it in high amounts, it will increase your blood sugar levels. More so, if you have it for a very long period of time, you will supply your body with an increase in hemoglobin A1C. With more levels of hemoglobin A1C you will have chances of having diabetes.
May Lead to Upset Stomach
You already know that honey has a lot of glucose present in it. So, if you have it, your body will get prone to having diarrhea.
Causes Decay in the Tooth
Too much sugar is not good for your tooth. However, honey is very sticky, and your teeth might start getting decayed because of it. So, always remember to consume and immediately rinse your mouth after that. You might get oral bacteria and tooth decay both if you don’t wash your mouth. Thus, both are similar in tooth decaying as they have a high content of sugar in it and can lead to a cavity in your tooth.
Final Thoughts
This ingredient is a superfood only if consumed in small amounts. That is because it is very high in calories and not at all good if you have diabetes. So, remember to consume it in moderation to enjoy all the -benefits.
