Oh Honey! 4 Health Facts About Honey You Didn’t Know

Sticky, sweet, and utterly delicious – honey is one of the few things that taste as good as it is for your body.

“A rising tide of doctors and health care providers are now urging their patients to eat this “life-giving” sugar every single day. They’re not just recommending it to give a “slightly better alternative” to other sweeteners, either. They’re prescribing it to treat life-threatening diseases, heal chronic conditions, and keep people looking and feeling their very best,” says Dr. Joshua Levitt.

In this article, we look at the four key health benefits of honey that you didn’t know.

4 key health benefits of honey

1. A Natural Energy Booster

Honey is a great source of unrefined, healthy carbohydrates which boost our body’s energy levels. It has been known to instantly enhance an athlete’s performance and endurance whilst reducing muscle fatigue, so next time you hit the gym don’t feel guilty indulging in a sweet honey snack!

The reason it is such a fantastic source of instant energy is that honey contains both glucose and fructose. The glucose gets absorbed by the body quickly, allowing for that immediate energy boost, whilst the fructose gets absorbed over time, allowing for sustained energy levels throughout the period of exercise. It is also known to keep your blood sugar far more constant than any other source of sugar.

Health Tip

If you wake up in the morning feeling as tired as when you went to bed, reach for a teaspoon of honey. Spread it on your toast or exchange it with sugar in your morning tea. It is guaranteed to give you that much-needed pick-me-up.

2. Builds Your Immunity

Honey has incredible anti-oxidant and anti-bacterial qualities, which help to improve your digestive system and ward off common diseases.

The effective antimicrobial agent in honey prohibits the growth of certain bacteria. It contains an enzyme that produces hydrogen peroxide which is believed to be the main reason for the antimicrobial activity of honey.

Honey contains natural antioxidant properties that can destroy biologically destructive chemical agents which have been linked to many diseases such as cancer. Those types of honey that are dark have greater antioxidant properties than those that are light. Honey eliminates free radicals in the body and has been shown to support new tissue growth. Honey even protects and rejuvenates the skin! Making it an essential item in your anti-aging dossier.

Health Tip

Use honey as a cleansing tonic. Start every day, before breakfast, by drinking a spoon full of honey and freshly squeezed lemon juice mixed into a cup of warm water.

3. Anti Cancer

Many people overlook honey’s carcinogen-preventing and anti-tumor properties. There has been an increase in studies looking at the possibility of honey being used in the treatment of cancer.

“According to many studies on the treatment of breast and lung cancers, honey is a good chemotherapeutic agent. It is an intelligent food. While it is selectively toxic to tumor or cancer cells, it is non-cytotoxic to normal cells.

In current cancer management, including surgery, chemotherapy, and radiotherapy, most anti-cancer drugs lack such selectivity and specificity properties and have many side effects in their use. Thus honey is a potential cancer therapeutic agent to complement conventional cancer treatments.” (1, 2).

4. Heals Ailments

Honey has a hygroscopic nature. This means that when it is exposed to air, it naturally absorbs moisture from the air. In treating open wounds, honey is useful as it could help prevent scarring by keeping the skin moist, encourage the growth of new tissues, and allow easy removal of any dressing by preventing the dressing from becoming stuck to the skin.

It is known for treating cuts, burns, hangovers, sore throats, and assisting with sleeplessness.

Honey Sore Throat Cure

Gargle with a mixture of two tablespoons of honey, four tables spoons of lemon juice, and a pinch of salt. Then make yourself a tasty drink of warm water mixed with Manuka UMF honey, which is particularly known for its healing properties.

Another power food is Beetroot! Follow the link to read how this purple hero will boost your health.