Saturday, December 14, 2013

The Many Nutritional Benefits Of Honey

By Leanne Goff


The myriad nutritional benefits of honey far exceed a pleasant taste. Unfortunately, a high number of consumers do not realize exactly how many health benefits are associated with the substance. As one would suspect, similar to any sweet food, honeycomb should be used in moderation. However, when one does not consume it excessively, it may offer a considerable number of health benefits.

Conventional sources frequently claim that honey is just sugar. However, this statement is not accurate. There is much more to honeycomb then one may originally think, as it has unique properties not found in processed sugar. This is due to the fact that the bees responsible for the substance enhance it during its production. For this reason, dissimilar to refined white sugar, it has additional qualities, many of which are advantageous to humans.

One example of the many advantages of the aforementioned substance is its anti-bacterial and antiviral qualities. The ingredient responsible for this effect is referred to as methylglyoxal. This substance was scientifically proven to combat both viral and bacterial germs. Therefore, having that traditional cup of honey flavored tea when one is suffering from colds or other sicknesses that commonly attack during winter is a good way to enhance recovery time.

Certain types of the aforementioned substance can also be used as an antiseptic. This is particularly true with regard to the Manuka variety. The latter is harvested from honeycombs built in shrubs bearing the same name. This type of honeycomb can be placed directly on a wound without the risk of infection. It can also be used to great advantage to soothe burns.

Although honeycomb is made up mainly of carbohydrates and water, it is also rich in certain vitamins and minerals. These include vitamins B2, B3 and B5, as well as iron, potassium, calcium, copper, zinc, manganese, magnesium, and phosphorus. It is also rich in antioxidants, particularly flavanoids, the latter of which are found in many vegetables and fruits.

Studies are currently being conducted to determine whether or not honey stimulates the immune system. Research indicated that this may be the case. In certain parts of the world, where various types of honey are used on a regular basis, individuals appear to have stronger immune systems and are more resilient to illness.

The ingredients in organic honeycomb may also provide advantages to those suffering from high blood sugar. Research that has recently been conducted indicates that natural honeycomb may reduce plasma glucose levels in human blood, and balance homocysteine levels in diabetics and healthy people alike. However, these conclusions must be confirmed with more clinical trials.

Due to the numerous nutritional benefits of honey, many individuals who are concerned about their health have decided to add this substance to their diet. Organic products are the wisest choice for essentially any customer. Honey can be purchased in traditional health food shops or online. However, when shopping on the Internet, it is essential to carefully research the background of any merchant with whom one is planning to conduct business prior to offering credit card information. Lastly, it is always a good idea to speak to one's primary healthcare practitioner before making any dietary changes.




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