Honey: Health Benefits, Facts and Virtues

Honey has promising effects to counter hangovers, moisturize, soothe a sore throat, and stimulate immunity. Discover the many benefits (and dangers!) Of honey.

Honey: a super aliment packed with health benefits

Honey has a lot of benefits and curative properties. Discover without delay the 15 virtues and risks of honey.

1. A natural sweetener

Honey is the most natural sweetener you can find. You have certainly heard of people who put honey in their tea instead of refined sugar or substitute it for sugar in cooking. “However, this food remains a sugar and must be consumed in moderation,”.

2. Fight Insomnia

Honey contributes to the release of insulin which in turn stimulates tryptophan. Recall that tryptophan is a compound that makes us drowsy. If you have trouble sleeping, take a glass of warm milk with honey before bed. The heat from warm milk will increase the effect of tryptophan.

3. Soothe a sore throat with honey

Due to its antibacterial properties, honey can help soothe a sore throat. Mix half a cup of water with a teaspoon of ground ginger. Add to this mixture the juice of half a lemon and a teaspoon of honey. Gargle with this home remedy to soothe your sore throat.

4. An effective cough suppressant

The honey could be as effective as some syrups and products distributed in the belly to calm a cough. The honey creates a thin protective layer and lines the throat, thus better preventing the irritation that causes a cough. Take two teaspoons before bedtime to soothe your cough.

5. Improve your athletic performance

Studies suggest that honey could be one of the most effective carbohydrates before a workout. Unlike other types of sweetening agents, honey is easily digested and then released into the metabolism at a slower, steady pace.

6. Effective in curing cuts and burns

The antibacterial and antifungal properties of honey inhibit bacterial growth. The next time you have a cut, scratch, or light burn, wash the wound thoroughly with soap and water. Also, try putting some honey on the injured area to prevent infection before covering it with a dressing.

7. Moisturize the skin and hair

Honey is an excellent conditioner for skin and hair. It is used especially in masks, as it helps to absorb and retain water. Mix honey with olive oil to get a natural shampoo. Try it as a moisturizing mask and as a lip treatment.

8. Honey against bad cholesterol

According to a study conducted in Dubai, honey would be good for cholesterol. As part of this scientific research, subjects who consumed 250 ml of water accompanied by 75 ml of natural honey for 15 days saw their “bad” cholesterol levels drop and their “good” cholesterol levels increased. If you have cholesterol problems, make sure to consult a health care professional who will help you better manage this condition.

9. Honey for better fighting acne

The antibacterial properties could help better control acne-related inflammation, according to Joey Green, author of Joey Green’s Magic Health Remedies. Mix one part honey and one part nutmeg and let rest the mixture on the button for 20 minutes before rinsing.

10. Help control low blood sugar

The honey powder would increase and maintain blood sugar more effectively than sucrose and maltodextrin, according to a study published in the Journal of the International Society of Sports Nutrition. High intake of carbohydrates and protein after exercise can cause hypoglycemia in some people. The consumption of honey could thus help to better counter the hypoglycemia by rebalancing a blood sugar level too low.

11. Honey to better control dandruff

Researchers have observed other virtues of honey, this time in patients suffering from dermatitis and struggling with a dandruff problem. Because of its antifungal and moisturizing properties, honey would have helped these subjects to better prevent dandruff problems. Dilute honey in a little hot water (avoid too hot water that could irritate the skin) and gently massage the leather hair for 2 to 3 minutes before rinsing.

12. Honey in the bath and shower

Thanks to the honey, you can hydrate your skin while attacking the bacteria causing acne and body odors. Mix two tablespoons of honey with a tablespoon of olive oil and use this solution in the shower or in the bath. You can also add essential oils such as almond oil or lavender. To make a homemade exfoliant, add half a cup of brown sugar to this mixture. Recall that honey keeps very long. Be sure not to add water to the honey or to this mixture: this may accelerate the growth of bacteria if you do not use it on the field.

13. Strengthen your immune system

According to research published in the Journal of the Science of Food and Agriculture, honey would have prevented the growth of tumors in mice. The antioxidants of this super aliment could also help your immune system better fight colds and flu. However, further scientific studies are needed to better understand the mechanisms and effects of honey, helping to better prevent cancer and strengthen the immune system in humans.

14. Promising effects to better combat the hangover?

Consuming honey by drinking alcohol could potentially help to counteract the harmful effects of alcoholic beverages by accelerating its elimination in the blood. This is at least suggested by a small-scale study of a group of 50 young men between the ages of 15 and 30. In these participants who were moderate drinkers in apparent good health, the simultaneous consumption of honey and alcohol promoted the rate of elimination of alcohol in the blood from 28.6% to 32.4%. However, further studies are needed to better understand and confirm the various impacts of honey on blood alcohol levels over time. It should also be remembered that alcohol must be consumed in moderation and in a reasonable manner.

15. Beware of tooth decay!

Like other foods containing carbohydrates such as juice, soft drinks, sweets, and other foods rich in sugars, honey can cause tooth decay. In addition, honey can promote erosion of the enamel, thereby increasing the risk of caries and dental sensitivity. In this sense, it is essential to have good dental hygiene, whether you eat honey or not.

Honey and its nutrients

Honey provides antioxidants, vitamin E, and vitamin C. Darker honey is said to be richer in antioxidants than pale honey, If you must limit your daily sugar intake and thus consume honey in reasonable quantities, try lightly sweetening your homemade yogurts and desserts with honey rather than sugar!