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Honey has been known to mankind for thousands of years: it was known in ancient Egypt, China and Greece, it was used both as a sweet and as a medicine. Today, its benefits are spoken of almost as axiomatically. We examined what makes honey so valuable for health.
Honey bees produce a natural, highly concentrated sweet solution from plant nectar. There are many varieties of honey, which differ in texture, processing method and nectar source. Honey contains approximately 200 compounds, including carbohydrates, proteins, minerals, enzymes, aromatic compounds, amino acids, vitamins and polyphenols.
It is believed that the components of honey have antioxidant, anticancer, antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, antidiabetic and wound-healing properties.
There is evidence that replacing other sweeteners with honey can improve certain health indicators (blood lipid profile, glycemia, glucose tolerance), reduce symptoms during chemotherapy and radiotherapy, and accelerate wound healing. Despite its beneficial properties, however, honey is a sweet and calorie-rich product, so its consumption is recommended in moderation.
Honey contains phenolic and flavonoid compounds that can reduce oxidative stress. This is a condition in which the body accumulates excess free radicals that damage cells and accelerate aging and disease. Studies have shown that honey consumption increases plasma antioxidant capacity, which is the ability of the blood to neutralize free radicals and protect cells from damage.
Antimicrobial and healing properties
Honey has a powerful antimicrobial effect and promotes accelerated healing of wounds and burns. Because of its very high sugar content, honey creates an osmotic effect. It literally "pulls" water out of bacteria, dehydrating them. Honey also has a low pH, which means it is an acidic environment in which most harmful microorganisms simply cannot survive. When exposed to moisture, such as on a wound, honey produces hydrogen peroxide, which acts as a natural antiseptic.
Benefits for the heart and blood vessels
Some studies have shown that replacing regular sugar with honey may be beneficial for heart health, especially with regular and long-term consumption. When young, healthy men ate 70 grams of honey daily for six weeks, their total cholesterol, "bad" cholesterol (LDL), and triglyceride levels decreased significantly. At the same time, their "good" cholesterol (HDL) levels increased. One study found that blood sugar levels rose less after consuming honey than after consuming regular sugar, and glucose tolerance improved.
Benefits for Colds
There is evidence that honey is a useful remedy for colds. It helps soothe sore throats, reduce the intensity of coughs, and generally relieves symptoms of upper respiratory tract infections.
Although honey is often used as a sweetener for tea and other hot drinks, high temperatures can affect its beneficial properties. Heating can change its composition and nutritional value. Studies have shown that heating liquids containing honey to 50°C can reduce the activity of antioxidants and enzymes and lead to the release of some harmful compounds. Therefore, it is recommended to cool the drink before adding honey.
Dairy products
Honey and dairy products such as yogurt, cheese, and milk are often consumed together, but this can cause digestive problems in some people. Since honey is acidic and contains fructose, it can interact with the proteins in dairy products, making it difficult to digest and causing side effects such as indigestion and bloating. People with digestive problems should avoid this combination.
Alcohol
Honey has a glycemic index of 50, while sugar has a glycemic index of 80. It raises blood sugar levels, although not as quickly as white sugar. When combined with alcohol, it can worsen hangover symptoms the next day. In addition, the fructose contained in honey can exacerbate alcohol-induced dehydration. This is one of the main causes of headaches and other discomfort the next day.
Honey is a natural, healthy product known to mankind for millennia. It contains approximately 200 beneficial compounds: carbohydrates, proteins, minerals, vitamins, amino acids and polyphenols. Honey has antioxidant, antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, and healing properties. It can potentially improve cardiovascular health and reduce cholesterol, triglycerides, and blood sugar. Honey is especially beneficial when consumed in moderation, but it loses some of its properties when heated above 50°C (122°F). Does not combine well with dairy products or alcohol.
Illustrative Photo by Pixabay: https://www.pexels.com/photo/honey-on-white-bowl-33260/