by Honey can make life and health sweeter. A food rich in antioxidants, honey is a natural form of sugar. People use a pinch of honey to start their day with a glass of warm water and lemon juice. Some even add a little honey to a cup of hot tea. Honey also goes well with pancakes or anything that needs a little sweetness! It’s not just for taste, honey also has health benefits.
Honey is a sticky product made by bees and stored in their hive. Delnaaz Chanduwadia, head of department, nutritionist and dietician at Jaslok Hospital and Research Center in Mumbai, explains that honey is processed through regurgitation and enzymatic activity of individual bees and its presence in the hive itself. While in the hive, the water evaporates and the sugars turn into a thick liquid.
What are the health benefits of honey?
One tablespoon of honey, or about 15 grams of honey, contains about 64 calories and about 17 to 18 grams of sugar. It is devoid of any protein or fat. Thanks to its slightly acidic pH of 3.9, it acts as an antiseptic.
1. Honey can act as a natural exfoliant
Honey is known to deeply hydrate the skin, which is why it is found in many facial cleansers and creams. It’s also a natural exfoliant, so when you apply it to your face, it will remove dry, dull skin. In return, you will get new skin cells underneath, and that is why you can use honey for skin.
2. Honey soothes coughs
Honey can relieve coughs, especially in children. Chanduwadia says that if you mix honey with haldi (turmeric) and a dash of ginger juice and take it three times a day, it will relieve cough in both children and adults. Honey has anti-inflammatory properties and therefore can reduce the symptoms of bronchitis.
3. Honey can help you heal wounds
Due to its anti-inflammatory properties, honey is effective against wounds. Honey induces white blood cells, also called leukocytes, to release cytokines. This is what helps with tissue repair. Honey helps heal wounds, especially in cases of burns. A 2015 study published in the National Library of Medicine found that honey was most effective in healing partial-thickness burns. It also acts on infected wounds following surgery.
4. Consumption of honey improves cardiovascular health
Honey is full of antioxidants such as polyphenols, flavonoids, and vitamin C. With these antioxidants, honey can help improve blood fat levels, lower blood pressure, and regulate your heart rate. These factors can help improve your heart health.
5. Honey is beneficial for neurological health
Honey is known for its neuroprotective antioxidants. So it works like an antidepressant. It has been shown to prevent oxidation of the nervous system, explains the expert.
6. Conditioner
Honey has moisturizing properties that not only leave your skin soft but also help keep your hair conditioned and healthy. It contains antioxidants that are beneficial for your hair
Read also : This Rice Water and Honey Rinse Is the Elixir Your Dry Hair Needs
How much honey can you take per day?
Although honey has health benefits, just consume one teaspoon per day. Too much honey can lead to stomach problems, weight gain, or increased blood sugar levels, so be careful! Click to learn the side effects of too much honey.
Additionally, babies under one year old should ideally not be given honey, as there is a high risk of botulism, a rare poisoning caused by toxins produced by the bacteria Clostridium botulinum.
