Honey PropertiesHealing honey properties that have been acknowledged throughout history make this sweet and tasty food so special. Honey is made by bees using nectar from different flower sources in different geographical locations in different seasons. It is one the purest and most natural remedies for over 5,000 years. Although bacteria love sugar, most of them quite surprisingly can not survive in honey despite the high sugar content, as honey absorbs the water and is also acidic, acid and lack of water prevent the growth of bacteria. It is quite a versatile sweetener / flavoring and can be used in cooking, but sparingly as it is sweeter than sugar, and the flavor is also rather strong .. It helps keep cakes and muffins moister. However it is not the cooking aspect of honey that we are interested on this page, but the great healing honey properties that make this food so special..
Honey Properties- Health Benefits: Honey can increase energy levels due to two level energy release from glucose and fructose. Have a bit of honey before working out at the gym, you will notice the difference! Honey can help fight throat infections, colds, coughs and flu; aid digestion, help fight digestive disorders such as peptic ulcers by destroying bacteria in the gut, help prevent and treat diarrhea; treat external wounds, burns and cuts; reduce anxiety and improve the overall well-being if taken regularly- every day in small amounts. As a folk remedy for thousands of years, honey was used not just for digestive problems, cold and flu but also for things like baldness, eye diseases, and even as a contraceptive. Honey contains a variety of vitamins and iron, constant use of honey strengthens the white blood cells to fight viruses and bacteria. It is commonly used in cosmetics industry due to its hygroscopic properties- ability to absorb moisture from the air and also can be used on its own at home as a moisturizer, skin softener, facial cleanser and a great treatment for sunburn. It even helps acne by attacking the bacteria that cause the outbreak. Cinnamon, lemon and vinegar are the partners of honey in helping heal different medical problems. Honey in hot milk to help you sleep, honey with lemon in warm water to soothe sore throats, coughs and more.. *Here I'd like to tell you about my favorite diet program that uses a lot of the healthy lower GI foods: Isabel de los Rios' 'The Diet Solution Program'. The Diet Solution Program favours a long term health orientated approach to fat loss, but not offering anyone a quick fix to their weight troubles. It has loads of valuable data and research to support its approach. I personally investigated the program thoroughly and my mum has been using it for a while now. I have to say she got some great results. The nutrition plan is one of the healthiest we have seen, a strong core focus on vegetables, fruits, vitamin dense foods, lean proteins, select dairy produce and a clear approach to not expecting one diet to work for all body types. So give it a try and let me know how youre doing.*
Honey and Wounds: Different types of honey offer different types of additional support to the body's natural healing process. Honey is a great treatment for infected wounds and can be effective against bacteria . Sugars in it absorb the water and stop bacterial infections from thriving. Bee pollen and propolis enzymes in honey work to sterilize wounds and assist healing. Antiseptic properties are released when honey touches your skin, by the production of hydrogen peroxide. As well as promoting healing on wounds and burns, it also acts as an anti-inflammatory agent reducing swelling , pain and even scarring.
Antioxidants in Honey: Honey contains similar amount of antioxidants as apples, strawberries, oranges and even spinach! Antioxidant content in honey means it is essential for the fight against free radicals that may cause serious illnesses like cancer and cardiovascular disease. Dark-color honeys like Buckwheat seem to possess more antioxidants than other types of honey. Phytonutrients like caffeic acid and methyl caffeate in honey and propolis are also claimed to help fight tumors and cancer. |
