9 June, 2021
1311
A viscous food matter prepared by honey bees, honey is one of the sweetest things in the world. It provides plenty of health benefits and some of them may surprise you. This food substance is rich in glucose, fructose, and monosaccharides. Moreover, it is often referred to as liquid gold. The health benefits of honey extend from healing wounds to boosting your immune system. Right from a young baby to an elderly person, everyone can consume it for health benefits. Continue reading the below sections to know more on the health benefits of honey:
1. Controls blood glucose levels The excess blood glucose levels in the body may create acute health concerns. Though honey is composed of fructose and glucose, it has a comparatively low glycemic index (GI). So, honey is better for health as compared to refined sugar. It has the ability to sweeten foods without raising your blood sugar levels and this is the reason why people having Type 2 diabetes can consume honey. There are lots of studies that demonstrate that consumption of honey does not boost your blood sugar levels. This is why it is recommended to spread honey on your bread or toast for breakfast. This adds to the benefits of honey in the morning, especially for diabetic patients. Due to the carb content, it must be consumed in moderation. For people having high cholesterol, honey is one of the best remedies. This is because it decreases LDL (bad cholesterol) and boosts HDL (good cholesterol). Being low in calories, it works wonderfully as a sugar replacement for diabetics patients. |
|
2. Heals wounds and burns Once you get wounds or burns in any body part, it takes time to recover. Fortunately, with the use of honey, a speedy recovery is possible. It is found that pharmaceutical-grade manuka honey dressings are widely used in clinics to heal burns, wounds, and ulcers in the body. Moreover, honey works as a catalyst for healing burns, wounds, and scratches. You can apply it directly to your skin; no worries about harmful effects. Due to the antimicrobial properties, honey works as an effective ointment for treating wounds, burns, and other skin problems. It is possible to get rid of eczema and dermatitis by applying honey to the affected body parts. The pH level of honey falls in the range of 3.2 to 4.5. So, its acidic nature provokes the blood to liberate oxygen. A sufficient supply of oxygen is vital for healing wounds. Moreover, the acidic nature of honey controls the proteases which impair the wound healing procedure. |
3. Benefits of honey to skin and hair The proven research shows that one of the best health benefits of honey is the reduction in hair loss due to dandruff. Honey can improve the condition of your scalp. There is the inclusion of emollient and humectant properties that makes honey a wonderful hair moisturizer. Honey comes with 0.5% protein that adds enough strength to your hair. Honey possesses natural antiseptic and anti-inflammatory properties. These properties heal the breakouts of acne and avoid other skin infections. Furthermore, honey hydrates the upper layers of your skin and decreases the formation of fine lines and wrinkles. If there are wounds or scratches in any part of the skin, you dress that part with honey. The sugars present in honey draws out the water from the wounds; this process is known as the Osmotic effect. This further removes the swelling and escalates the lymph flow for quick healing. The antibacterial effect of honey further prevents the bacteria from multiplying. It is recommended to combine honey with hot water and oatmeal for preparing a natural skin scrub. This scrub works efficiently to repair skin problems. |
4. Provides cough relief and calms the sore throat The sore throat and accumulation of cough in the throat are some of the common health concerns. For ages, honey has been extensively used for treating cold and cough. It is an extremely effective remedy for cough relief. This is because honey works effectively on the throat and gradually reduces the formation of cough. Also, research shows that honey works as a cough suppressant for children facing upper respiratory infections. Due to its anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties, honey is good for health. These properties let honey alleviate cough in a short time. Since honey is a sticky, thick, and moist substance, it creates a type of barrier. This barrier soothes and protects your throat. Mixing honey with ginger and tulsi leaves provides faster relief to cough and sore throat. Adding a few drops of honey to warm lemon water or tea soothes your sore throat. |
5. Comes with anti-inflammatory propertiesThere are ample benefits of honey as an immunity booster. For people who are constantly suffering from low energy, weak digestion, and joint pain, consuming honey can be really helpful. Being rich in antioxidants, honey combats inflammation which (if not treated on time) can lead to various health issues like heart diseases, and autoimmune disorders. Due to the anti-inflammatory property of honey, you can get rid of these health concerns. The anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory properties are also effective for the prevention of diabetes mellitus, atherosclerosis, and cardiovascular diseases. One study also demonstrated that antioxidants present in buckwheat honey were noticeable in blood plasma. This shows that consuming honey can enhance the antioxidant activity in your body. |
6. Improves digestive system Several health concerns can arise if your digestive system is weak. One of the most effective benefit of raw honey is the improvement in the digestive system. Raw honey is known to be a prebiotic food. It suggests that it can allow the growth of good bacteria living in your gut. Antibacterial properties of the honey fight against the Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) bacteria. This bacteria is responsible for causing stomach ulcers. When you consume honey, gradually the growth of the mentioned bacteria will stop, which improves your digestive system. Honey is effective against multiple types of digestive concerns including ulcers and constipation. Preparing a tea made from lemon and honey cures constipation and improves your digestion power. |
7. Improves oral health The benefits of honey are not limited to the skin, hair, and digestive system; it also improves your oral health. The reason to use honey for your oral health is its antibacterial properties. These properties stop the development of bacteria in your mouth. The included hydrogen peroxide works as an antiseptic for relieving the pain caused by the teeth sensitivity. Moreover, honey acts as a barrier to prevent infections in the mouth. Generally, sugary substances are not considered good for oral health. However, honey comes with antibacterial properties and these properties fight against the tooth decay problem. Besides, honey can also repel gingivitis and periodontal disease. Manuka honey is known to temporarily lessen toothaches. It can fight against oral infections and prevent gum diseases. Moreover, studies show that Manuka honey is competent to control swelling and pain in teeth. If you are severely suffering from gum disease, then the anti-inflammatory property of honey helps you. So honey is not just good for skin & hair but also for your mouth and teeth as it controls gums’ swelling, tooth decay, and combats infections. |
Conclusion
The aforementioned are some of the best and effective health benefits of honey we all should know. From the convenience of your home, you can get rid of several health ailments with the appropriate use of honey.