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by Mike Barrett
May 24, 2012
from
NaturalSociety Website
Honey has long been among the top
superfoods used to treat countless health conditions and boost
overall health.
Similar to how the
benefits of apple
cider vinegar range far and wide, honey can be used to help treat an
array of health issues experienced daily. This amazing bee-product
possesses antibacterial, antifungal, antiseptic, and antioxidant
properties - making it one of the most beneficial foods to consume.
Here are some of the health benefits of
honey that you can experience today.
Health
Benefits of Honey - A Handful of Uses
Allergy Protection
Although there is some debate as to
whether honey can effectively combat allergies, many individuals
do attest to honey’s allergy-fighting ability.
Honey has been utilized as an
alternative and natural allergy treatment for many years, with
many allergy sufferers swearing by its antiallergenic
properties.
One study found that the use of local honey resulted
in a 60 percent reduction in symptoms for birch pollen allergy
sufferers.
If honey doesn’t suffice for you,
don’t hesitate to implement one of many other available
home
remedies for allergies.
An All-Natural Antibiotic - Heals
Wounds
Used as a mighty superfood for
centuries, and as a solution for infections up until the 20th
century, honey has long been utilized for its antibacterial
properties.
One study published in the journal
Microbiology found that honey prevented a type of streptococcus pyogenes from inhibiting the healing of wounds. Researchers
conducting the lab tests found that even the smallest amount of
honey was enough to
kill off the majority of bacterial cells on
the skin which infects the wound site.
Honey could even be utilized to
prevent wounds in the first place.
Other research shows how honey could be a potent answer to drug
resistant bacteria like MRSA. In fact, some researchers have
come to the conclusion that honey could even be more effective
than antibiotics in many cases after examining how the superfood
can prevent and fight serious skin infections.
After a skin injury like a cut or a
scrape, bacteria can penetrate the wound site and cause
problems, but scientists have found that honey can destroy such
bacteria, as long as its the right kind.
Honey can even painlessly remove pus, scabs and dead tissue from
wounds and stimulates new tissue growth.
Soothes Coughs and Eases Colds
Perhaps among the most enjoyed
health benefits of honey, the superfood can be used to soothe
coughs or ease colds.
A mixture of fresh lemon juice and
raw honey provides soothing relief for sore throats and helps
stop the tickle that stimulates coughing. Raw honey - with all
its components including royal jelly, propolis and bee pollen -
is high in nutrients and enzymes which kill bacteria and
viruses.
Children given just a little bit of
honey before bed often sleep better and cough less than if given
nothing. Don’t forget about honey when searching for
home
remedies for cough.
Further adding on to the health benefits of honey, the food:
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Increases calcium
absorption.
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Can increase hemoglobin
count and treat or prevent anemia caused by nutritional
factors.
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Can help arthritic joints.
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Works as a natural and
gentle laxative, aids constipation.
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Provides instant energy
without the insulin surge caused by white sugar.
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Contains a wide array of
trace minerals such as calcium, iron, zinc, potassium,
phosphorous, magnesium, copper, chromium, manganese and
selenium, which are critical for healthy cellular
insulin sensitivity and blood sugar balance. This
superfood does have an effect on blood sugar and
contains approximately 53% fructose, so one should only
consume this in moderation.
Although honey can be a fantastic
health-boosting tool, using the wrong kind of honey may give you the
health benefits of honey you expect.
A
study conducted for Food Safety News
shows that at least 75% of the honey sold in the US is actually
not
real honey, according to Food and Drug Administration standards.
In
order for honey to be deemed “honey” in the United States, the honey
must contain pollen as it naturally would.
While the FDA has a strict rule on what
is and what isn’t considered real honey, they actually don’t bother
to check the honey sold, and so many people are consuming fake,
nutrient-depleted honey.
The simplest potential solution to this
problem would be for you to purchase honey at your local natural
health food store, or obtain your honey from a local beekeeper if at
all possible.
Additional sources
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