Honey has been known for centuries to possess numerous hidden nutritional and medicinal properties. This sticky sweet natural syrup is found in most kitchens, and is filled with antibacterial and antifungal properties used as far back as ancient Egyptians.
Honey, the superfood, provides health benefits for the whole body. This healthy natural sweetener gives many nutritional benefits. Raw honey is the unpasteurized type. A tablespoon of this honey has 64 calories, is fat-free, cholesterol-free, and sodium-free. It is roughly 80% carbohydrates, 18% water, and 2% vitamins, minerals, and amino acids.
Honey can be a problem for infants.
Spores of clostridium botulinum bacteria which may be found in honey may cause infant botulism that produces a toxin that can manifest muscle weakness and breathing issues. The Mayo Clinic recommends not giving honey to a baby until after it has reached 12 months of age. For older people honey is safe, because they have a developed digestive system which is able to deal with the spores.
Using honey responsibly, you can gain numerous health benefits.
A. Helps with Allergies
Honey is an anti-inflammatory, soothes coughs, and, therefore, can help reduce seasonal allergy symptoms.
Although there are no clinical studies proving its efficacy, Dr. Matthew Brennecke, a board certified naturopathic doctor practicing at the Rocky Mountain Wellness Center in Fort Collins, Colo., told Medical Daily in an email, “A common theory is that honey acts like a natural vaccine.” Honey encapsulates small amounts of pollen, which we are exposed to. Thereby it can trigger an immune response producing antibodies to the pollen. “After repeated exposure, you should build up these antibodies and the body should become accustomed to their presence so that less histamine is released, resulting in a lesser allergic response.”
B. All-Natural Energy Drink
Honey works as a source of natural energy with only 17 grams of carbohydrates in a tablespoon. This unprocessed sugar — fructose and glucose — directly enter the bloodstream and can deliver a quick boost of energy. This effect is referenced in one incident in the life of Jonathan, King Saul’s son. The rise in blood sugar acts as a short-term energy source for you if you are say doing a workout, especially when you are involved in some long endurance exercises.
Brennecke said there is a con to adding honey to your workout. “If your goal in exercising is to increase muscle mass, working out on an empty stomach first thing in the morning is the way to go. When your body is in starvation mode (upon waking in morning), and you start exercising, you release insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1), which will help you build bulk,” he said. Brennecke warns this only works when blood sugars are low.
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