Honey has been used for thousands of years for its health benefits. Today, the use of honey is especially important, not only for health but for the conservation of the bee population. By using honey, there are many natural benefits to your body that promote healing, wellness, and enjoyment.
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1. Gives You Antioxidants
Antioxidants clear out free radicals from your system. Free radicals cause damage and are one of the main components that cause aging. Antioxidants protect you from this, helping your body to live longer and healthier.
Several studies have shown that high-quality honey holds many important antioxidants, including phenolic compounds and organic acids like flavonoids. There is some speculation that pasteurization may reduce the number of antioxidants. Choosing raw honey can avoid this.
2. Boosts Brain Health
Honey has both antioxidant and anti-inflammatory power to boost the health of your brain. Research has shown that honey consumption helped to protect the brain against chemical brain damage. Because of the high content of antioxidants, honey removes free radicals that may destroy brain cells.
Honey also helps with inflammation in the brain. The hippocampus is an important part of the brain that aids in memory. With inflammation in the hippocampus, quick recollection may be more difficult. Raw honey reduces the amount of inflammation.
3. Keeps Your Heart Healthy
Honey can help your heart health in multiple ways. The antioxidants help to protect your heart and guard you against having a heart attack. It does this by reducing oxidative stress on your heart and preventing clots.
Honey may also help your arteries to dilate, increasing your blood flow out of the heart. Honey has also been linked to lower blood pressure. Studies involving both humans and rats saw decent reductions in blood pressure from honey consumption.
4. Improve Cholesterol Levels
Another way that honey can improve heart health is by lowering bad cholesterol and boosting good cholesterol. High bad cholesterol levels are one of the key indicators that you are at high risk for a heart attack. This type of cholesterol builds up fat in your arteries, leading to eventual strokes or heart attacks.
Several studies have shown that honey both reduces bad cholesterol and raises good cholesterol to improve overall health. With the balancing of your cholesterol, you may even see a small amount of weight loss.
5. Promotes Wound Healing
One of the oldest natural benefits of honey is the promotion of wound healing. Since ancient Egypt, honey has been used in the treatment of wounds and burns. Known for its antimicrobial properties, honey helps to kill bacteria, reduce inflammation, and nourish the body’s cells.
Over 20 studies found honey beneficial to healing wounds, especially those infected after surgery. Some studies reported a 97% success rate of honey in healing diabetic ulcers. Honey is also helpful in healing other skin conditions, including herpes lesions and psoriasis.
6. Aid In Cough Suppression
One of the most well-known benefits is its ability to aid in cough suppression and soothe sore throats. Many singers and actors are known to eat honey when preparing for a large performance to aid their throat.
A couple of studies have shown that honey is even more effective in suppressing coughs than common cough medications. This is especially important for children with upper respiratory infections who may not be able to sleep due to coughing. Honey should only be given to children a year or older.
7. Ease Pollen Allergies
Eating raw, local honey may help your seasonal pollen allergies. Some studies suggest that eating local honey may reduce congestion and ease some allergies. This may be due to the pollen that gets collected by the bees and mixed with honey in small amounts so that your body can train on how to deal with the allergen. The key here is making sure your honey is produced by bees getting nectar from your local plants.
8. Allows You To Eat Sweet And Healthy
The best benefit of honey is that it allows you to continue enjoying sweet food while also eating healthily. Some studies show that honey is a good alternative for diabetics to avoid sugar. You’ll encourage brain health, heart health, and overall health while eating sweets.
Eating honey is not only good for you but delicious. Honey can vary in its benefits according to the types of flowers the bees pollinate. However, raw, local honey will have the maximum amount of benefits. If you’re looking for more information on healthy living, visit our Aging Healthy blog today and learn more!
