The Health Benefits of Honey - More Than Just a Sweetener!

Honey has been enjoyed for thousands of years, but what’s not so well known is how beneficial it can be to your health! While we are all familiar with honey as a delicious and healthy sweetener, the benefits of honey go far beyond your favorite sweet treat. Here are just some of the surprising health benefits that honey can offer you and your family.

Antibacterial, antiviral, and anti-inflammatory properties

Honey may have antibacterial, antiviral, and anti-inflammatory properties that make it useful in treating wounds, as well as allergies and coughs. A study in Immunopharmacology found that honey kills common pathogens like streptococcus (strep throat), staphylococcus (staph infections), E. coli (urinary tract infections), and even candida yeast (yeast infections). The health benefits of honey may also be linked to its flavonoids, and antioxidants which some researchers believe to protect against chronic inflammation-related diseases like cancer. Because honey's antioxidant abilities are heightened by higher temperatures during cooking or baking, you might want to use honey with caution if you're eating it for its antioxidant health benefits. Honey may also help prevent heart disease, improve memory function, lower blood pressure, boost immunity, and slow down signs of aging. Of course, there's not enough research yet to prove any of these benefits definitively. But because honey is safe for most people and comes with very few side effects (aside from mild gastrointestinal distress when consumed on an empty stomach), there's no harm in adding honey to your diet if you think it could help improve your overall health. Adding honey to your diet could give you an extra nutritional boost—it has been shown to have up to 77% more antioxidants than sugar does!

On top of all these potential benefits?

Great for sleep and relaxation

Melatonin, a chemical in honey produced by bees, helps control your body's natural sleep and wake cycle. While it's not recommended for kids or pregnant women, one tablespoon of honey before bed is perfect for adults looking to fall asleep faster. In addition to relaxation benefits, studies also show that raw honey can lower blood pressure and cholesterol levels. So next time you need some calming down time, try sweetening your cup of tea with honey instead of sugar.

Helps with seasonal allergies

When you’re suffering from seasonal allergies, honey might be just what you need to keep your symptoms at bay. In one study, published in International Immunopharmacology, researchers found that honey works in much the same way as immunotherapy: both are made up of small molecules that can help get rid of allergens before they have a chance to react with your immune system. Researchers in Switzerland followed 28 people who suffered from birch pollen allergy and divided them into two groups: One group received local honey therapy while the other received an injection (placebo). Both groups showed improvement—about 70 percent among those who got honey and 60 percent for those who got placebo—but there was no difference between them.

Aids in digestion and constipation relief

Healthy enzymes and antioxidants present in honey can help dissolve food clogs in your colon and prevent constipation. Its pleasant taste is a boon for people suffering from constipation or Irritable Bowel Syndrome, making it easier to take remedies without gagging. Consuming honey has also been linked to relieving digestive disorders like Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD) because of its anti-inflammatory, anti-spasmodic, and anti-ulcerative properties. And since honey acts as an antiseptic, eating it may even relieve indigestion caused by acid reflux. So if you are looking for a way to soothe your stomach after a big meal, try adding some honey instead of sugar—you might be surprised at how much better you feel afterward!

Great for hair and skin health

Honey is great for hair and skin health, too. It’s actually known to be one of nature’s best moisturizers.  Applying honey directly to your face or hair has been shown to increase elasticity, as well as reduce dryness, rough texture, and oiliness. You can also use honey in homemade masks or scrubs—or buy pre-made products at natural food stores that are made with honey. Some studies even suggest that honey may have anti-aging benefits because it helps slow down collagen degradation and wrinkling by inhibiting tyrosinase (an enzyme). So not only does honey help you look younger, but it tastes delicious on toast, bagels, pancakes, and more!

Supports weight loss

Those who are trying to lose weight can reap significant health benefits from adding honey to their diets. Not only is honey easy to find, but it’s also relatively inexpensive; depending on your location, honey is likely available at most grocery stores and costs less than $5 per container. Honey is made when bees harvest nectar from flowers; over time, enzymes in the bees' saliva cause a chemical reaction that reduces nectar's water content and creates liquid gold. That mixture—honey—is roughly 80 percent sugar and 20 percent nutrients such as vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants. Some research suggests these compounds can help lower cholesterol levels, reduce inflammation levels in blood vessels and support weight loss among other potential health benefits. And honey may be even more effective for weight loss than artificial sweeteners. In one study published in Diabetes Care, researchers gave overweight participants a sugary beverage with either honey or an artificial sweetener every day for 12 weeks. The researchers found that participants who consumed honey instead of an artificial sweetener experienced greater weight loss and lowered triglyceride levels (blood fats) after just three months. These findings suggest honey could potentially have beneficial effects on heart health and overall wellness among people looking to lose weight. If you're looking for an alternative sweetener to use in place of refined sugars or artificial sweeteners, consider switching to honey as part of your daily diet plan.

Honey and diabetes

Honey can be an effective alternative sweetener for diabetics and those looking to lose weight. Honey contains sugar in an easily digestible form, which prevents blood sugar spikes (and subsequent drops). Honey has been shown to help lower blood glucose levels in humans. A study published in Diabetes Care discovered that rats fed honey had reduced blood glucose levels and even better insulin sensitivity than animals that consumed table sugar. Honey also contains antioxidants, iron, manganese, zinc, and other nutrients not commonly found in typical sweeteners like high fructose corn syrup or agave nectar. It also doesn’t have artificial ingredients as many natural sweeteners do.