Honey Benefits And Side Effects
What is Honey?
Nature’s best work, honey is deliciously versatile. This natural sweetener is acclaimed worldwide for its unique aroma and healthy properties. When it comes to taste, honey is sweet without much sugar flavor. This is perfect for spreading the toast for a go-to morning.
Honey is also very dense and attractive. Anyone can be tempted to eat from the spoon. Soft and rich in texture, it can be enjoyed directly from the jar.
Honey adds a unique flavor to any food or beverage. It turns out to be a flexible material for almost everything. We can certainly not ignore its excellent health – enhancing properties, including antibacterial power.
Honey nutrition
When trying to understand the health benefits of honey, we should also focus on the above honey nutrition facts.
Types of honey
The supermarket is filled with a wide variety of honey. Each exhibits its own taste and health benefits. Specifically, more than 300 types of honey are also classified based on their source and extraction process. Some of these popular types are listed below:
Manuka honey: It is high in Vitamin B1, B2, B3, B5 and B6. It helps in treating sore throat and cold.
Acacia honey: It is rich in vitamins A, C and E with floral flavor. It also helps in treating respiratory problems.
Buckwheat honey: It is dark and strong in all types of iron. It also helps protect the body from oxidative stress.
Clover honey: This is a popular variety with a pleasant taste. It is also used in salad dressings and sauces.
Eucalyptus honey: It is rich in herbal flavored minerals and vitamins. It is used for purposes
Sourwood honey: It is a light-colored honey with caramel flavor and sweet and nutty taste.
Tupelo honey: A type of sweet honey with a light-golden color. It also causes sweetness due to the precession of high-fructose content.
Sage honey: Light-colored honey with a pleasant taste is also very slow.
Linden Honey: This is a type that is famous for its fresh woody scent. It induces intoxication. It also helps in treating colds and coughs.
Aster Honey: Honey with a thick consistency and a distinctive sweet aroma. It is also commonly used in sweet drinks and desserts.
Best time to eat honey:
We have all heard of the amazing health benefits of honey. But we also rarely take it. There is no best time to eat honey. You can eat according to your own preferences. We also suggest adding honey to your daily routine at this time:
When you are tired: A natural source of carbohydrates, eat honey when you need an energy rush. It is best to eat honey before or after exercise.
Before bed: Eat 1 or 2 teaspoons of honey before bed. Honey raises your melatonin level. It can also help you sleep better.
When you are sick: Honey, which is known for its ability to treat coughs and colds, also acts as a natural over-the-counter medicine.
Health benefits of honey
The thick sweet liquid made by bees, honey also provides adequate health benefits due to its antibacterial action, wound healing effect, food antioxidants and anti-inflammatory actions. The best health benefits of honey are listed below:
1. Honey on the face – also prevents bacterial growth and fights pimples
One of the most favorite ingredients in DIY masks for a reason, honey is a favorite of everyone. It instantly brings a glow to the face and also brightens / softens the skin.
There are several benefits to using honey for the face:
Cleanses pores: Naturally antibacterial, honey also works great as a cleanser. It cleans your pores and makes for an excellent face wash.
Makes skin exfoliates: You can mix honey with baking soda. Use the mixture 2 times a week as well.
Treats acne: Honey prevents break-outs due to its antifungal properties. It also helps to heal acne quickly.
Moisture and Hydrates: Honey gives hydration. It also locks in moisture on your face.
Fades spots: Sweet honey has skin lightening properties. It lightens the scars of the face. It also reduces skin discoloration.
2. Honey for hair – Closes moisture in your hair. Strengthens hair follicles and also reduces hair fall
With health benefits, honey is equally useful for your hair. Adding honey to your hair care regime promotes healthy hair growth and reduces hair fall. For all those who are wondering how honey works for hair, here is the answer:
Honey makes a great hair conditioner. It makes your hair very soft. It also gives great texture to the hair.
Honey, which is rich in vitamins and minerals, stimulates new hair growth. It also improves overall hair health.
Honey strengthens and strengthens the hair follicles.
Honey keeps your scalp clean and free from infections. It also keeps you away from problems like dandruff and scalp itching.
If your hair is dull and lifeless due to increased pollution and sun exposure, do not be angry anymore as honey brings back the shine of your hair.
3. Honey for the skin – Prevents skin damage and also reduces aging
As a natural remedy for various skin problems, honey is perfectly suited for skin care. Many dermatologists also recommend the use of raw honey as an active ingredient for skin problems or products containing honey.
Honey reduces redness associated with inflamed skin. The skin is damaged.
It contains fatty acids and nutrients deep into the skin.
Honey softens the skin. Also acts as a natural emollient.
Honey, which is rich in powerful antioxidants, can also cure skin damage caused by free radicals.
The succulent nature of honey also makes it a holy grail for those with dry skin.
It also helps in faster healing when applied topically on skin wounds.
4. Honey for weight loss – reduces appetite and also helps in weight loss
No one thought this superfood would help with weight management either. Studies show that consuming honey before going to bed can help you lose those extra kilos of weight. Here’s how you can use honey to lose weight:
Also start your day with honey in warm water mixed with lemon to boost body metabolism.
Also use honey as an alternative to white sugar in your morning tea and coffee.
The combination of honey and cinnamon works together to prevent the accumulation of fat in the body.
Honey also stimulates the digestive system to effectively maintain weight.
If you are obese, honey will not only help you lose weight but also reduce your risk of heart related diseases.
5. Honey for cough – boosts immunity!
Buying a jar of honey is definitely a better approach to treating a cough than those nasty antibiotics. Honey treats cough and sore throat better than cough suppressants and over-the-counter medications. Convenient and inexpensive, a spoonful of honey is worth a try when you cough!
If you have a cough you can eat honey in its raw form.
Put a teaspoon of honey in a cup of hot tea – a natural remedy against cough.
Also mix honey with warm water and lemon against cough congestion.
Health Benefits of Hickory Nut Uses and Its Side Effects
6. Honey for babies – Keep them healthy and strong
Considering the abundance of nutrients present, honey is also beneficial for babies.
Provides immediate relief from colds, flu and cough.
It also boosts the immune system.
It also stimulates sleep in children
Supports normal bowel movements
The digestive system also takes care of health.
Promotes cognitive development in infants.
Warning: Honey can cause many health problems in infants under 1 year of age. Honey contains a type of bacteria called Clostridium botulism. It can also lead to food poisoning, muscle weakness, breathing problems and chronic constipation in infants.
7. Honey for diabetics – Control blood sugar levels
If you suffer from diabetes, like everything sweet, do not give up your sweet desires. Because honey is a great alternative to sugar!
Honey is a natural sweetener and compared to sugar, it does not raise blood sugar levels rapidly. However, moderation is crucial if you have diabetes! Also, consult your doctor and check your blood sugar levels when consuming honey. Find out how much is right for your health.
People with diabetes should not eat honey raw and should also mix it with some healthy ingredients like yogurt, cinnamon, neem, turmeric, lemon, ginger, green tea and basil to support a healthy lifestyle.
Honey recipes
Whether used for drizzle on desserts, sauces and dressings or added to your favorite drinks, this sweet honey can turn any meal into a masterpiece. Honey is a kitchen staple and a must for sweet tasting food and beverages as well.
Add honey to muffins, rolls, oats, buns, waffles, smoothies, pudding and toast for a perfect breakfast delight.
Make hot ginger tea, frozen lots, milkshakes, lemonade and cocktails by mixing them with honey.
Also add a little honey to vegetables or fruit salads to give your classic food a better taste.
Prepare delightful sauces and dressings using honey and your favorite ingredients.
Also add honey when making sweet desserts including brownies & cupcakes to enhance both taste and nutritional value.
Also bake some delicious cookies and cakes using this natural sweetener.
Explore: The best homemade honey recipes for a healthy lifestyle
Side effects of honey
Honey is safe in adults and children over 1 year of age. However, some people have hypersensitivity and may experience adverse effects.
Food poisoning has also been reported in children under 1 year of age due to eating honey.
Heating honey produces a chemical compound called hydroxymethylferfural (HMF), which damages DNA.
Eating too much honey can also cause stomach problems like bloating, cramps and diarrhea.
People who are allergic to honey may have difficulty swallowing & breathing, asthma, itching and inflammation.
Honey can cause chest pain and low blood pressure in some people.
Excessive consumption of honey also weakens the enamel that leads to cavities in the teeth.
Other rare side effects include nausea, vomiting, skin rashes, weakness, epilepsy, and abdominal pain.
Best Honey Brands
Honey is considered one of the best health foods in the world. This thick liquid contains an amazing number of vitamins, minerals and antioxidants. However, to get the most out of this sweet honey, it is important to choose the cherry among the best and organic honey.
This can be challenging as there are sugar-filled and adulterated honey on the market. So, also carefully choose the best honey brands to enjoy the goodness that this super food offers.