Read on to learn about the buzzworthy benefits of honey, plus ideas for honey recipes.
What Is Honey?
The result is honey, which serves as food for the bees…and people!
Unsplash // Art Rachen.
That’s because they’re responsible for many of the health benefits of honey, she explains.
It’s meant to be consumed in small amounts since it’s high in sugar.
But there are certain benefits of eating honey that you won’t get from white table sugar.
Check out the potential health benefits of honey, below.
(Free radicals are harmful unstable molecules produced by factors such as environmental pollution and unhealthy diets.)
Chan School of Public Health.
But antioxidants such as those in honey can help keep these free radicals at bay.
The flavonoids and polyphenols in honey also minimize inflammation, according to a2017 scientific review.
What’s more, honey offers vitamin C, a micronutrient with disease-fighting antioxidant properties.
flu, tonsillitis, sinus infection).
The study found that honey offered the greatest symptom relief out of the three substances.
Additionalresearchalso backs this up, suggesting that the benefits of honey may make it an effective cough treatment.
Need even more proof?
Severalstudiesshow that applying pharmaceutical-grade honey dressings facilitates faster healing of surgical cuts, among other wounds.
And, hey, maybe it’ll include a product containing honey.
Supports Brain Health
The benefits of honey may impact your brain as well.
Here’s the deal: Oxidative stress can destroy nerve cells, or neurons, according to a2019 article.
This is a BFD, asneuronsregulate cognitive functions (e.g.
memory, learning) by sending electrical impulses.
Neural damage can hinder these processes, thereby promoting cognitive decline and conditions.
This ensures those beneficial microbes can grow and thrive, effectively suppressing the activity of harmful bugs.
(Pro tip: Eatthese foods togetherto also promote optimal nutrient absorption.)
Potential Risks of Honey
TheMayo Clinicdeems honey as “generally considered safe.”
Although possible, a honey allergy is fairly rare, according to a2017 case report.
(Remember, the bee regurgitates nectar to get to make honey.
The more you know!)
This is noteworthy because hyperglycemia can increase the risk of diabetes complications, including nerve damage and heart disease.
Beyond that, which bang out of honey to choose comes down to your preferences and needs.
If your priority is the nutritional value, go for raw honey sans additives or preservatives, suggests Kujawski.
But if you want something smooth, the pasteurized stuff might be the way to go.
And then, of course, there’s the matter of simply choosing what you like.
you could also find honey as an ingredient in packaged foods such ashigh-protein cerealand bottled beverages.
If limiting these ingredients is a concern, look for products without these components by checking the label first.
At home, honey doesn’t need to be refrigerated, according to the aforementioned 2017 scientific review.
Honey Recipes
On top of each benefit of honey, the ingredient is super versatile.
Here are several delicious ideas for using honey at home:
In drinks.
Perhaps the easiest way to use honey is to mix it into beverages.
You could even stir honey into plain hot water for a soothing and simple drink.
In condiments.A honey-based vinaigrette can bring out the sweetness of your veggies and fruits or balance out spicy flavors.
Or try thiseasy salad dressingwhich only requires three ingredients.
As a marinade.When cooked with ingredients such as veggies or meat, honey turns into a mouthwatering glaze.
Try thisavocado tartine with banana and limeor makeyogurt toastif you’re craving something sweet.
