Benefits of Honey – Mother Nature’s Gift for Sleep
As unique and versatile as it is delicious, there are plenty of reasons to celebrate honey. Honey is a naturally occurring gift from Mother Nature. It provides more benefits than we can list. These include its nourishing, moisturizing, medicinal, anti-inflammatory, and anti-bacterial properties.
by Greg Montoya
Following are the most common benefits of honey:
Antioxidant Properties
Some of the key health benefits of honey result from its antioxidant content. Natural, raw honey contains a number of compounds that function as antioxidants, including flavonoids, phytochemicals, and ascorbic acid. Antioxidants reduce oxidative stress by fighting free radicals. Studies have linked oxidative stress with several chronic health conditions, including cancer.
Helps You Sleep
Consuming raw honey before bed can help you sleep. This provides the necessary fuel for your brain during the night. Also, by restocking the glycogen in your liver. Honey also helps the brain release the hormone melatonin that the body uses to restore itself while sleeping.
Supports Weight Loss
Honey is a healthy source of nutrients that can help people lose weight if consumed in limited amounts. Most people struggle to lose weight because we eat too much processed foods and sugar. Honey contains sugar. But, when compared to refined sugar honey is loaded with essential vitamins and minerals as well. All refined sugar has to offer are empty calories, meaning there is no benefit in eating it. Therefore, eating a lot of refined sugar leads to weight gain. This is not only because of the extra calories. Moreover, because of the lack of vitamins and minerals.
Honey works as a fuel to make the liver produce glucose that keeps brain sugar levels high. It forces it to release fat burning hormones. Also, important to note is that if you replace sugar with honey, you can balance the signal in the brain. This triggers the attraction to consuming more refined sugar.
Relieves Coughs
Varying studies suggest that honey provides an effective way to lower the frequency and severity of a child’s nighttime cough. Most cough medications are not safe for children, so honey is a great alternative for those over a year old. A few studies have also suggested that honey may be as effective as some over-the-counter cough medicines.
Respiratory Infections
According to a meta-analysis and systematic review published in BMJ Evidence-Based Medicine, honey may be a better treatment option for upper respiratory tract infections than other common remedies. Two of three studies that compared honey with placebo found a beneficial effect on a variety of symptoms. Honey is superior when it came to common care for improving cough frequency, and other combined symptoms. When traditional remedies were examined separately, honey ended up outperforming diphenhydramine and was similar to dextromethorphan.
Antibacterial Action
Honey acts as a natural antimicrobial and antibacterial agent, containing hydrogen peroxide and glucose oxidase. Honey also has a low pH level, meaning it can kill harmful fungi and bacteria. Thanks to its unique chemical composition, honey also doesn’t support the growth of bacteria or yeast
Heals Wounds
Because of its antibacterial abilities, honey can be used to clean and heal wounds. Several studies suggest that honey can be used as a healing dressing for wounds. This is because of its antibacterial, antioxidant, and anti-inflammatory properties. Additional evidence has also suggested that honey has antifungal and antiviral properties. In addition, because honey is acidic, it can help release oxygen from the wound which promotes healing.
Protects the Brain
Raw honey has antidepressant, anxiolytic, anticonvulsant and antinociceptive effects and improves the oxidative status of the brain. Some studies have shown that consuming honey can protect against brain damage caused by exposure to lead. Raw honey contains ingredients that can also help fight inflammation in the hippocampus. This is the area of the brain involved with memory.
Helps Treat Digestive Problems
Honey is used to treat digestive issues that include diarrhea. It is also an effective treatment for Helicobacter pylori bacteria, a frequent cause of stomach ulcers. Honey also acts as a potent probiotic that nourishes the good bacteria that live in the intestines. Thus, not only crucial for digestion but our overall health.
Natural Energy Booster
A bit of honey added to vegetables, fruits, whole grains, yogurt, and other healthy foods increases your total daily nutrition content. Also, gives you a nice natural energy boost. Thus, providing 17 grams of carbohydrates, the body’s primary fuel. Also, only 64 calories a tablespoon. Honey provides a pure and natural energy source that’s easy to work into your everyday life.
From using it on our morning toast, to applying it to a minor burn, honey definitely comes in handy. Once you start consuming honey every day, you will soon become aware of its true benefits. Real benefits that humans have been reaping the rewards of for centuries. So, why not eat or drink honey every day? It just makes sense, right? To enjoy the best health benefits, use raw, unfiltered honey.
COMING SOON! Go To Sleep Honey – Infused with Melatonin
REFERENCES:
Honey Beats Traditional Treatment for Respiratory Infections
Honey is one of the best sleep remedies there is!
Honey is truly incredible!