We all know honey makes a naturally delicious sweetener, but did you know it also contains powerful antioxidant, antiseptic and antibacterial properties that deliver an endless range of health benefits?
Health Benefits of Honey
People have long relied on the rich golden liquid to:
Soothe Throat Irritation
Honey’s antimicrobial properties soothe the lining of the throat and kill certain infectious bacteria, making it an excellent home remedy for the common cold and flu.
Honey contains a natural sugar that raises our insulin slightly and allows the sleep-inducing amino acid tryptophan to enter our brains more easily.
Boost Energy Levels
Ancient Olympic athletes consumed honey as part of their training. This is probably because honey is a rich source of carbohydrates, the primary fuel the body uses for energy — providing 17 grams per tablespoon.
Moisturize Hair & Skin
Honey is a natural humectant, meaning it attracts and retains moisture. This is why it’s a common ingredient in hand lotions, moisturizers, soaps, bubble baths, hair conditioners and cosmetics.
Treat Cuts, Scrapes and Burns
Hydrogen peroxide, an antimicrobial agent, is produced from an enzyme that bees carry and that exists naturally in honey. Interestingly, honey was used to treat infected wounds thousands of years before bacteria were identified as the cause of infection.
Bees carry the pollen that aggravates seasonal allergies, and some of that pollen becomes part of honey. Consuming daily doses of honey a few months before allergy season starts can help our bodies grow accustomed to this pollen and immunize themselves against it.
Boost the Immune System
Honey is jam-packed with polyphenols (a type of antioxidant that helps prevent cells from free radical damage) and flavonoids (antioxidants that help reduce the risk of some cancers and heart disease).