8 health benefits of honey according to scientists
Honey has been used since ancient times not only as food, but also as a remedy for burns, wounds and various infectious and inflammatory diseases.
The composition of honey is directly determined by the type of bees and the plants they use. It can have any taste, aroma and color.
Modern science has confirmed many health benefits of honey. It is known that he Strengthens the immune system , has an antibacterial effect and is able to significantly reduce the risk of developing malignant tumors and cardiovascular pathologies.
8 useful properties
Consider the 8 main facts about the benefits of honey for the human body (based on evidence).
1. Contains nutrients
Honey consists of about 80% sugars, 18% water. The exact volume of the liquid is determined by the type of bees and plants, as well as the degree of industrial processing.
Caloric content of honey is high enough - about 304 calories per 100 grams.
Honey contains practically no dietary fiber, proteins (only some essential amino acids) and fats. It contains small amounts of iron, iodine, cobalt, copper, fluorine, zinc, potassium, calcium, phosphorus, magnesium and some vitamins of group B, C, PP.
Scientists celebrate that the main advantage of honey is the abundance of antioxidants and other plant compounds. At the same time, the darker the variety, the higher they are.
2. It has an antioxidant effect
How claim
scientists from the USA, high-quality honey is saturated with valuable antioxidants: organic acids and phenolic compounds (flavonoids).
It also contains useful amino acids and enzymes secreted by bees.
The combination of the described components makes honey an incredibly powerful antioxidant. Studies show that buckwheat honey contains the largest amount of antioxidant substances.
Antioxidants protect all cells of the body from the effects of free radicals (formed during oxidative stress). It is these aggressive molecules that play an important role in the development of malignant tumors and some chronic diseases (type II diabetes mellitus, Crohn's disease, etc.).
Antioxidants can reduce the likelihood of age-related diseases of the visual organs, as well as reduce the risk of myocardial infarction and stroke. Similar data lead specialists from Malaysia.
3. Reduces blood pressure
Employees of the National University of Malaysia installed
that the plant compounds in honey have the ability to
expand
small and large arterial vessels, including coronary ones.
This feature allows you to use honey to lower blood pressure and increase blood flow to the heart muscle, which is especially important during coronary heart disease (the frequency and severity of seizures decreases).
Similar data demonstrate experiments on rats. In all rodents, blood pressure decreased and oxidative stress was suppressed during the experiments.
High blood pressure is a significant cardiovascular risk factor and can contribute to the development of strokes, chronic and acute heart failure.
Honey is recommended for both men and women to prevent serious complications from the heart and blood vessels (in the absence of disorders of carbohydrate metabolism, for example, diabetes mellitus).
4. Reduces cholesterol levels
High levels of total cholesterol, as well as its atherogenic fractions – LDL and TAG, are an important risk factor for the development of atherosclerosis and diseases such as coronary heart disease, myocardial infarction, stroke.
Vascular catastrophes occur when the lumen of the arteries is completely blocked atherosclerotic plaques or thrombotic masses formed on the surface of damaged plaques.
Egyptian scientists discovered that the use of honey allows you to bring lipid metabolism back to normal, as well as increase the content of useful cholesterol in the blood – HDL, which prevent the deposition of cholesterol crystals in the walls of blood vessels.
According to the Bu-Ali Research Institute (Iran), the consumption of 70 grams of honey per day allows reduce the concentration of total cholesterol in the blood by 3.3%, LDL – by 4.3%, TAG – by 19%. The exact mechanisms have not been fully studied, it is assumed that the hypocholesterolemic effect is associated with a change in the work of liver enzymes.
5. Improves heart function
Phenolic compounds of honey (quercetin, phenethyl ester of caffeic acid, acacetin, kemferol, etc.) are extremely useful for coordinated work of the heart muscle
.
They improve metabolic processes at the level of cardiomyocytes, preventing dystrophic and atrophic changes, and support the conduction of nerve fibers. This information lead experts from Malaysia.
As already mentioned, the beekeeping product improves blood flow to the heart and reduces the risk of thrombotic masses (blood clots), which can cause myocardial infarction.
Selected studies demonstrate honey's ability to inhibit free radical mechanisms is in the heart muscle.
The effects described above can protect the human heart from any negative effects (insufficient blood flow, smoking and alcohol abuse) and reduce the risk of arrhythmias.
6. Accelerates the healing of wounds and burns
A major review of the literature data carried out by scientists from New Zealand, shows
that honey is able to accelerate the healing of wounds (including infected ones) after surgical interventions.
According to information American scientists, the product can be used for the treatment of diabetic ulcers on the feet, which can lead to amputation of limbs.
Assumed that the medicinal properties of honey are due to its antibacterial and anti-inflammatory effects. The product normalizes local metabolic processes and accelerates the recovery rate of any damaged tissues.
Scientists from Iran and Pakistan believe that honey also activates local immune factors, which promotes rapid healing of burn surfaces.
The beekeeping product is no less effective for the treatment of other skin diseases. A positive effect on the course has been proven psoriasis and herpetic infections (when used topically – rubbing or taking medications with honey extract).
7. Effective for coughing
Cough is a common companion of colds and other diseases of the upper respiratory tract. It can worsen the quality of life and sleep.
Scientific research show that honey is able to reduce the severity of cough. At the same time, it does not have the side effects inherent in medicines.
Employees of the University of Medical Sciences named after Shahida Sadugi (Iran) even installed that the beekeeping product is more effective than some medicines (dextromethorphan and diphenhydramine).
Honey effectively eliminates any manifestations of cough and can be used for its therapy in children to avoid the negative effects of medications.
However, scientists do not recommend give honey to children under 1 year of age due to the risk of developing botulism and allergies.
8. Has antibacterial effect
Honey is about 80% sugar. A similar property, according to the information
specialists from the USA, allows you to inhibit the vital activity of certain bacteria and fungi.
Sugars increase the osmotic pressure of honey, which allows it to "pull" water from the cells of pathogenic microorganisms, which stops their growth and reproduction.
The greatest effectiveness of honey is found with local exposure. It can improve oral health, as well as have some effect on the course of gastritis, pancreatitis and even hepatitis.
Possible harm
Of course, honey is an extremely useful product from the point of view of folk and evidence-based medicine. However, it has contraindications and in some cases can cause significant harm to health.
The most common undesirable effects of honey are:
- Increased blood glucose levels. Excessive consumption of honey can significantly increase the concentration of sugar in the blood. The product is not recommended for use by people suffering from type I and type II diabetes mellitus.
- Poisoning. Honey is a valuable nutrient medium for clostridium. They accumulate botulinum toxins and can lead to damage to the nervous system. For adults, such concentrations are not dangerous, but in children under one year old they can cause severe damage to the nervous system, up to paralysis of the respiratory muscles.
- Intoxication. Bees, when collecting nectar, can capture a number of toxic substances present in plants. Toxins tend to cause food poisoning. For prevention purposes, it is recommended to buy honey from trusted producers who breed bees in ecologically clean areas of the globe.
- Allergic reactions. Are associated with an increased sensitivity of the body to certain honey proteins. They usually manifest in severe form (anaphylactic shock, angioedema). In the presence of allergic pathologies in the anamnesis, honey is strictly contraindicated.
Honey is allowed to be consumed during pregnancy, however, in small quantities (up to 30 ml per day). Such volumes will not have a negative effect on the condition of the fetus, but they can improve the general condition of a pregnant woman and provide prevention of certain disorders (for example, anemia), partially compensate for the lack of vitamins and minerals in the body.
Admission Tips
Below are some simple tips for the proper use of honey:
- Daily allowance. It is allowed to take no more than 50-100 ml (up to 3.5 tablespoons) of the product per day. Neglecting this standard can lead to the formation of excess fatty tissues and disrupt carbohydrate metabolism in the body.
- The optimal time of admission. Honey is better to eat in the morning or in the daytime. Taking honey on an empty stomach is allowed only in conjunction with other products (porridge, water). It is better to abandon the use of honey at night because of the abundance of sugars, which can cause severe stress on the gastrointestinal tract and disrupt sleep.
- How to choose in the store. Really high-quality honey should slowly flow over the edges of the jar, have a floral-spicy taste and aroma, the color can be any. Preference should be given to honey packed in an airtight container (rolled up jars). It is important to pay attention to crystallization, it normally occurs 1-2 months after collection.
- What can be combined with. Honey perfectly harmonizes with any fruits and berries, fruit salads. It is better not to take it with bakery and dairy products.
- How to store. Honey can only be stored in sealed containers in a dark place and at an ambient temperature of about 10-20 degrees.
- Use in cooking. Honey is often used as a sauce for meat dishes and salads. In Russian cuisine, it is added to many drinks (herbal and berry teas), fruit drinks.
Conclusion
Thus, honey is rich in antioxidants and various compounds that are valuable for health.
It is able to prevent the development of many cardiovascular diseases, eliminate the manifestations of cough, improve the health of the oral cavity and digestive system and, most importantly, protect against cancer.
