10 Health Benefits of Honey

Discover the health benefits of one of the oldest sweeteners on earth, plus some interesting trivia, some great recipes and a few cautions.

Bees swallow, digest and regurgitate nectar to make honey; this nectar contains almost 600 compounds. We need our bees, so let’s do everything we can to save them and keep them here on this earth.

Honey is so good we have included it in our list of powerfoods that should be in your kitchen right now.

“My son, eat thou honey, for it is good” — King Solomon – Proverbs: 24:13

Health Benefits:

1. Prevent cancer and heart disease:
Honey contains flavonoids, antioxidants which help reduce the risk of some cancers and heart disease.

2. Reduce ulcers and other gastrointestinal disorders.
Recent research shows that honey treatment may help disorders such as ulcers and bacterial gastroenteritis. This may be related to the 3rd benefit…

3. Anti-bacterial, anti-fungal, anti-fungal:
“All honey is antibacterial, because the bees add an enzyme that makes hydrogen peroxide,” said Peter Molan, director of the Honey Research Unit at the University of Waikato in New Zealand.

4. Increase athletic performance.
Ancient Olympic athletes would eat honey and dried figs to enhance their performance. This has now been verified with modern studies, showing that it is superior in maintaining glycogen levels and improving recovery time than other sweeteners.

5. Reduce cough and throat irritation:
Honey helps with coughs, particularly buckwheat honey. In a study of 110 children, a single dose of buckwheat honey was just as effective as a single dose of dextromethorphan in relieving nocturnal cough and allowing proper sleep.

Next page: MORE health benefits

1 of 4

Disclaimer: The views expressed above are solely those of the author and may not reflect those of
Care2, Inc., its employees or advertisers.

Natasha S.

12:03PM PDT on May 14, 2013

Manuka honey is the best!

May 14
send a green star

wael a.

5:09PM PDT on Apr 30, 2013

Thank you

April 30
send a green star

Justin M.

12:50PM PST on Mar 9, 2013

Thanks

March 9
send a green star

Sonia M.

3:56AM PST on Mar 2, 2013

Love honey.Thanks for the info

March 2
send a green star

Leia P.

3:15PM PST on Dec 30, 2012

trying

December 30
send a green star

Noe U.

6:01AM PST on Dec 22, 2012

Sal as with any curative herbs and spices, honey should be taken in moderation. Diabetics, especially those with high glucose levels usually have to monitor their carbohydrate intake. Honey is a carb and one tablespoon has approx 17 grams of carbs. Diabetics should monitor their glucose to see how it reacts to adding honey to their diets. The usual intake should be about two tablespoons per day. Also, making sure the honey is RAW and doesn't have additives like syrups and malts is also imperative. Honey has been utilized since antiquity for its curative benefits, and Royal Jelly, produced by the queen bees only, has been known to lower blood glucose. Remember NOT ALL HONEY IS RAW! And just because a product says organic does NOT mean it is unprocessed, unheated,and RAW!!! We love RAW honey and believe in its benefits, so we order from a company in NJ that sells local raw honey and raw honey blended with organic herbs and spices like cinnamon, black cumin (black seed), cayenne, and ginger... visit www.sahabisweets.com for info on raw honey and their delicious products!