Health Benefits of Honey

Honey exhibits a surprising number of health benefits, many known for thousands of years. It is best known as an antibiotic, used to treat cuts and burns, but also relieve sore throats, suppressing coughs due to colds, as well as improve immune system function.

Honey is an amazing health food!

Sugar (sucrose) replacement for diabetics
Honey is 1 to 1.5 times as sweet as sugar (comparing dry weight) due to its fructose content.

When compared with table sugar, honey has been recognized as having a number of beneficial health properties, including slower uptake into the bloodstream, a pharmacological action of reducing blood glucose levels and a high level of bioavailable antioxidants, all of which may mean that honey could be less harmful to health than sucrose in the diet
When calculating carbohydrate intake for the day, the carbohydrate content of one tablespoon of honey is equivalent to one cup of chopped apple. Consuming honey will result in a lower blood sugar response than an equivalent amount of sucrose.

Provides energy for the liver and brain

 Honey is the best natural food to accomplish this liver fueling due to the nearly 1:1 ratio of fructose to glucose found in honey. It is fructose that “unlocks” the enzyme from the hepatocyte nucleus that is necessary for the incorporation of glucose into glycogen in the liver. An adequate glycogen store in the liver is essential for brain fuel during the night fast and during prolonged exercise.

Reduces metabolic stress
an adequate glycogen store in the liver is essential for brain fuel during the night fast and during prolonged exercise. Without sufficient glycogen, the brain triggers the release of stress hormones – adrenalin and cortisol – in order to convert muscle protein into glucose. Repeated metabolic stress from cortisol produced in excess when there are less than optimal liver glycogen stores during sleep, leads over time, to impaired glucose metabolism, insulin resistance, diabetes and increased risk for cardiovascular disease, hypertension, obesity, osteoporosis, some forms of cancer, and several neuro-degenerative conditions. All are conditions associated with increased oxidative stress.

Is an effective cough suppressant
Honey has been used for centuries to treat Upper Repository Infections (URI), Sooth sore throats and relieve cough. Honey has well-established antioxidant and antimicrobial effects. Improves digestion and reduces many gastrointestinal disorders
the antibacterial properties of honey can be very effective in fighting bacteria, even against some strains of resistant bacteria and at low concentrations. The use of honey for prevention and treatments of gastrointestinal disorders such as peptic ulcers, gastritis, and gastroenteritis has been reported in various books and publications from Eastern Europe [10, 11, 12]

Fresh honey with a moisture content above 18% contains Gluconobacter and Lactobacillus probiotics. Honey also promotes growth of probiotics. Oligosaccharides, a constituent of honey causes an increase of bifidobacteria and lactobacilli and exert the prebiotic effect in a synergistic mode of action

Improves and restores the immune system
Fresh, unprocessed honey has been shown to stimulate antibody production.

Effective antioxidant reduces effects of aging
Honey reduces oxidative stress. Free radicals and reactive oxygen species (ROS) have been implicated in contributing to the processes of aging and disease. Humans protect themselves from these damaging compounds, in part, by absorbing antioxidants from high-antioxidant foods.

Reduces risks for some forms of cancer
Honey has been shown to be effective in controlling tumor growth and metastasis. Honey has potential to become a supplement for cancer therapy.

 Diabetic ulcers treated with honey
Diabetic ulcers uncured by oral antibiotics successfully treated with honey.

Speeds healing of first and second degree burns

A honey dressing for healing of burns has been used historically. With the increase of antibiotic resistant bacteria, it is gaining new attention as an alternative treatment. Unprocessed, undiluted honey has been shown to speed healing for first and second degree burns.
i review this notes after reading and understanding the health benefits of pure honey.