7 Health Benefits of Honey

Honey has always been touted as a wonder food because of its numerous health and healing benefits. Most kitchens around the world do have this liquid in the pantry and why not? After all, honey is found to contain antifungal as well as antibacterial properties that have been used for centuries.

The beauty of this golden liquid is that it is actually good for the whole body. If you’re going to break down the contents of a tablespoon of honey, you will find that it is free from cholesterol, sodium, and fat and only has 64 calories to boot. This means that, although honey does have its benefits, consuming too much isn’t good at all.

So what are the benefits that you can gain from honey?

1. Natural energy drink. If you’re looking for something to boost your energy without relying too much on energy drinks then honey is the answer. Containing 17 grams of carbohydrates for each tablespoon, the honey gets to enter your bloodstream directly and can give you the energy you need. You need to keep in mind, however, that this only works with those with low blood sugar levels.
2. Suppressing cough. For those who are battling with colds and cough, then you’ll be happy to know that honey is an excellent treatment for that pesky cough. Consuming two teaspoons of honey can actually help alleviate cough especially when you’re sleeping.
3. Dandruff treatment. Dandruff can cause discomfort as well as embarrassment for some people but with honey, you can find relief from scaling of your scalp and relief from itching. Combine honey with 10 percent of warm water and apply the solution to problem areas to get the relief you need.
4. Good for burns and wounds. Since honey can function as an antibiotic, you can use it both externally and internally. Wounds and burns can be treated using honey. Simply apply some on the affected area repeatedly until you see improvement.
5. It helps you sleep better. Having trouble getting a good night’s sleep? Just like sugar, honey is found to be effective when it comes to increasing your insulin levels while releasing serotonin in your system. Once serotonin is released, it is then transformed into melatonin which is responsible for regulating the length of your sleep, including quality.
6. Improve memory. Honey is found to contain plenty of antioxidants that can help protect your cells from damage as well as loss in the brain. One study shows that menopausal women who took a spoonful of honey daily improved their memory significantly. What’s more, this golden liquid is also found to improve the body’s ability to absorb calcium which is suitable for brain health.

Allergy relief. The anti-inflammatory properties of honey including its ability to soothe pesky coughs led health experts to believe that honey can also be useful in treating allergies. Although there is still no sufficient data to support this claim, some naturopaths believe that the honey contains minute amounts of pollen that can help your body create antibodies against the pollen to reduce allergic reactions.