Honey benefits you in more ways than you can imagine. In this article, we’ll talk about the most amazing benefits of honey for your health.
The journey from bee to bottle begins with flower nectar – Honey, the most widely used sweetener, is as old as written history and is one of the most valued natural products. It is extensively used as both food and medicine. Honey can be broadly categorized into raw and processed honey.
There are umpteen types of honey available across the world with as many varieties in color, taste, smell, and texture. It is, however, argued that raw honey is more beneficial than its pasteurized form.
Research on honey has proven that it contains a myriad of fascinating properties that can cure a multitude of diseases.
Honey has been traditionally used to treat eye infections, asthma, throat infections, tuberculosis, thirst, hiccups, dizziness, fatigue, hepatitis, eczema, ulcers, and wounds besides being used as a nutritional supplement.
The composition of honey (Flavonoids and polyphenols) is such that it has antioxidant, antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, antitumor, anticancer effects.
Table of Contents
12 Best Honey Benefits
Following are the 12 best benefits of honey:
1. Antioxidant
Packed with powerful antioxidants, raw honey helps fight cell damage. Honey helps reduce oxidative stress (a disparity of free radicals and antioxidants in the body, which can lead to cell and tissue damage). It can, therefore, help reduce the risk of heart disease.
Its high antioxidant profile serves as a premise of most if not all health benefits.
2. Lowers Blood Pressure
The antioxidants in honey help lower your blood pressure, which is a well-known cause of heart attack. It is, however, not an exclusive remedy but it helps along in reducing blood pressure.
3. Boosts Immunity
Antioxidants help in counterbalancing the free radicals in the body. Research by the Michigan State University says that honey “is an immune system builder [with] antioxidant, anti-bacterial and anti-tumor properties.”
In the current scenario when coronavirus is running amok, leaving us with no choice but to confine ourselves to our homes, we must do anything and everything that amps up our immune system. So, we must also seek refuge in honey.
4. Heals Wounds and Cuts
The health benefits of honey go beyond being used in external applications. Its healing powers are credited to its anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties.
Applied to the skin, honey can be as effective as the conventional treatment with silver sulfadiazine. You can directly apply honey to your cut or wound and cover it with a bandage and voila! You see wonders happening.
5. Antifungal and Antibacterial
Honey can effectively kill unwanted bacteria and fungus. The bees add an enzyme that makes hydrogen peroxide that helps destroy harmful bacteria and fungi. It also prevents the growth of yeast and bacteria. These properties also allow the honey to be used to cleanse wounds as well.
6. Relieves Sore Throat and Cough
One of the best honey benefits is its immaculate ability to relieve a sore throat or cough. Coughing happens to be quite common among children and adults alike and can prove to be very uncomfortable, sometimes painful. Honey, on the other hand, can help you get rid of the constant nuisance.
It has proved to be more effective than the over-the-counter (OTC) medicines for cough. You can take either take a spoonful or add some in hot tea with some lemon and you’ll thank Mother Nature.
Disclaimer: (All) Honey must not be given to children under the age of one due to the risk of botulism (a rare but serious illness that is caused by toxins that attack the nerves causing difficulty breathing, muscle paralysis, and even death)
7. For Digestion and Gastrointestinal Disorders
A few varieties of honey possess large amounts of friendly bacteria and have been recognized as a probiotic food, hence it can nurture good bacteria that can improve gut health. It can reduce ulcers, bacterial gastroenteritis (gastric ulcer), and diarrhea.
Note: It’s not recommended that you use raw honey to treat ulcers.
8. Improves Cholesterol and Heart Health
A high level of cholesterol accounts for a strong risk factor for heart disease. The fatty buildup that starts to line the inner walls of your arteries can lead to heart attacks and strokes.
Honey reduces the level of cholesterol that adversely affects human health while improving the level of cholesterol that is beneficial for health.
The antioxidants may also help dilate the arteries for the seamless flow of blood. Consequently, preventing the formation of blood clots.
9. Increases Athletic Performance
Ancient Olympic athletes would eat honey and dried figs to enhance their performance. Honey is exceptional in maintaining glycogen levels and improving recovery time.
10. Nutritious and Delicious
A yummy addition to your diet and a healthier alternative to sugar, one tablespoon of honey contains 64 calories, 17 grams of sugar, and a negligible amount of fiber, protein, or fat. Though it is superior to any sweetener out there, you cannot and should not go overboard with its consumption as it would thence do more bad than good.
| Gender | Daily Consumption of Added Sugar* | Calories |
| Male | 6 teaspoons | 100 |
| Female | 9 teaspoons | 150 |
*accounts for all sources of sugar
11. Improves Oral Health
Honey helps fight gingivitis (a gum disease that causes irritation, redness, and swelling (inflammation) on the part of the gum that is around the base of the teeth. It also reduces plaque and prevents bleeding gums.
12. Eternal Shelf Life
Enjoyed across the globe, honey comes with absolutely no expiry date. You can store it for an indefinite amount of time in a cold dry place and it’ll last you a lifetime (in case you don’t gobble it up)
We know that for some of us honey is just irresistible. But, just be careful. Doesn’t matter what type of honey you prefer, if used excessively it will definitely increase your blood sugar level and we all don’t want that. Do we? So, be wise and don’t go Winnie-the-Pooh at it!
Honey Meaning in Urdu
The meaning of honey in Urdu is “Shahad”. It is written as شہد in Urdu script. Honey is the sweet, thick substance extracted from beehives and is known for its many therapeutic and nutritional benefits.
یہ شہد کی مکھیوں کے چھتے سے نکالا جانے والا میٹھا، گاڑھا مادہ ہے اور اپنے بہت سے علاج اور غذائی فوائد کے لیے جانا جاتا ہے۔
The incredible therapeutic honey benefits are outmatched by very few other foods. However, before consuming honey or using it to treat a medical condition consider checking up with a nutritionist in Islamabad, Karachi, or Lahore.
You can use oladoc.com to book your appointments with the top medical experts in Pakistan or call our helpline at 04238900939 to confirm your appointments.
