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. Understanding how honey is collected, processed and packaged is an important factor in determining the health properties of honey. Only will provide you with optimal health benefits. This is honey that has not been heated beyond 95 degrees F. which kills healthful enzymes and probiotics, has not been micro-filtered which removes beneficial pollen residues, and has had nothing added for any reason. Health factors by type or varietal of honey Honey varietals also have different health characteristics. For instance from New Zealand and Ulmo honey from Chile have strong antibiotic characteristics. Darker honeys usually have higher antibiotic strengths. Analysis of the health benefits of honey is ongoing and we will likely learn ofmore desirable characteristic as research progresses. 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, so less honey is generally needed for the same amount of sweetness. 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 [5]. 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 [6]. Provides energy for the liver and brain Proper fueling of the liver as central to optimal glucosemetabolism during sleep and before-, during and post-exercise. 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 [7]. 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 forcardiovascular disease, hypertension, obesity, osteoporosis, some forms of cancer, and several neuro-degenerative conditions. All are conditions associated with increased oxidative stress [7]. Is an effective cough suppressant Honey has been used for centuries to treat Upper Repository Infections (URI). sooth sore throats and relieve coughs. Honey has well-established antioxidant and antimicrobial effects, which could explain its contributions to wound healing. Honey also soothes on contact, which may help explain its effect on cough as suggested by the World Health Organization. In the latest study by Dr. Ian Paul at Penn State, on the effect of buckwheat honey verses dextromethorphan (DM), a cough suppressant found in many over-the-counter cold medications, researchers enrolled 105 children between the ages of 2 and 18 at a single university-affiliated physician practice site. On the first night of the study, children received no treatment. Parents answered five questions about theirchild’s cough and sleep quality as well as about their own sleep quality. On the second night, children received either honey, artificial honey-flavored DM or no treatment about a half hour prior to going to bed. Parents answered the same five questions the following morning. The randomized study was partially double-blinded: Medical staff did not know what treatment each participating family received when distributing their sealed syringe-containing envelope. Across the board, parents in this study rated honey as significantly better than DM or no treatment for symptomatic relief of their child’s nighttime cough and sleep difficulty [8]. 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, gastroenteritis hasbeen reported in various books and publications from Eastern Europe [10, 11, 12]. Many disorders are caused by the bacteria, Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori). Antibotics perscribed for H. pylori infections are expensive and produce side effects while killing beneficial bacteria. An in vitro study showed inhibitory effects of honey on H. pylori [9]. Honey has no side effects and can be eaten regularly. Fresh honey with a moisture content above 18% contains Gluconobacter and Lactobacillus probiotics [17]. 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 [13]. According to an invitro study on five bifidobacteria strains honey has a growth promoting effect similar to that of fructose and glucose oligosaccharides [14]. Unifloral honeys of sourwood, alfalfa and sage origin stimulated the growth of five human intestinal bifidobacteria [15].Improves and restores the immune system Fresh, unprocessed honey has been shown to stimulate antibody production [18]. A recent clinical study showed that using Life-Mel Honey, a medical grade honey, decreases side effects, including anemia, severe neutropenia, and thrombocytopenia (low platelets) of patients involved in chemotherapy [19]. Lowers cholesterol and triglycerides and increases HDL-cholesterol Cardiovascular risk factors are reduced with pure, unprocessed honey. When compared to a control group using sugar, honey reduced total cholesterol (3%), LDL-C (5.8), triacylglycerole (11%), FBG (4.2%), and CRP (3.2%), and increased HDL-C (3.3%) in subjects with normal values, while in patients with elevated variables, honey caused reduction in total cholesterol by 3.3%, LDL-C by 4.3%, triacylglycerole by 19%, and CRP by 3.3% (p < 0.05). Additionally it does not increase body weight in overweight or obese subjects [21]. Effective antioxidant reduces affects of aging Honey reducesoxidative 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. Test subjects fed buckwheat honey showed an increase of phenolic antioxidants. The regular use of honey as a sweetener in common foods could result in an enhanced antioxidant defense system in healthy adults [16]. Reduces risks for some forms of cancer Honey has been shown to be effective in controlling tumor growth and metastasis [20]. Honey has potential to become a supplement for cancer therapy. In a paper given by Dr. Nik Soriani Yaacob (Malaysia), Associate Professor in the School of Medical Sciences, Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM) at the 2nd International Conference on The Medicinal Use of Honey 2010 Malyasia, studies show that Tualang honey (from Malaysia) had anti-cancer qualities and significant cytotoxic effect(death of cells) on cancer cells cultured in the lab. Other phytonutrients such as caffeic acid esters contained in propolis and honey also exhibit anti-cancer properties [22]. Diabetic ulcers treated with honey Diabetic ulcers uncured by oral antibiotics successfully treated with honey. A study is underway to validate findings [3]. 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 [1,2]. Reduce gum and periodontal disease A study with manuka honey showed significant reduction of plaque and gingivitis [4]. ———————————————————————————————————— References Br J Surg. 1991 Apr;78(4):497-8. Topical application of honey in treatment of burns. Subrahmanyam M. N Z Med J. 2009 May 22;122(1295):47-60. Honey in the treatment ofburns: a systematic review and meta-analysis of its efficacy. Wijesinghe M; Weatherall M; Perrin K; Beasley R. J Int Acad Periodontol. 2004 Apr;6(2):63-7. The effects of manuka honey on plaque and gingivitis: a pilot study. English HK; Pack AR; Molan PC. An Investigation of the Health Benefits of Honey as a Replacement For Sugar In the Diet. Chepulis, Lynne Merran. 2008.The University of Waikato Natural honey lowers plasma glucose, C-reactive protein, homocysteine, and blood lipids in healthy, diabetic, and hyperlipidemic subjects: comparison with dextrose and sucrose. Al-Waili NS. J Med Food. 2004 The First International Symposium on Honey and Human Health. Report to the Officers and Board of Directors of the Committee for the Promotion of Honey and Health. January 17, 2008 Effect of Honey, Dextromethorphan, and No Treatment on Nocturnal Cough and Sleep Quality for Coughing Children and Their Parents. Ian M. Paul, MD, MSc; Jessica Beiler, MPH; Amyee McMonagle, RN; Michele L. Shaffer,PhD; Laura Duda, MD; Cheston M. Berlin Jr, MD. Arch Pediatr Adolesc Med. 2007;161(12):1140-1146. Trop Gastroenterol. 1991 Jul-Sep;12(3):139-43.Inhibitory effect of natural honey on Helicobacter pylori. Ali AT, Chowdhury MN, al Humayyd MS. L’Apitherapie. 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