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. Cherbuliez T; Domerego R. Bruxelles: Amyris SPRL, 2003. Bienenprodukte in der Medizin. Apitherapie. Potschinkova P. München: Ehrenwirth Verlag, 1992. American Journal of the College of Nutrition, 2008, 27: 677-689. Honey for Nutrition and Health: a Review. Stefan Bogdanov, PhD; Tomislav Jurendic; Robert Sieber, PhD; Peter Gallmann, PhD The effect of honey on the growth of bifidobacteria. Ustunol Z. Report for the National Honey Board 1-8, 2000. Effect of honey on the growth of and acid production by human intestinal Bifidobacterium spp: An in vitro comparison with commercial oligosaccharides and inulin. Kajiwara S; Gandhi H; Ustunol Z, J Food Prot 65:214-218, 2002. Carbohydrate composition of honey from different floral sources andtheir influence on growth of selected intestinal bacteria: An in vitro comparison. Shin H.S; Ustunol Z. Food Res Int 38:721-728, 2005. Honey with High Levels of Antioxidants Can Provide Protection to Healthy Human Subjects. Derek D. Schramm; Malina Karim; Heather R. Schrader; Roberta R. Holt; Marcia Cardetti; and Carl L. Keen Departments of Nutrition and Internal Medicine at the University of California. J. Agric. Food Chem., 2003, 51 (6), pp 1732–1735 Microbiology of Ripening Honey.T. RUIZ-ARGUESO; A. RODRIGUEZ-NAVARRO. Cdtedra de Microbiologia, Escuela Tecnica Superior de Ingenieros Agr6nomos,Madrid-3, Spain. Received for publication 7 August 1975 Effect of Honey on Antibody Production Against Thymus-Dependent and Thymus-Independent Antigens in Primary and Secondary Immune Responses. Noori S. Al-Waili, Afruz Haq. Journal of Medicinal Food. Winter 2004, 7(4): 491-494. doi:10.1089/jmf.2004.7.491. Published in Volume: 7 Issue 4: December 28, 2004 Prevention of chemotherapy-inducedneutropenia by special honey intake. Zidan J, Shetver L, Gershuny A, Abzah A, Tamam S, Stein M, Friedman E. Med Oncol. 2006;23(4):549-52. Honey-bee products in prevention and/or therapy of murine transplantable tumours. Nada Oršolic;, Svjetlana Terzic;, Lidija Šver, Ivan Bašic. Journal of the Science of Food and Agriculture. Volume 85, Issue 3 , Pages363 – 370. 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