What has the bees abuzz? The powerful health benefits of honey are what the buzz is all about. We have 15 reasons why honey is a national treasure listed below. But before we get to those health benefits, we need to what actually brings about the health benefits of honey. Only raw honey will have such a potent effect on your health in the 15 ways we are about to list. Commercial honey tends to add chemicals during processing, eliminates the phyto-nutrients, natural enzymes, vitamins and minerals through heating, pasteurizing and filtering, and may include harmful additives.
Also note that though honey benefits the following conditions, they are not all inclusive cures. Therefore, more severe health conditions need to be tended to by a health care professional.
Numerous studies indicate that a daily dose of raw honey can significantly boost antioxidants in your body. This boost in antioxidants comes from the polyphenols found in honey. This boosting of antioxidants can not only fight off common colds and flu, but might also play a significant role in reducing your risk of cancer and heart disease, which are major health benefits of honey.
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If you are considering an all-natural cough syrup, then you will also find that is another of the many health benefits of honey. Raw honey reduces mucus secretion, which leads to coughing, helps to soothe an irritated throat, and is equally effective as the over-the-counter syrups with diphenhydramine and dextromethorphan.
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Wound healing, especially the healing of burns, is also among the health benefits of honey. Honey-infused bandages are an effective healing aid for any type of wound or burn. It is the antibacterial effect of raw honey which does the trick, reacting with the body’s own fluid to create hydrogen peroxide.
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Another of the health benefits of honey is its ability to promote restful sleep. It accomplishes this task in two ways: by restocking the liver’s glycogen supply as well as releasing melatonin into the brain, which stimulates tryptophan production. Tryptophan boosts serotonin levels which help you sleep.
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Athletes have been aware of the health benefits of honey as it pertains to boosting energy and performance for decades. Raw honey’s sugars, vitamins, minerals and protein create a high-performance fuel. Because it replaces glycogen in the liver, it is an excellent pre- and post-workout energy source.
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Fighting pollen induced allergies is one of the most impressive health benefits of honey. Because raw honey contains bee pollen, which was gathered from the pollen producing plants which tend to cause pollen allergies, the consumption of locally produced, raw honey is sort of like vaccinating yourself against pollen allergies.
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Another of the health benefits of honey is found in its contribution to weight loss. Not only does replacing refined sugar with honey as a sweetener help reduce blood sugar levels, but a number of studies indicate that raw honey can activate hormones associated with suppressing appetite.
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Cleansing pores is also among the excellent health benefits of honey. The enzymes found in raw honey help to bind and draw out toxins and debris that is built up in the pores of your skin. Additionally, its antibacterial properties help to eliminate breakouts and skin blemishes.
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Another of the health benefits of honey is its use in a moisturizing mask for your face. As a natural humectants, honey draws moisture from the air and helps it to be absorbed into your skin. Additionally, it helps to hold it into the deeper layers to help with long lasting skin hydration.
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Causing scars to fade is also among the attractive health benefits of honey. The antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties of raw honey help to regenerate the skin tissue in scars. This regeneration of cells promotes the healing of the skin and causes the darkened pigment to fade until the scar disappears.
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A great cuticle moisturizer for producing healthier and more attractive nails is also among the health benefits of honey. The nutrients and enzymes for nourishing and healing skin and nail tissue is abundant in raw honey. Besides those nutrients, honey acts as a humectants and keeps those cuticles supple and elastic.
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Also among the surprising health benefits of honey is its ability to help condition hair. Again those abundant enzymes and nutrients found in raw honey are utilized in regenerating, moisturizing and strengthening hair shafts all the way down to the roots. It makes your scalp healthier, prevents damage from drying and returns the luster to your hair.
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Since honey works well on burns and wounds, it is no surprise that treating sunburn is also among the health benefits of honey. Raw honey’s abundant mix of vitamins, minerals and nutrients helps to soothe burning, reduce inflammation and promote the regeneration of healthy skin tissue.
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Among the more exciting health benefits of honey is its ability to help increase libido. Believe it or not, honey is an aphrodisiac and its consumption aids in both the production of testosterone as well as estrogen. The Chinese, Greeks, Indians and even the Vikings made use of honey to help increase fertility. In fact, in many cultures, well-wishers give a jar of honey as a wedding gift.
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Though sugar is often associated with healthy teeth and gums, the treatment of gum disease is another of the health benefits of honey. Because honey has antimicrobial properties, it helps get rid of plaque and bacteria below the gum line. One of its enzymes even reacts with body fluids to create hydrogen peroxide.
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Honey goes well beyond just being a super, natural sweetener, it has so many nutrients and nutritional properties that it is one of the most powerful natural healers as well as a national treasure.
Try out one or several of the health benefits of honey in our list above and watch its potent, sticky goodness bring about better health for you and your family. Don’t forget to add questions, comments, recipes and success stories in the section below.
Images from depositphotos.com & pixabay.com.
