Honey Benefits – Nature’s True Nectar Packed With Brilliant Benefits

Honey is much valued around the world because it is not just sweet but therapeutic too. It heals us from within. This is the reason that honey is mentioned a lot in Ayurvedic and Vedic texts. ^[1]

In ancient India, honey was used thoroughly for its numerous benefits. Where one text speaks of it as a boon for a weak digestive system, another puts it as somniferous. Today, science is proving all these benefits. ^[2]

To carry on the rich dietary tradition and promote health, we will tell you all the benefits of honey.  So, let’s taste its life-enhancing sweetness. 

Know Your Honey – History, Names, and Nutrition

The history of honey in India goes back to the Vedic times when it was much used and studied. Not just for health purposes but honey was also used back then as an offering to deities. ^[3]

From ancient texts like the Rig Veda to epic tales like Ramayana, bees and their golden nectar have held a special place in our culture. 

Ayurveda considers honey as the most precious and calls it ‘madhu’. But because outfits precious nature, it got other names too such as ^[4]

“Madvika, Kshaudra, Saradha, Makshika, Vantha, Varati, Bhrungavantha and Pushparasodbhava.”

How honey came to be called ‘shahad’ in Hindi? There is no information about it. One idea could be its Arabic connection where ‘shahad’ is a name that means ‘pure honey’.

Let’s now see why honey is much valued. 

In terms of nutrition, honey is nothing but almost all of it – ‘sugar’ – mainly Glucose and Fructose. But honey’s true potential lies in its other compounds. 

Honey – nutritional value – 100 grams ^[5]

Surely, a glimpse of the above-given nutritional table might make you believe that honey is pure sugar, but the magic lies in its micronutrients. Let’s pick up the honey dipper now and taste its sweet brilliance. 

Honey Benefits

We often pick up honey whenever the nose turns runny and cough happens. It is rich in life-saving nutrients that help and heal. Traditionally, it was used in the Vedic times to treat skin disorders, weakened teeth and gums, insomnia, palpitations, and even anaemia. But how many of these have been proven by science? We’ll see below.^[6]

1. High in Antioxidants

Unprocessed honey is a rich source of numerous antioxidants such as flavonoids, polyphenols, glycosides, etc. While the exact mechanism of natural antioxidants in the human body remains partially understood, honey has been shown to counter the effects of ageing and oxidative stress. ^[7]

Phenolic compounds in honey, particularly in darker varieties, contain the true potential that help our bodies with several health-related issues such as ^[8]

• Tissue damage
• Heart health
• Lifespan
• Memory
• Insulin issues
• Skin disorders, etc.

Honey doesn’t just come in one flavour! Different bees, different flowers, different honey varieties. This creates a spectrum of tastes from light and floral to dark and robust.

2. Betters Blood Sugar Regulation

Now, it might seem counterintuitive that honey, which is extremely sweet, can help with blood sugar levels. To understand this, there are a few things to know beforehand

• Firstly, all types of pure sugar (including honey) may raise blood sugar levels
• Secondly, although honey does contain glucose and fructose, it contains numerous other helpful compounds too

Ayurvedic texts do mention honey as an effective treatment against diabetes. Today, several studies have found it to be true as well. ^[9]

Not just this but regular intake of honey can even help you with improved fasting blood sugar levels. ^[10]

The key here is ‘moderation’. When consuming honey, make sure you 

• Use it in limits
• Use it to replace your regular sugar

However, the problem today lies in adulteration. 

Always do your research and buy pure honey, which might cost you a few more rupees but will surely bless you with health. We’ll tell you later in this article how to identify pure honey.

3. Honey and Heart

Surely, honey pleases our hearts with its pleasant and rich taste. A little spoon in the mouth and we get taken back to the deep forest spirits that speak of life and vigour. But honey also enhances heart health through its excellent nutritional profile.  

Regular intake of honey can help you with ^[11]

• Lowered blood pressure
• Better heartbeat regulation
• And even protection of healthy cells from damage

A study of around 4,550 people observed that honey helped them with elevated blood pressure (prehypertension).  ^[12]

Furthermore, raw honey contains propolis, which can be used as a health supplement, can improve cholesterol and triglyceride levels. Also, it helped with an increase in good cholesterol (HDL) in the body. ^{[13] [14]}

4. Helps With Wound Healing

Ayurveda has several mentions of honey as a wonderful wound healer. Sushruta describes madhu (honey) to be effective against chronic wounds. In one instance, a decoction of honey and neem was also found to have treated a chronic right leg injury. ^[15]

Traditionally honey was used to treat burns and wounds. The reason honey heals is its antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, and antioxidant properties. All these beneficial plant compounds help heal the wound together. ^[16]

A review of 26 different studies on honey found that honey actually worked in healing moderate burns and wounds effectively. However, it must not be used to treat severe burns. Always seek immediate medical care in such cases. ^[17]

A single bee only produces about 1/12th of a teaspoon of honey in its entire lifetime. It’s the tireless work of thousands of bees to create just one jar of honey.

5. A skin elixir

Honey is celebrated for its numerous skin benefits. As an exceptional moisturizer, it effectively hydrates and retains moisture, ideal for dry skin. Its antibacterial properties cleanse the skin and prevent infections, aiding in acne treatment. ^[18]

Additionally, its anti-inflammatory nature calms irritation, making it suitable for sensitive skin conditions. Rich in antioxidants, honey protects against free radicals, slowing aging and maintaining a youthful glow. 

Here’s how to make a honey face mask

• Combine a ripe banana with honey to create a hydrating face mask. 
• Mash the banana, mix in honey, and apply to clean skin. 
• Leave on for 15-20 minutes before rinsing off for refreshed, acne-fighting, and brighter skin.

6. Beneficial for Brain Health

Brain health is something that most of us ignore because it shows symptoms that do not inflict any physical harm. However, over time, it turns the table upside down. 

Honey emerges as a promising neuroprotective agent with its antioxidant properties. Its polyphenol compounds combat oxidative stress. This reduces neurotoxicity and counters the effects of harmful substances like amyloid beta. Simply put, honey can protect you from age-related memory issues faced in Alzheimer’s. It prevents quick cognitive decline. ^[19]

Honey also has calming effects and can make you feel better emotionally. Plus, it might even help improve your memory. While more research is needed to fully understand how honey benefits the brain, it’s promising as a natural way to keep your mind healthy and sharp. ^[20]

7. Helps in Cough and Cold

Cough, although might seem like some trivial disease, can ruin our emotions and overall health. Those who suffer from chronic cough always stay at risk. Conventional cough remedies, especially for children, either often stay ineffective or work slowly. Here, honey might do wonders. 

Recent studies suggest honey before bedtime can alleviate coughing and discomfort for both kids and parents. Prevention is always better than cure. ^[21]

But what if you already have cough? Can honey treat it? Well, it surely can.

Such is the potential of honey that one study found it to be even better than diphenhydramine. It also reduced the cough duration.^[22]

Pro tip: Add a pinch of turmeric to honey to cure your sore throat

Caution: Don’t give it to infants (0-1 year age). It might become toxic for them. 

8. A gut-friendly goodness

If the gut is good, the heart is good; when the heart is good, life stays soaked in bliss. A lesser known of all the brilliant honey benefits is that it helps in gut health. Honey can help improve gut health in several ways. ^[23]

• It has properties that might soothe inflammation and promote healing in the stomach and intestines.
• Plus, the antioxidants in honey could protect your gut from damage.

It is known that ancient people used honey for stomach issues like ulcers and indigestion for a long time. And there’s evidence that it can help with symptoms like inflammation and discomfort. 

Pro tip: Take warm barley water and add few drops of honey for indigestion

9. May Help Men

Stress and anxiety often lead to sexual problems such as reduced sperm count. Honey was traditionally used to treat all sorts of disorders, and the sexual benefit was one of its benefits. One scientific study proves this well.

According to its observation, honey was found to be beneficial in treating erectile dysfunctions. This was mainly due to honey’s vasodilatory effect (expansion of blood vessels). Furthermore, it also improved sperm count. ^[24]

Overall, including honey in your diet could be beneficial for your digestive system.

At last,

Honey is 

• Super nutritious
• A healthy sweetener
• And delicious to easily incorporate into your diet

All these honey benefits have been well studied and proven. But these are not the only benefits that honey bestows us with. As science keeps on evolving and improving, it’ll understand traditional foods in a new light. 

Now, before you pick up your honey dipper and calm your throat, here are a few risks and precautions to know beforehand.

Archaeologists have discovered edible honey in ancient Egyptian tombs, thousands of years old, still edible.

Honey – Risks and Precautions

Although each drop of honey is pure bliss and beneficial, there are a few things to know beforehand so that this nectar doesn’t turn into a poison.

• Don’t give (even a drop) to babies under 1 year of age
• Those suffering from insulin issues should consume honey in moderation. Consult your doctor first
• If you are on regular medications, consult your doctor
• Never consume an equal quantity of ghee and honey together
• Do not heat honey directly
• Indigestion caused by improper intake of honey is believed to be very dangerous. So be cautious of how much honey you consume and how you consume it.

Other than these, honey is rarely harmful. But today, a new risk is rising in the honey market – fake or adulterated honey. Here, knowledge becomes the key.

How to Differentiate Fake and Real Honey

All the above-shown honey benefits come only if your honey is raw, real, and unprocessed. Otherwise, you only harm yourself. So, here is how you can know if your honey is real or fake:

1. Label Test: Look for terms like “raw,” “unfiltered,” or “unpasteurized.” Avoid honey labelled as “processed” or “ultra-filtered.”
2. Read the Ingredients: Authentic honey should contain only one ingredient: honey. Is your honey showing added sugars or artificial ingredients? Discard.
3. Water Test: Pour a spoonful of honey into a transparent glass. Is it settling down without dissolving? Is it not mixing easily when stirred? If yes, then it’s real. Fake honey dissolves quickly.
4. Crystallization Test: Authentic honey often crystallizes over time, especially when stored in cooler temperatures. This is a natural process and indicates purity.
5. Seek Local Sources: Buying honey from local beekeepers or farmers’ markets will surely increase your chances of getting pure honey. Many farmers even take you to the beehive and pour it fresh for you. It should taste sweet and astringent.

Conclusion

So, there you have it – the golden nectar, unpacked! From ancient wisdom to modern science, honey’s melody of benefits resonates through the ages. It’s a potent mix of nutrients from which numerous honey benefits drip. 

Its antioxidants and its healing properties make it a true treasure for our well-being. From heart to brain, cough, blood sugar, and even digestion, honey is really a sweet sweet thing. It’s an offering for our wellbeing from heaven. But, as you cherish it, remember that moderation is key, especially when you suffer from insulin issues. 

To ensure that you get all the benefits from honey, always seek pure and unadulterated honey. Embrace the buzz, savour the sweetness, and let honey weave its magic into your life!