Honey is much more than a delicious sweetener. The product of naturally occurring flower nectar, it mixes with the enzymes of the honeybee’s saliva to form honey. This sweet ‘bee nectar’ provides more than just a taste sensation; it also carries a wide range of wellness benefits. As such; it is deservedly one of the most popular complementary supplements, its unique mixture of fructose and glucose give it a rich agreeable flavour.
The combination of natural sugars present in honey provides a great source of natural, fast-acting energy. This is the reason that it has proved such a popular supplement with athletes, who often add honey to pre-workout meals. This health tradition actually stems back to ancient Olympian times, when athletes would consume honey in large amounts to improve their performance. This surge of natural energy and blood sugar can benefit those suffering from diabetes and hypoglycaemia, and provides an ideal emergency solution without the adverse side-effects of white sugar.
Honey has antimicrobial, anti-fungal and antiviral properties, which make it an excellent immunity booster. Its acidic properties (pH 3-5) make it a perfect counter-agent for most bacterial species. Research has recently elucidated the special properties of the compound Methylgloxal, found in honey. It has proved to be an excellent antimicrobial against the troublesome Staphylococcus aureus bacteria, responsible for “Staph infections”. Also rich in polyphenols, honey provides a great antioxidant effect and effectively neutralizes free radicals in the body. These properties go a long way to explaining the ongoing popularity of honey as a remedy for the common cold. Honey is also increasingly known as an effective antiseptic agent. When applied topically, it can safeguard wounds against infection. Especially useful in the case of burns, honey does more than just prevent infection; it also promotes healing. Compounds in the honey absorb water and encourage the wound to dry, thus accelerating the healing process.
We should all consider taking advantage of the numerous qualities of this delicious and widely available food supplement. In doing so, favour high quality organic honey, in order to be assured of maximum wellbeing benefits.
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