Nutritional Benefits Of Honey !

BENEFITS OF HONEY

 Honey is one of the best home based useful nutritional food. It is a good natural source of carbohydrates and is cholesterol and fat-free. It is mainly composed of 18% water and 80% natural carbohydrates which consist mostly of fructose and glucose. Honey contains the trace amount of vitamins, minerals, and enzymes.

Honey contains natural vitamins and minerals which easily metabolizes the unwanted cholesterol and fatty acid from the organs and tissues. Thus it prevents obesity and provides us better health. Honey consists of the vitamins- Vit-B-6, thiamine, niacin, riboflavin, pantothenic acid and certain amino acids. The minerals found in the honey are selenium, copper, iron, magnesium, manganese, phosphorus, potassium, sodium, and zinc.

Nutritional Facts:

1 Tbsp- (21gm)

Amount per serving

Calories- 64 kcal

Sugar-16 gm

Total carbohydrate-17gm

Total fat-0gm

Sodium-0 gm

Honey has a good Glycaemic index (G.I) i.e. it slowly absorbs into the blood and leads to better digestion. But we should avoid excessive honey consumption as it induces pancreas to elevate insulin level into the body to metabolize sudden source of glucose.

Types of Honey: There are so many varieties of honey which differs in taste, type. The popular varieties of honey are-

• Alfalfa
• Blueberry
• Buckwheat
• Cloves
• Manuka
• Orange blossom
• Acid flower

Benefits of Honey:

• It controls cancer and heart diseases as it contains an antioxidant namely flavanoid.
• It relieves from the ulcer and other gastrointestinal problems due to its antibacterial nature.
• It improves athletic performance by naturally boosting energy and also well maintains the glycogen level and recovery time. It reduces the muscle fatigued during exercise.
• It gives relaxation from a prolonged cough and throat infection due to its antimicrobial properties.
• It boosts eyesight, weight loss and helps in curing impotence, premature ejaculation, urinary tract disorders etc.
• Honey maintains blood sugar level due to its good combination of glucose and fructose ratio.
• Honey helps to heal wounds and burns and also used in the treatment of athlete-foot, arthritis pain, yeast infection etc.
• Honey contains a large number of health friendly bacteria and acts as probiotics.
• Used for skin and beauty treatments. It moisturizes and nourishes the skin.
• It develops our immune system through antioxidants and antibacterial properties.
• Honey acts as a brain booster and prevents dementia.
• Honey helps to overcome from alcohol hangover as it contains fructose the natural sugar which speeds up the oxidation of alcohol by the liver.
• Honey induces sleep when taken with milk before going to bed.
• Used in kitchen purpose also
• Honey is considered sacred and used in worshipping God.

Caution:

Do not feed honey to infants as honey are contaminated with clostridium botulinum bacteria which cause infant botulism.  People with a weak immune system should avoid it.

Honey is a sugar substitute but it should be avoided for obese and diabetics.

Cooking:

Better to take honey in raw form as cooking above 108⁰ F transforms honey into a toxin which is a glue-like substance and very difficult to digest.

Only raw and pure forms of honey are beneficial. Pure Honey is an unperishable item and the shelf life of honey is more than thousands of years as microorganisms are unable to grow in honey.  Honey is effective against many diseases but lacks of significant essential nutrients i.e. fat, protein, and dietary fibres. Honey is easily adulterated with other sugars and syrups to make it cheaper and to earn a profit. So, if we use it carefully in minute quantity it is considered safe.