Honey is a syrupy liquid that honeybees make from plant nectar. Loved worldwide for its sweetness and depth of flavor, it’s used in many foods and recipes.
The smell, color, and taste of honey vary based on the type of flowers it’s made from, so there are countless varieties available. Honey has a number of potential health benefits and plays a role in many home remedies and alternative medicine treatments.
Here are 10 health benefits of honey.
1. Weight Management
Most of the doctors already recommend to have a teaspoon of honey daily before you go to sleep. Having a teaspoon of honey in the morning will increase your metabolism and helps maintaining weight. Overall honey is good for full health.
2. Stronger Immune System
This is one of important benefit of honey. It also helps in curing the sore throat issues. It is full of antioxidants and bacteria fighting properties to help fighting against the infections that are caused by viruses, bacteria and fungi.According to the doctors, having a teaspoon of honey in the morning will give you enough energy, you will feel energetic full day. It also works as a cleaning agent which improves the glow of the skin.
3. Glow your skin and face
With properties of moisturizing and nourishing skin, honey is considered as the best natural moisturizer, especially for the dry skin. The best part is that it is very easy to use it. Raw honey not only unclogs pores but it also helps moisturizes parched skin. Cracked lips can also be cured by using Honey. Having a teaspoon of honey also improves the tone of the skin, it glows the natural shine of the skin. Also as a natural antiseptic, it is useful for treatment of wounds, bruises, cuts, burns and other infections.
4. Treat Cough
Honey is one of the best and superior home remedy for cough.Many doctors suggest to have a teaspoon of honey in the morning to fight against cough for the children’s. When it is mixed with ginger, it helps much faster and provides great relief in cough.
5. Wounds And Burns
Honey is made up of mostly glucose and fructose that absorb water if applied on wounds. It helps promote healing, making it a natural first aid cure for wounds, burns and cuts. Honey’s antiseptic properties inhibit the growth of certain bacteria and help keep external wounds free from infection. It helps reduce swelling, pain and even scarring as it works as an anti-inflammatory as well. A 2005 study published in the British Journal of Surgery showed remarkable improvement after applying honey to the affected areas.
6. Memory Booster
Honey is chock-full of antioxidants that may help prevent cellular damage and loss in the brain. A 2011 study published in Menopause found that when postmenopausal women took a daily spoonful (20 g) of Malaysian honey, they had boosted memory, which could be used as an alternative therapy for the hormone-related intellectual decline. After four months of the study, the women were more likely to have better short-term memory than their counterparts who took hormone pills.
7. Helps to have good sleep
You should start having a teaspoon of honey mixed with milk just before you go to sleep. For centuries, people have used this drink to help them sleep. This beverage is fairly easy to make and yes it is very tasty also.
8. Improves Cholesterol
High LDL cholesterol levels is a strong risk factor for heart disease. This type of cholesterol plays a major role in atherosclerosis, the fatty buildup in your arteries that can lead to heart attacks and strokes. Interestingly, several studies show that honey may improve your cholesterol levels.
9. Prevents and Control Eczema
Eczema is a skin condition that causes red, itchy, flaky skin that causes discomfort. Usually, young children and teenagers suffer from eczema that can be treated with eczema. Those suffering can make a mixture of raw honey and cold-pressed olive oil and apply on the skin to get rid of the problem. Honey acts as a natural cleanser by removing dirt and making the skin smooth and soft. It can also be used for exfoliation of the skin by mixing it with oats in order to remove dead cells. Regular use of honey prevents eczema from occurring or coming back again.
10. Helps with gum diseases
Teeth and gum diseases like gingivitis, bleeding and plaque can be treated to a great extent with the regular use of honey. Honey is known to release antiseptic hydrogen peroxide which acts as anti-microbial agent that prevents the growth of bacteria. Experts’ advice the use of raw honey mixed with water to be used as mouthwash. Also rubbing honey directly on affected gums gives instant relief from pain and inflammation and other periodontal diseases.
References: squirrelinfo.com, food.ndtv.com, healthline.com, healthfitnessrevolution.com