Bee Honey: 10 Benefits And Properties Of This Food
The properties and benefits of honey have been known and used by different societies over time. Currently this substance constitutes one of the most important primary natural sweeteners, whose benefits range from a pleasant taste to the palate, to the possible prevention and treatment of diseases.
We’ll see now What is honey and how is it obtained, and its main properties and benefits?
Natural honey is produced naturally by Apis mallifera and different subspecies of bees. The latter obtain the honey by the nectar of the flowers and also by secretions released by the bees themselves
Broadly speaking, honey is produced through a process of combining substances that bees transport, concentrate and store in honeycombs (a set of wax cells that they build to deposit honey). Subsequently, the honey is extracted through a process that includes unloading, lifting, uncapping and finally separating the honey from the wax. All this occurs in a previously established space, and with specialized machinery and equipment.
bee honey It has a complex composition and is rich in nutrients which have been used for human consumption since the most ancient societies.
The largest proportion of these nutrients is occupied by carbohydrates, such as fructose and glucose It also contains enzymes, antioxidants, amino acids, vitamins, minerals and organic acids, which make honey have many properties. In fact, it has not only been used as food but as an important therapeutic resource.
As we have seen, honey is one of the natural resources that has been used the most by human beings. Since classical medical texts, honey appears as an important resource to treat wounds, pain and illness
Currently, beekeeping (the breeding of bees to use their products) is one of the most important economic activities in different countries. The latter is due to the richness of its nutritional properties and its healing potential. We will see below what are the most important properties of honey.
1. Antibacterial potential
Due to the inhibins (hydrogen peroxide, flavonoids and phenolic acids) present in honey, this substance It has important properties as a bactericidal These properties are also attributed to the presence of glucose oxidase. For example, one of honey’s antibacterial potentials may be important for treating acne and exfoliating the skin.
2. Natural source of antioxidants
Antioxidants are natural substances that prevent the formation of oxides , which in turn slows down cellular decomposition. In this sense, the periodic consumption of honey can be an important dietary supplement in the prevention of heart diseases, the immune system and inflammatory processes.
3. Primary sweetener
Before the extraction of sugar from cane and other roots, tubers and foods became popular, honey was the only natural primary sweetener. Due to its components, such as small peptides, flavonoids and enzymes, honey serves as a sweetener, but not only that. It is a protective agent that, when mixed with other foods, can enhance both the flavor and its beneficial health properties In this same sense, honey serves as a natural substitute for refined sugar.
Bee honey contains approximately enzymes and amino acids These originate from the activity of the bees themselves, and sometimes in the nectar of the plant. Proteins play a fundamental role in the growth and synthesis of different tissues. In turn, amino acids are the basis for protein production.
5. Moisturizing potential
The high concentration of moisture in honey not only influences its viscosity, weight, flavor and color, but can be essential for moisturizing different parts of our body. For this reason, it is often used as a hair and scalp moisturizer. In this it is important that the honey is not exposed to high temperatures, since its properties may be lost.
6. Promotes digestion
When combined with other natural products, such as lemon juice or cinnamon, honey can promote the activity of the digestive system. This means that helps metabolize food, preventing or relieving stomach indigestion Likewise, it has been attributed to relieving symptoms of constipation and feelings of heaviness after heavy meals. For this reason, it has also been attributed the property of preventing reflux and helping to relieve diarrhea.
7. Treatment of wounds and burns
Since ancient Egyptian, Chinese and Roman societies, honey was used to treat different wounds. In combination with other herbs, a honey ointment was beneficial for sunburns, wound infections and blemishes on the face. For the same antiseptic properties are attributed to it that is, it reduces the possibility of infections when applied to living tissue in some wounds.
8. Relieves cough and sore throat
Again, when combined with other substances such as lime or lemon juice, honey relieves a sore throat, even in small doses. Due to their antibacterial properties, they could also help fight some infections of this type. Likewise bee honey It is recognized as a natural remedy for cough (However, it is recommended not to apply to children under one year of age).
The direct application of honey to inflamed muscles has been used as a powerful anti-inflammatory, that is, it has been attributed the property of reduce muscle swelling In turn, this relieves the pain caused by the same inflammation.
10. Other properties
Ayurveda medicine, traditional from India, has attributed revitalizing properties to honey, which in turn relieves weakness or excessive fatigue. It has also been attributed a relaxing property that promotes sleep and some symptoms of stress. It is also used for tooth pain, especially in children over one year old, in the treatment of asthma and hiccups. It is also used to moderate blood pressure levels.
