Honey is considered one of the gifts that bees give us, since they make it with the nectar of flowering plants. In addition to working as a sweetener, It is considered a nutritious, healthy and natural food.
This food is produced on all five continents. There are approximately 320 different types of honey, which vary in color, flavor and aroma.
“Honey can be monofloral, if a predetermined percentage of nectar and pollen from a specific plant predominates, or plurifloral, if it contains a non-specific mixture of different nectars and pollens,” explains the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations. Agriculture (FAO).
The variety of honey will depend on the flowers and the type of hive, but most types It offers more than 60 substances that are beneficial to the body. For example, sugars, organic acids, vitamins, folic acid, phosphorus, calcium, magnesium, silicon, iron, manganese, iodine, zinc, essential amino acids, flavonoids and enzymes, among others.
The beneficial properties of honey go beyond the sweetening use, since it is rich in mineral salts, enzymes, vitamins and proteins that give it unique nutritional and organoleptic properties.
“The curious thing regarding honey: it has healing qualities that are supported by science and others by the practice of our ancestors, which is why studies on this food continue and its healing properties are increasingly demonstrated, such as prevent heart disease and help the skin following a burn”says Álvaro Hernández, naturopath.
It is said that Hippocrates, considered the father of medicine, used it to heal skin diseases. The Egyptians also used it to heal wounds and burns, as well as it was one of the foods that was placed next to the deceased, because it was believed that it was what they took with them to the other world.
What is honey used for?
Due to the substances that honey contains, it has been explored to find out its medicinal properties. Here are some of the most common uses and benefits of honey:
- Regulates blood pressure: Due to the antioxidants that honey contains, such as flavonoids, phenols, enzymes and similar organic acids, it is said that its constant consumption might reduce the risk of suffering from cardiovascular disease, for example, arrhythmias, hypertension or stroke, among others.
- Regulates bad cholesterol: Its correct name is LDL cholesterol. Honey increases HDL cholesterol, considered good, which prevents heart attacks and strokes.
- Regulates triglycerides: Scientific studies have shown that honey reduces triglyceride levels, compared to sugar, which increases them.
- Helps with bites and wounds: Ancestors used honey to treat wounds, stings and burns, due to its minerals and antioxidants. These cause the skin to regenerate, making it useful for partial skin injuries. It is also useful in diabetic foot ulcer therapy.
- Regulates gastrointestinal diseases: Due to the enzymes that make it up and the flavonoid antioxidants, phytochemicals and minerals, honey is beneficial for digestion. Due to its bacterial properties, it prevents the appearance of microorganisms that damage the digestive system.
- Protects once morest gastritis: The nutrients in honey also protect the lining of the stomach wall from irritation and inflammation.
- Prevents neurological diseases: Honey might have antidepressant, anticonvulsant and anti-anxiety benefits.
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It is important to emphasize that You should avoid giving honey, even a very small amount, to babies under 1 year of age. Honey can cause a rare but serious gastrointestinal condition (infantile botulism) caused by exposure to spores of the bacteria Clostridium botulinum, says the Mayo Clinic. Besides, some people are sensitive or allergic to specific components of honey, specifically bee pollen.
What is ginger with lemon and honey used for?
Some scientific studies have detailed that honey, when combined with citrus, like lemon can act as cough suppressants. Therefore, it is recommended in cases of respiratory tract conditions or when you have a persistent coughindicates Juan Carlos Solís, naturopath.
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According to the specialist, this combination decongests the respiratory tract and strengthens the immune system. Lemon acts as a toxin purifier, honey eliminates viruses and bacteria and ginger is an expectorant.
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