It is no secret that honey is good for health. Here are 10 benefits of honey for your body's health when consumed regularly.
In various cultures over the centuries, honey has been used for many medicinal purposes.
One of the most famous is the use of honey in medicine as a remedy for digestion and imbalances in the body.
A finding published in the Iranian Journal of Basic Medical Sciences in 2013 also shows that honey has been used by humans since 8,000 years ago.
Until now, honey is still believed to have many benefits for the body. But, what are the scientifically proven benefits of honey?
1. Energy Boost
Honey is a thick-textured liquid with a sweet taste produced by bees.
Just so you know, bees collect sugar from flower nectar. Bees use honey as a food reserve.
Summarized from Healthline, one tablespoon of honey contains 64 calories and 17 grams of sugar including fructose, glucose, maltose, and sucrose.
This content makes honey a good source of energy. The glucose in honey can be absorbed by the body quickly and provides an immediate energy boost.
Meanwhile, fructose provides sustained energy because it is absorbed more slowly. Honey also plays a role in keeping blood sugar levels fairly constant compared to other types of sugar.
2. Treating Coughs
A 2012 study published in the Journal of Pediatrics found that consuming two teaspoons of honey can help treat stubborn coughs.
It is known for its anti-microbial properties in honey which can kill certain bacteria.
Another study involving 139 children found that honey can relieve coughs at night and improve sleep quality than children's cough medicines.
Other studies in Italy and Israel also showed similar results despite using different types of honey. However, honey should not be given to children under one year of age. This is because the baby's digestive system cannot cope with the contamination in honey.
3. Make Sleep More Sound
If you have trouble sleeping, there's nothing wrong with eating honey. Launching from NDTV Food, honey can release serotonin.
By the body, serotonin will be converted into melatonin, a chemical compound that regulates sleep quality. You can add a teaspoon of honey to a glass of warm milk or a cup of tea.
4. Helps Heal Wounds and Burns
Topical treatment of honey to heal wounds and burns has been carried out since the time of Ancient Egypt. This is also supported by 26 studies showing similar results.
In a review of 26 studies it was found that honey was most effective for healing burns and partially infected wounds after surgery.
One study reported a 43.3% success rate with honey as a wound treatment. In another study, topical honey cured 97% of patients with diabetic wounds.
Researchers believe honey's healing properties stem from its antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties and its ability to nourish surrounding tissues.
5. Lowers Blood Pressure
According to Healthline, honey contains antioxidant compounds that have been linked to lowering blood pressure. Research conducted on rats and humans showed a slight reduction in blood pressure by consuming honey.
6. Maintain Cholesterol Levels
Several studies have shown an association between honey consumption and cholesterol levels. Honey is known to lower bad cholesterol(LDC), while increasing good cholesterol(IGD) significantly.
A study conducted on 55 patients compared honey to granulated sugar. As a result, honey led to a 5.8% decrease in LDC and a 3.3% increase in IGD cholesterol. Not only that, honey consumption also led to a weight loss of 1.3 percent.
7. Lowering Triglyceride Levels
Triglycerides are a type of fat found in the blood. An increase in this type of fat is a risk factor for heart disease.
Interestingly, many studies have linked regular honey consumption with lower triglyceride levels.
8. Good for the Heart
The three previous benefits often make honey associated with better heart health. The content of phenols and other antioxidant compounds is also associated with a reduced risk of heart disease.
Honey is known to help widen the arteries in the heart thereby increasing blood flow to the heart. In addition, honey can also prevent the formation of blood clots that can cause heart attacks and strokes.
9. Control Your Weight
A study published in the Journal of the American College of Nutrition in 2010 found that honey can help control appetite. Consumption of honey before bed makes the body burn more fat in the early morning.
10. Eliminate Dandruff
A study published in the European Journal of Medical Research in 2001 found that honey can help get rid of dandruff.
This study applied honey diluted with warm water to the problem area and let it sit for three hours before rinsing.
The result, the respondents reported reduced itching and dandruff crusts within one week. Not only that, the shell on the scalp healed within two weeks and the patient even showed a reduction in hair loss.