However, more than the sweetness is the
numerous benefits of this liquid. Honey has been known for thousands of years by
the Chinese, Indian, Romans, Arabs, just about everybody, as the cure for all
ailments known to man. The nutritional and medicinal properties of honey have
even made some called it the “Elixir”.
However, we are not dwelling on all the
benefits of honey in the post, just the health benefits and you bet, it has a
whole lot of it. The health uses of honey are even so widespread that a name
was given to treatment with natural honey - Apitherapy.
The health benefits of honey are broadly
categorised into the following headings:
Allergies: Studies have shown pollens collected by bees to exert an anti
allergenic effect, mediated by an inhibition of IgE immunoglobulin binding to
mast cells. This inhibited mast cell degranulation and thus reduce allergic
reaction.
Wounds
Healing: Honey
has been successfully used to treat diabetic ulcers and extensive burns, when
the patient cannot use topical antibiotics. This has been attributed to the
antibacterial properties of honey which results for the low water activity
causing osmosis, hydrogen peroxide effect, high acidity, and the bacterial
activity of methylglyoxal. Honey has also been known to reduce odours,
swelling, and scaring when used to treat wound. It also make wound dressings
come off easily by preventing the dressing from sticking to the wound. This has
also be linked to the mild anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory effects of
honey.
Antioxidants: Honey contains polyphenols and flavonoids which have antioxidant
properties. These nutrients are found I reasonable amount in honey making them
extremely useful in mopping up free radicals.
However, the antioxidant properties of
honey vary from one honey type to the other. For example, Millefiori honey and
Manuka honey are particularly high in polyphenols and flavonoids, thus have
high antioxidant activity. Dark, opaque honeys have also been proven to have
stronger antioxidant activity than clear, light ones.
This antioxidant property made them to be
of immense benefit in protection against free-radical-caused problems like
ageing, cardiovascular diseases, cataract and cancer.
Antibiotics: This is about the oldest known property of honey, it’s the use for
which it has been put to for thousands of years.
Honey inhibits the growth of many different
types of bacteria, making it useful in treating bacterial infections. It is
also used topical to prevent bacterial infection of wounds, thus accelarating
healing.
Honey, especially Manuka Honey, have also
been proven to be effective against resistant strains of bacteria such as MRSA
(Methicillin Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus).
Besides these health benefits of honey, it
is also well documented that honey is effective against fungal and viral
infections.
However, before you gob down the next
bottle of honey, it may be worth the while to ask yourself these two questions:
Is honey good for me? And is this the real honey?
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