Honey is often referred to as ‘nature’s sugar’ due to the fact that it has such a distinctly sweet flavor. Not only is honey delicious on toast, and when mixed with oatmeal, but as it turns out, honey is also one of the healthiest ingredients in the world, especially raw natural honey. What’s more, honey can also be blended to make a sweet butter that goes extremely well with many dessert foods. Flavored butter products like honey butter are very popular at this moment in time, though it all comes down to finding the best-tasting natural honey. Raw honey is full of enzymes, nutrients, and other beneficial compounds that have been proven to offer a whole host of various health benefits to people of all ages and genders. Honey is a common ingredient in many ancient folk remedies, yet you may be surprised to learn that honey is actually used in some hospitals in some parts of the world, to help treat various wounds and ailments. Sadly, most of the honey that you will see in supermarkets and grocery stores throughout the country is far less healthy than natural, raw honey, because the honey is processed and heated, so that the honey looks clearer and so it doesn’t solidify in cool temperatures. While this makes the honey look nicer, sadly it also destroys a great deal of the healthy nutrients found inside it, which is why natural raw honey is always the best option. Here’s a look at 5 health benefits associated with raw honey.
It is rich in antioxidants – One of the most prominent health benefits associated with natural raw honey, is the fact that it is so rich in antioxidants, making it very healthy indeed. The antioxidants found in raw honey are known as Phenolic compounds, which help to rid the body of toxins and free-radicals. Free radicals can attack our cells and cause them to oxidize, which would then cause them to mutate, potentially into cancerous cells. Antioxidants destroy these free radicals before they have chance to damage our cells, meaning that raw honey can function as a very potent anti-cancer ingredient.
It can help to heal wounds – Natural raw honey can also be used to help to treat wounds, because it possesses so many anti-bacterial properties. The anti-bacterial compounds in raw honey help to kill germs and can help prevent infection and can subsequently speed up the healing process. A number of studies have found that natural raw honey can greatly enhance the healing time for most wounds, plus it can help to prevent infection, which again, helps the wounds to heal much quicker than usual.
It possesses anti-bacterial properties – Natural raw honey has been found to be able to kill off certain fungi and strains of bacteria, because it provides antiseptic benefits, which come as a result of natural Hydrogen Peroxide contained within the honey. This means that consuming raw natural honey on a regular basis can potentially help to provide anti-bacterial benefits, helping people to fight off illness and disease.
It enhances immunity – Another key health benefit associated with natural raw honey, is the fact that it has been proven to help enhance immunity in human beings. Natural raw honey is packed full of vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, and other nutrients that the human body absolutely thrives upon. All of these nutrients help to strengthen the immune system, which functions as a natural form of defense for the body against illness and disease. The stronger the immune system, the healthier the person and the less likely they will be to become ill. The more honey we consume, the more nutrients will make their way into the body, and the healthier it will become. This means that not only can we help to fight off common illnesses and ailments such as cold viruses, we can also help to fight off more serious and life threatening conditions, such as cancer.
It can promote a healthy heart – Studies have found that natural raw honey, especially when combined with cinnamon, can help to promote heart health as it can strengthen and regenerate the condition of arteries and blood vessels that make up the cardiovascular system. This strengthens the arteries and enhances their elasticity, which in turn can promote healthy circulation and it can potentially help to ward off heart disease and the risk of heart attack.