A delicious natural sweetener, honey is a staple that should be in just about everyone’s kitchen cupboards. Used both as food and medicine since ancient times, honey is used around the world as a base for many traditional medicines and is incredibly healing for the human body.
These five healthy benefits will leave you permanently, swapping out the sugar and adding this natural golden deliciousness to your diet.
Rich in Antioxidants
Real, natural good quality honey is full of antioxidants, which is a substance that protects your body from free-radicals and is also associated with anti-aging. Some studies have also shown that antioxidants are linked with a reduced risk of cancer, heart disease, and stroke, and even promote good eye health. While you won’t get your daily recommended intake with honey alone, every little definitely helps when it comes to your health.
A Great Aid to Sleep
Have trouble getting to sleep at night? Then add some honey to your warm tea or glass of milk before bed! Some research has shown that a tablespoon of honey right before you get into bed can help the body get to sleep as it keeps glycogen in the liver full. When the liver is depleted, it starts to break down fats and proteins to form glucose, which the body uses for energy, keeping you awake.
Helps Fight Against Common Coughs and Colds
Due to its anti-inflammatory properties, honey has long been known as a natural medicine that can help to boost the immune system to fight off colds and coughs. One tablespoon added to hot water, tea, or even straight off the spoon can reduce symptoms and is a cost effective way to make you feel better without the nasty side effects of typical over the counter medicine. Honey also contains small trace amounts of minerals such as iron, magnesium, calcium, and potassium, along with vitamins such as Vitamin B6 and Thiamine – which helps fight against bacteria and viruses that cause illnesses.
While honey is great natural medicine, if you find that you have a persistent cough that won’t go away, make sure to go and get checked out by a cough specialist just in case.
Great for Your Skin
Honey is an excellent moisturizer for the skin and can be found as the main ingredient in many beauty care products and cosmetics. As well as being a great moisturizer, honey also has many healing and anti-inflammatory properties, which makes it great for acne sufferers while also healing wounds and burns. Honey is also often used to treat conditions such as psoriasis, herpes lesions, while Manuka honey is considered to be the most effective for treating burns.
Can Aid Weight Loss
Honey makes for a great addition to everyone’s diet, particularly those trying to lose weight. Full of natural sugars, honey behaves differently to its white sugar counterpart, which we are so familiar with, and is a much healthier alternative. Substitute sugar for honey in your meals and drinks to make them instantly healthier, while not depriving yourself of the sweet taste that we all crave every now and then.
And speaking of cravings, honey also cuts down your sugar cravings over time, meaning that you are less likely to binge on cakes and cookies, resulting in a healthier diet overall and extra weight loss.
With all of these amazing benefits, there’s literally no excuse not to add a tablespoon of sweet, natural honey into your daily diet and routine.
