Health Benefits of Honey

"And the lord inspired the bee, saying: Take your habitations in the mountains and in the trees and in what they erect. Then, eat of all fruits and follow the ways of your Lord made easy (for you)'. There comes forth from their bellies a drink of varying colour wherein is healing for men. Verily in this is indeed a sign for people who think." [Qur'an 16:68-69] 

Honey is reputed to have many health benefits. Many of them are used in traditional medicine, however increasingly researchers are starting to look at the benefits of honey for health in more depth and conducting specific studies on treatments with honey. 

Honey helps athletes improve performance
Honey is an excellent natural source of energy, providing immediate energy sources in the form of glucose and slow releasing energy in the form of fructose. Endurance athletes have found honey to be an effective energy source, helping to boost performance and reduce muscle fatigue. Honey can be enjoyed as a spoonful prior to exercise or mixed into water to be drunk while training.

Honey improves gut health
The enzymes in honey have shown to promote the growth of healthy gut flora such as bifido bacteria. While honey has an acidic pH, once it gets in the gut it becomes alkaline and helps to aid digestion. It is particularly effective when combined with other alkaline forming foods such as lemon juice.

Honey has antiseptic properties
Honey is widely used in the treatment of sore throats and the common cold. It is. believed that honey is effective largely due to its antiseptic properties

Honey helps with the healing of burns and wounds
In a study, honey showed to accelerate healing of wounds and burns compared to aloe vera and other remedies. It was concluded that the acidic pH and the hypertonicity of honey were key factors in the acceleration of the healing.

Honey can improve response to allergies
Some naturopaths promote taking honey to help alleviate pollen allergies. While many people have found this to be effective there are not yet any scientific studies to support these claims. If eating honey to help prevent or ease symptoms of allergies it’s best to have locally produced honey, or honey made from the same type of plats and habitat that you reside in.

Honey helps prevent the appearance of aging
The compounds and enzymes in honey such as amylase can help slow down the effects of aging, particularly in the skin. Honey can also help repair and restore damaged skin to give a more youthful appearance.

Honey is a powerful antioxidant and help builds immunity
The flavonoids in honey promote healthy enzyme activity. In addition honey helps to promote the growth of white blood cells that fight off disease and help build immunity.