Health Benefits of Honey
Honey beside very tasty is a very versatile food that can be used to strengthen the immune system, improve digestive capacity and even relieve constipation. In addition honey is considered antiseptic, antioxidant, antirheumatic, diuretic, digestive, expectorant and soothing.
In addition, honey is the only naturally sweet food that contains proteins and minerals such as potassium and magnesium which are important for health. However, honey is not advised for young children between 1 and 3 years of age, because of the possibility of the intestine, still immature, not prevent the entry of small microorganisms, present in honey, that can contaminate children.
Honey gets fat because it is sweet and has almost the same calories as white sugar. One tablespoon of sugar has about 60 calories and the same measure of honey has 55 calories, so if consumed in large quantities the honey is fattening and should not be consumed by diabetics. Also know the agave syrup, a type of natural honey that fattens less than sugar.
Benefits of honey for skin
The benefits of honey to the skin are to make the skin softer, uniform and without blemishes. To have these benefits it is important to pass crystallized honey twice a week on the skin, massage well and leave for 10 minutes, then wash with warm water.
Benefits of honey for health
The benefits of honey for health involves especially improving the body’s resistance to colds and flu, for example, because honey combats microbes and is antiseptic. Thus, honey is indicated for:
Constipation – it helps the bowel to move
Bad digestion and gastric ulcers – because it has enzymes that facilitate digestion
Bronchitis, asthma and sore throat – due to its antibiotic and antiseptic characteristics
Honey when associated with other ingredients is also good for:
Honey with propolis : relieve symptoms of pharyngitis, tonsillitis, flu and cold. Propolis is used by humans as antibacterial, antifungal, antiviral, immune system stimulator, healing and tissue regenerator.
Honey with cinnamon : it aids digestion by combating maldigestion, which can occur after a meal rich in fats. Thus, after an exaggerated meal, one can make a tea and add a teaspoon of honey with cinnamon to facilitate digestion.
Honey with lemon : prevents the appearance of colds and flu as the lemon has vitamin C that strengthens the immune system.
The benefits of honey to the hair are not proven however people usually use it to moisturize and give shine to the hair using honey directly into the hair.
Contraindications of honey
Honey is a food contraindicated in some situations like:
Children under 1 year of age : Up to the first year of age as the child’s digestive system may not be fully developed and mature thus not defending efficiently from foreign bodies. There is until the first year of life and the possibility of serious poisoning with a bacterium commonly found in honey called Clostridium boltulino.
Diabetics: Diabetics should avoid honey because it has a lot of simple sugar that rapidly raises blood glucose. Honey sugar is one of the types of carbohydrate that the diabetic should avoid.
Allergic: Sensitive people prone to allergies may develop allergic reactions manifesting gastric malaise and even stomach pain due to the pollen grains present in honey.
Despite these contraindications to the use of honey, and thanks to its therapeutic potential, honey should be on the food shelves and not in the medicine cabinet and frequently consumed as long as there is no contraindication.
