Eight Health Benefits of Raw Honey

What is raw honey?

Most Americans love their sugar. In fact, many consume double the recommended intake. Plus, the amount of fructose corn syrup in prepared foods is astounding. Not only does sugar foster bad bacteria, it is the number one cause of heart disease. Switching your intake from sugar to raw honey may result in huge health benefits.

Healthy Weight Management
There are 26 amino acids and a number of valuable vitamins and minerals found in honey. These amino acids and minerals benefit the body’s metabolism. Boosting the metabolism– converting foods to energy– food is digested, and utilized properly, fat is converted into usable energy. Thus, improving the overall health.
Assists with Pollen Allergies
Raw honey contains bee pollen, which is known to ward off infections, provide natural allergy relief and boost overall immunity. This idea, called immunotherapy, is when the bees in your “neck of the woods” go from flower to flower, collecting pollen that causes your sniffles. When you consume local raw honey, you also consume that same local pollen. After time, you may become less sensitive to this pollen and experience less seasonal allergy symptoms. Evidence shows that the honey ingestion may improve symptoms of allergic rhinitis.
Produces Natural Energy
Since honey is a carbohydrate, it makes a perfect high powered snack. Raw honey contains contains small amounts of proteins, enzymes, amino acids, minerals and trace elements. Perfect for pre and post exercise.
Antioxidant Powerhouse
Studies have shown that a daily dose of raw honey raises levels of health-promoting antioxidants in the body. Antioxidants help block free radicals in the body that cause disease. It also boosts the immune system, acting as a preventative against any number of diseases. Honey contains polyphenols, which are powerful antioxidants that have been shown to reduce the risk of heart disease and cancer.
Sleep Promoter
Raw honey promotes restorative sleep in two ways. By consuming honey before bedtime, it restocks the liver’s glycogen supply and prevents the brain from triggering a crisis search for fuel, which can wake you up. Secondly, eating raw honey fosters the release of melatonin in the brain by creating a small spike in insulin levels, which stimulates the release of tryptophan in the brain. Tryptophan converts to serotonin, which is then converted to melatonin.
Wound Healer
Honey is a natural antiseptic with wound-healing effects. Hospitals in Sweden use honey to treat some types of ulcers and wound infections. Raw honey is also known to reduce inflammation in the gums, which causes gingivitis.
Diabetes Aid
Consumption of raw honey may reduce the risk of developing diabetes and may help aid medication used to treat diabetes. The combination of raw honey and cinnamon can be especially
beneficial to healthy blood sugar management, as well as many other health concerns like gingivitis and acne.
Natural Cough Syrup
Raw honey may be as effective in treating coughs as some cough syrups. Increasing scientific evidence shows that a single dose of honey can reduce mucus secretion and coughs. In one study, honey was just as effective as diphenhydramine and dextromethorphan, common ingredients found in over-the counter cough medicines. For a cough, a half teaspoon to two teaspoons of honey at bedtime is a studied and recommended dosage for anyone over the age of one.