Honey for Health

Raw Honey

With obesity on the rise and health concerns like diabetes and high cholesterol becoming more prevalent in our society, sweets are usually considered a big "no-no." According to WHFoods, honey should not be black-listed. In fact, several studies have proven that natural honey (not artificial) can lower total cholesterol and triglycerides while increasing HDL ("good") cholesterol.  Additionally,  individuals with type 2 diabetes saw a significantly lower increase in blood sugar when consuming natural honey versus either dextrose or sucrose (refined sugars.)

Already limiting your sugar intake? Honey has a place in your home as well. The study of honey: its effects on weight gain, anxiety and memory in rats compared the effects of a low glycemic index (GI) sugar-free diet with the effects of a sucrose diet and a honey-based diet in rats. After a year, the following was observed of the honey-based diet:

Honeycomb

• Reduced Weight Gain
• Reduced Percentage of Body Fat
• Decreased Anxiety
• Increased Spatial Recognition Memory 
• Increased HDL ("Good") Cholesterol (15-20% higher than rats fed sugar or sucrose diets)
• Improved Blood Sugar Levels (HA1c)
• Reduced Oxidative Damage

And, when you or your child has a cough, give them a spoonful of buckwheat honey, or another natural honey, as opposed to dextromethorphan  (a common cough-suppressant drug found in most over-the-counter cough medicines.) Honey is natural, tastes great, and more effective at suppressing a cough. (NOTE: HONEY IS NOT SAFE FOR INFANTS AGED 1 YEAR AND UNDER.)

Honey

So the next time you have a sweet tooth, whip up some homemade ice cream (recipe below) or add a spoonful of honey to your coffee or tea and feel great about eating a natural sweetener as opposed to yucky refined sugars!

Babel