10 Proven Health Benefits of Raw Honey

Honey is known as one of the greatest healers of nature. It has been used for thousands of years as food, medicine, and a source of nutrition. And raw honey is even more powerful than processed honey for it contains anti-oxidant properties which are immensely good for health. The benefits of raw honey are numerous. Let’s take a look at 10 of these proven health benefits.

1. It Has Antioxidants

In medical terminology, oxidising is a term used when something reacts with oxygen after it has been used and it becomes unusable after that. Antioxidants are compounds that slow down the process of oxidising. For instance, as your skin oxidises, you develop wrinkles, fine lines, and dryness. But a good cosmetic that has anti-oxidant properties will slow down the visibility of all of these. Similarly, in the context of health, honey slows down the ageing process of several organs due to its antioxidant properties and you live a healthier life.

2. It has Antifungal and Antibacterial Properties

Raw honey is also rich in antibacterial and antifungal properties. This means that one of the benefits of honey is that it can be used as a treatment against various skin conditions like dandruff, eczema, and acne. Simply place a few drops of raw honey on a cotton pad and dab it on the acne spots. Let it sit for 10 minutes and rinse the face with warm water.

3. It Encourages Sleep

Being in front of a computer or mobile screen all day long has negatively affected our sleep cycle, which is not good for our health. Many people now struggle to fall asleep. But with raw honey, they can slowly develop a healthy sleep cycle. Melatonin is a hormone released in our body that’s known as the sleep hormone because it regulates the sleep-wake cycle. One of the benefits of eating raw honey is that it makes sleeping much easier. Simply add 1-2 drops of honey to your cup of milk or tea before hitting the bed. You will notice your sleep cycle slowly change.

4. Lowers Blood Pressure

The antioxidant properties of honey have also been linked to lowering blood pressure. Several tests showed that regular consumption of honey lowers the blood pressure, and even helps keep it steady. This is especially beneficial in the elderly who are at risk of high blood pressure. When you are making a diet chart of old age citizens, do not miss out on adding honey to it.

5. It Helps in Weight Control

Excessive consumption of sugar puts a person at the risk of weight gain and, thus, Type 2 diabetes. One of the benefits of raw honey is that it can be a great sugar substitute. Sugar contains mostly empty calories that are not good for health. On the other hand, the Glycemic Index (GI) of raw honey is between 54 and 59, which is much lower than the GI of sugar, which can go as high as 105. It’s healthier to have raw honey in your tea and milk than sugar.

6. It Boosts Immunity

The bacteria- and fungi-fighting properties of honey help it prevent various infections. Raw honey can even give you an extra kick of energy if you take it in the morning. Carbohydrates present in honey give a person a small energy boost when they start their day. Further, regular consumption of honey will boost immunity and you will live a healthier life.

7. It Speeds Up Healing

Surprisingly, applying a small amount of it on the wound spot can help heal some wounds and cuts. This is because honey also has various health wound-healing properties. The acidic pH of raw honey promotes the release of oxygen, which is crucial in wound healing. The natural sugar content of honey further minimises the swelling and stimulates the flow of lymph in the damaged tissues.

8. It Improves the Digestive System

Honey is a potent prebiotic as well. This means that if someone in the family suffers from anorexia, then honey can be included in their anorexia care plan. Honey ensures that all that a person eats after eating honey is properly digested. So even if you have a hard time digesting honey, 1-2 tablespoons of honey will ensure your digestive system is working at its best.

9.It has Nutrients

There are several nutritional benefits of honey as well. On average, one tablespoon of honey contains 64 calories and 17 grams of sugar, including fructose, sucrose, glucose, and maltose. Further, raw honey is virtually lacking in fibre, protein, or fat, which can pose risk to your health.

10. It Helps Improve Cholesterol

Having high LDL cholesterol puts a person at a greater risk for heart diseases. The fatty build-up in the arteries is not good for your health. Honey plays a great role in lowering your LDL cholesterol (the bad cholesterol) and increasing your HDL cholesterol (the good cholesterol).

At the end of the day, honey is simply a better alternative to sugar. You can simply replace your daily sugar consumption with honey consumption and you will notice significant changes in your health.

Besides the range of elderly health care services we offer at Emoha, we also encourage our large and growing community to adopt healthy lifestyle habits and food preferences are a key part of that. For us, it is always #EldersFirst