A spoonful of sugar might make the medicine go down, but what do they say about honey? Otherwise known as liquid gold, honey is a natural pharmacy of health benefits. With the main ingredient being sugar, it might surprise you to find out just how versatile it is. Whether you enjoy it on your bread, in your tea and water, or when you’re feeling sick, the possibilities are truly endless.
Learn more about all the fascinating wellness-enriching properties of pure, natural honey.
Use As a Healthy Sugar Alternative
Not only is honey the sweeter option, it’s also one of the best substitutes for sugar. While it has more sugar per tablespoon compared to white sugar, it requires about half the amount of honey to achieve the same sweetness. Even better news, it doesn’t spoil!
Honey also has a lower glycemic index than white sugar. The glycemic index (GI) indicates how quickly and how much your blood sugar rises when eating carb-rich foods like sugar. The low GI of honey makes it diabetic friendly and easier on the body. A study completed in 2018 shows support to the use of honey as an antidiabetic agent.
Treat Wounds and Nourish the Skin
While consuming honey is the most popular way to use it, there are many reasons to use it on the skin. Honey has a long history as a skin healing agent that dates back all the way to ancient times. The antioxidant, antibacterial, and anti-inflammatory properties which work to promote healing.
That’s not all it offers, though. Skin care lovers rave about using honey to moisturize and brighten the skin. Honey is a humectant, which is a moisturizing agent commonly found in lotions and other skin-care beauty products. Honey provides an affordable option to treat acne and treat dry skin.
Fight Seasonal Allergies and Cold Symptoms
Honey has been one of the most beloved holistic remedies for cold- like symptoms. The anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties of honey make it a great cough suppressant, and the syrupy substance is great for soothing a sore throat and even relieving pain. Honey is also known for providing a thermal effect, keeping you warm as the cooler months approach.
Local honey is specifically praised for its ability to lessen symptoms of allergies. No one enjoys the yearly stuffy nose and sore throat. Over 60 million people in the US experience seasonal allergies. While honey is not a cure-all, it’s a tasty way to soothe symptoms and lessen them over time. A 2021 study reveals its effectiveness as an anti-allergic agent.
Bottom Line
There are countless ways this simple, sweet substance has been there for us over the years. It’s the sugary treat that no one should avoid. Thanks to all the amazing properties of this natural food source, there’s no reason not to have it in your pantry or medicine cabinet.
