Who would have thought that the humble tiny bee could do something truly magical? Since time immemorial, since the time of the early Egyptians, humankind has used honey. Based on Valencia’s (Spain) cave paintings, evidence has been discovered that humanity collected honey from beehives between 7,000 and 8,000 decades ago. However, fossils of honey bees have also been found dating back 150 million years, which probably makes collecting honey so ancient. Many early civilizations also used it for silver because it was considered very valuable.
This sweet ingredient is indeed the soul of nature; it combines delicious flavor with nutrients. It is one of the few organic ingredients that can be eaten without any preparation while the bees work their magic. Here are some of the nutritional and health benefits of consuming honey:
- It is a pure sugar substitute without the problems associated with processed sugar and artificial sweeteners. In general, honey can lower blood sugar levels because it contains a unique blend of glucose and fructose.
- It has high antioxidants and flavonoids that decrease cancer’s likelihood and keep the mobile building and immune system healthy. It is an antibacterial and antifungal substance that acts on your digestive system and kills bacteria (this is part of the reason it has such a long shelf life, but we’ll come back to that later!
- It is known as an effective remedy for insomnia. Studies have proven that a teaspoon of honey helps someone sleep less and sleep much more soundly. If you are allergic to pollen (yes, the same ingredient bees use to make honey), a spoonful of this sweet potion in syrup form will help desensitize you.
- During the first Olympic Games, athletes ate honey and figs to improve their performance and maintain glycogen stores. It balances the cholesterol level in the body, reduces bad cholesterol a little, and increases good cholesterol. Honey stimulates the body’s metabolism and prevents sugar cravings, which reduces weight.
Bottom Line
Honey should not be given to children under one year of age because it may contain spores that are not tolerated by the youngster’s body that can cause botulism. If honey is not stored correctly, it can crystallize, which means that the organic sugar decomposes in its contents. Therefore, it must be stored, as there is absolutely no way to reverse this process. If you need honey, a temporary solution would be to heat the necessary amount and mix the water and sugar. Limit honey consumption to less than ten teaspoons per day to avoid health complications.
