A few drizzles may be beneficial to your health!
While you certainly have a jar of honey on hand to sweeten tea and are aware that honey can help ease a sore throat, this sweet, syrupy condiment has several surprising health benefits that you may not be aware of. We enlisted the help of licensed dietitians and other professionals to weigh in on the advantages and disadvantages of having honey in a healthy diet. Continue reading to learn more about this superfood and several reasons you should think twice before picking up a jar the next time you go grocery shopping.
1. Honey has anti-inflammatory properties.
According to Lisa Andrews, MEd, RD, LD, owner of Sound Bites Nutrition, one of honey's surprise side effects is that it can help reduce inflammation. "Honey has anti-inflammatory qualities because it lowers blood prostaglandin levels." According to a study published in the International Journal of Research and Review, Kaliandra raw honey, which hasn't been processed or filtered, has been proven to lower dysmenorrhea (painful menstruation) and prostaglandin levels, indicating anti-inflammatory properties.
2. Honey may help to lessen the harshness of coughs.
When you were a youngster and had a cough, you were probably offered a cup of warm tea with honey. There's a reason for that, after all. "Honey consumption may help reduce the symptoms of upper respiratory infections, such as cough frequency and severity," Andrews explains. According to the Mayo Clinic, research has shown that honey works equally, if not better, than dextromethorphan-containing cough treatments. Also, due to the rare occurrences of botulism, never offer honey to a child under age.
3. Honey has been shown to help with gastrointestinal issues.
Honey can help relieve symptoms of gastrointestinal disorders like diarrhea, constipation, and ulcers, according to Lauren O'Connor, MS, RDN, RYT, owner of Nutri Savvy Health and author of Healthy Cooking for One. The Mayo Clinic backs this up, noting research that suggests it could even aid with anxiety reduction.
4. Honey can help to protect you from free radicals.
You've probably heard of skincare products that guard against free radicals, but some foods can also help. According to Heather Sachs, MS RD, Director, Regulatory Affairs at Blue Apron, "Honey is recognized to give antioxidant advantages by protecting the body from free radical damage." "Free radicals are atoms or molecules that have the potential to harm the cells in your body."
5. Honey can help to keep your heart healthy.
To gain the cardiovascular advantages of antioxidants, add honey to your yogurt, cereal, or smoothie. "Honey is an excellent source of antioxidants, which most people are unaware of. Just make sure you're obtaining high-quality honey that hasn't been overly processed "Breanna Woods, MS RD, Blogilates' registered dietitian, agrees. "Antioxidants shield cells from free radical damage and help to prevent diseases like heart disease."
6. Honey might be harmful to your teeth.
According to Nicole Lindel, RD and EverlyWell Advisor, Honey consumption should be monitored because it might cause tooth damage. Honey, like other sweets, can increase your risk of tooth decay and gum disease.
7. Honey can be harmful to people who have fatty liver disease.
The principal sugar in honey is fructose. It can be harmful to people who have fatty liver disease. "Fructose is processed differently than other energy sources," Lindel explains. "It is processed via the liver, which may pose a problem for people with fatty liver disease. For this reason, people with fatty liver disease are usually recommended to avoid alcohol and limit their sugar intake."
8. Honey does not affect allergic symptoms.
As we previously stated, this much-hyped cure is essentially a hoax. "Unfortunately, [eating local honey] does not help with allergies because the pollens that bees collect are usually from flowers, which are not as potent and do not provoke your immune system as other pollens (i.e. trees, grasses, and weeds) that cause 'classic' seasonal allergy symptoms," said Lakiea Wright, MD, an allergist at Women's Hospital in Boston and medical director at Thermo Fisher Scientific. This treatment could backfire. "Eating local raw honey may contribute to allergic symptoms in some circumstances," adds Dr. Wright, "since consuming pollens in small amounts might induce local symptoms like an itchy mouth if you are highly sensitized."