health
Nature’s finest work, honey is as versatile as it is delicious. This natural sweetener is admired worldwide for its distinct aroma and healthful qualities. This thick liquid has an amazing number of vitamins, minerals and antioxidants. Known as one of nature’s greatest all-natural healers, honey has been used as a home remedy for thousands of years. Even today, there are plenty of ways to take advantage of honey’s superpowers – from soothing a cough to embracing the natural sweetener’s antioxidant properties.
Helps in losing weight: Despite being high in calories, this natural sweetener suppresses the appetite. Consuming honey enables our body to burn more calories than normal. Thus, by improving digestion and by boosting our metabolism honey can help with weight loss.
Drinking warm water with honey on empty stomach early in the morning is an effective anti-cellulite treatment, as it helps to increase body metabolism, which in turn helps reduce weight faster.
Strengthens immune system: Honey’s antioxidant and antibacterial properties help improve the digestive system and boost immunity. It is also a powerhouse of antioxidants, which are very effective for the removal of free radicals from the body.
Honey for fabulous skin: Honey is a fantastic moisturiser and works wonders on patches of dry skin, restoring its natural glow. You can use it to soften up your knees and elbows, even chapped lips. Since raw honey crystalises over time, the tiny granules act as a gentle exfoliant. It has toning, smoothening, brightening and depigmentation properties. During the cold winter months, just rub some honey onto your face and wash off after 30 minutes. It works as a natural exfoliator.
Boosts your memory: Honey not only increases brain power and memory but also makes you a healthier person altogether. Consumption of honey prevents metabolic stress and helps calm and soothe the brain, which helps in augmenting memory in the long run. The natural antioxidants and therapeutic properties in honey help in boosting brains’ cholinergic system and circulation and receding cells that cause memory loss.
Home remedy for cough: Honey is known to be one of the best home remedies for cough, thanks to its antibacterial and anti-inflammatory powers. Research has also shown that drinking a tablespoon of honey can reduce irritation in the throat. Conveniently available and inexpensive, a spoonful of honey is worth trying when you cough!
A wonderful tonic for sound sleep: Do you lie awake all night staring at the ceiling, tossing and turning? Use the famous milk and honey remedy to fall asleep quickly. All you need to do is add a teaspoon of honey to a glass of hot milk. A spoonful of honey helps in uninterrupted sleep, as it causes a slow, steady spike of insulin, which converts to serotonin and melatonin; two chemicals that help you fall asleep.
Helps with gum diseases: Teeth and gum diseases like gingivitis, bleeding and plaque can be treated to a great extent with the regular use of honey. Honey is known to release antiseptic hydrogen peroxide which acts as anti-microbial agent that prevents the growth of bacteria. Experts’ advice the use of raw honey mixed with water to be used as mouthwash. Also rubbing honey directly on affected gums gives instant relief from pain and inflammation and other periodontal diseases.
Ways to enjoy honey…
When it comes down to flavour, honey is sweet without tasting too sugary – perfect to spread on toast for go-to mornings. Honey is so dense and appealing, that anyone can be tempted to eat it right off the spoon. Soft and creamy in texture, it can be relished straight out of the jar.
Honey also adds a unique flavor to any food or beverage, making it an ideal ingredient for almost everything. Honey can be enjoyed as is, straight from the spoon, or incorporated into various recipes. To relish the tasty treat, try some of the following ideas:
* Use honey to sweeten tea and coffee, or whip it into a smoothie.
* Whisk honey into homemade vinaigrette dressings and sauces.
* Add honey to muffins, rolls, oats, buns, waffles, smoothies, pudding and toast for a perfect breakfast delight.
* Drizzle honey over oatmeal, pancakes, fresh fruit, chia seeds, or avocado pudding.
* Stir honey into energy balls made with a nut or seed butter and add-ins like oats, dried fruit, spices, and chopped dark chocolate.
* Mix some honey with a vegetable or fruit salad to give your classic food a nice flavour.
* You can also trade sugar for honey in some baked goods. Bake some delicious cookies and cakes using this natural sweetener.
* Prepare delightful sauces and dressings using honey and your favourite ingredients. You can even use honey to sweeten your favourite drinks.
* Make for yourself a hot ginger tea, frosty latte, milkshakes, lemonade and cocktails by blending them up with honey.
* Include honey while making sweet desserts including brownies and cupcakes to enhance both taste and nutritional value. Try sweetening plain yogurt with a light drizzle of honey and add your own fruit, instead of eating flavoured yogurt with too much added sugar.
Interesting facts about honey:
* Honey is the only complete food containing essential nutrients required to sustain life.
* It is made from plant nectar collected by honey bees.
* To make one pound of honey, bees need to collect nectar from at least 2 million plants.
* One bee is capable of producing 1/12th teaspoon of honey.
* Despite being high in calories, it doesn’t pose any serious health side effects if used in moderation.