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By Leanne Goff


The nutritional benefits of honey go far beyond its sweet taste. Unfortunately, many people are unaware of just how much this substance can benefit their health. Naturally, as with any sweet food, it must be taken in moderation. However, when it is used properly, it offers many health advantages to humans.

Conventional sources frequently claim that honey is just sugar. However, this statement is not accurate. There is much more to honeycomb then one may originally think, as it has unique properties not found in processed sugar. This is due to the fact that the bees responsible for the substance enhance it during its production. For this reason, dissimilar to refined white sugar, it has additional qualities, many of which are advantageous to humans.

A good example of the product's many advantages is its anti-viral and anti-bacterial properties. An ingredient called methylglyoxal is responsible for this effect. Methylglyoxal is a substance that has been scientifically proven to fight off various bacterial and viral infections. Therefore, those suffering from colds or other illnesses commonly experienced in the winter season may wish to have that traditional cup of tea with honey in order to speed their recovery.

Certain types of the aforementioned substance can also be used as an antiseptic. This is particularly true with regard to the Manuka variety. The latter is harvested from honeycombs built in shrubs bearing the same name. This type of honeycomb can be placed directly on a wound without the risk of infection. It can also be used to great advantage to soothe burns.

Even though honeycomb is primarily made up of water and carbohydrates, it also contains generous amounts of minerals and vitamins. The latter include vitamins B5, B3, and B2, as well as phosphorus, magnesium, manganese, zinc, copper, calcium, potassium and iron. It also contains flavanoids and other antioxidants. Flavanoids are found in numerous fruits and vegetables.

Research is currently underway to discover whether or not the aforementioned substance can enhance the human immune system. Studies have shown that this may be the case. In some areas of the world, where different kinds of honeycomb are used regularly, people appear to be more resilient to sickness and may have stronger immune systems.

The properties in natural honeycomb may also be beneficial for those suffering from diabetes. Recently completed research indicated that in its raw variety, the substance can reduce the amount of plasma glucose in the human bloodstream, and balance homocysteine levels in both healthy and diabetic patients. However, further studies are necessary to confirm these findings.

Due to the numerous nutritional benefits of honey, certain consumers who are health conscious invest in organic varieties of the substance. The organic variety is the best choice for such consumers. Such products can be bought in conventional stores or online. However, before completing a transaction or entering personal information such as credit card numbers, one should thoroughly research the website. Finally, any dietary changes should always be discussed with one's family doctor.




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