HealthyTips - Most of us know honey as a delicious sweet treat that can enhance a variety of dishes and beverages. Yet you may not be aware that honey also has key qualities that make this amber liquid a healthful, all-natural nutrition supplement. Furthermore, modern medicine has recently conducted studies that point to ways in which honey can actually heal several diseases and ailments.
Honey and Health: Nutrient Content
Honey is primarily made up of fructose, glucose, and water. Honey also contains small amounts of several vitamins and minerals, including niacin, riboflavin, pantothenic acid, calcium, copper, iron, magnesium, manganese, phosphorus, potassium and zinc. There are also characteristics to honey that make it act as an antioxidant.
An antioxidant is a molecule that slows or stops oxidation, a chemical reaction that can produce free radicals. Free radicals are highly-reactive elements that can damage cells and, it is speculated, lead to conditions such as cancer, cardiovascular disease, Parkinson’s, and Alzheimer’s. Antioxidant-rich foods may help prevent cellular damage and protect against the development of numerous diseases. This is why a diet high in antioxidant-rich fruits and vegetables is recommended by doctors and nutritionists alike.
Recent research indicates that honey’s antioxidant capacity can be just as effective as the antioxidants in some fruits and vegetables.
Currently, the antioxidant capacity of honey is thought to be the result of several compounds acting together, including phenolics, peptides, organic acids, and enzymes. In the article “Chronic honey consumption increases plasma antioxidant concentration,” Dr. Gross found that regular consumption of several tablespoons of honey over a 29-day period increased antioxidant levels in healthy adult subjects.
Additionally, an article published in the American Dietetic Association revealed that simply substituting honey for sugar can lead to an increase in antioxidants that is equivalent of eating a handful of antioxidant rich berries or nuts. Choosing honey to specifically sweeten black tea has also been shown to increase the presence of antioxidants in the body. In summary, numerous reports suggest that consuming honey on a regular basis, or at least substituting honey for sugar, can greatly increase the body’s antioxidant level and help protect against free radicals. Making honey a part of your diet is an easy way to strengthen your body’s defense system.