Discovering the Health Benefits of Honey
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Discovering the Health Benefits of Honey
Honey has been used for centuries as a natural sweetener and as a home remedy for a variety of ailments. In recent years, however, honey has been gaining popularity as a health food due to its unique nutritional properties. For example, Mānuka honey has recently been shown to help treat one of the most aggressive and drug-resistant lung infections.
Here are some of the health benefits of honey:
1. Honey Contains Powerful Antioxidants
One of the most important health benefits of honey is its antioxidant content.
Antioxidants are substances that help protect the body against damage caused by free radicals, which are unstable molecules that can cause cell damage and lead to various diseases. Honey contains several different types of antioxidants, phenolic acids and flavonoids. These substances have been shown to protect cells and reduce the risk of some chronic diseases, such as heart disease and cancer.
2. Honey May Help Lower Blood Pressure
Honey has been shown to have a small, but significant, effect on blood pressure. One study of more than 4,500 people over the age of 40 showed a correlation between a lower risk of high blood pressure with a moderate honey intake. More research is needed in this area but the results are promising.
3. Honey May Help Reduce Inflammation
Inflammation is a key factor in many chronic diseases, such as heart disease, arthritis, and asthma. Honey has been shown to have anti-inflammatory activity in several studies.
4. Honey May Help Boost Immunity
Honey has been used as a natural remedy for centuries to help treat various infections. More recently, research has shown that honey may also have the ability to boost immunity.
One study showed that honey may help increase the production of certain immune cells, such as lymphocytes, which play an important role in fighting off infections.
5. Honey May Help Improve Digestion
Honey has also been traditionally used to help treat digestive problems. Research has shown that honey may help speed up the movement of food through the gut and increase the number of good bacteria in the gut. Additionally, honey has been shown to help reduce inflammation in the gut, which can lead to better digestive health.
6. Honey May Help Aid Sleep
Honey has long been used as a natural remedy for insomnia. It is thought that honey increases levels of melatonin, a hormone that helps regulate sleep, in the body.
More research is needed to confirm these effects but honey may be a helpful natural remedy for those struggling with sleep.
7. Honey May Help Regulate Blood Sugar
Honey could be important in the fight against diabetes. Research has shown that honey may help improve insulin sensitivity and reduce blood sugar levels. Additionally, honey has been shown to lower levels of HbA1c, a marker of long-term blood sugar control.
8. Honey May Help Relieve Coughs
Honey has also been traditionally used to help relieve coughs and colds. With its antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties, honey may help reduce the severity of a cough.
One study showed that honey was just as effective as the over-the-counter cough medicine dextromethorphan in relieving coughing symptoms.
9. Honey May Have Anti-Cancer Properties
Honey has also been shown to have potential anti-cancer activity. Several studies have shown that honey could be used to treat various cancers, including endometrial, cervical, and prostate cancer. More research is needed in this area but honey may have a role to play in cancer prevention and treatment.
10. Honey Is Nutritious and Delicious!
In addition to all of these health benefits, honey is also a delicious and nutritious food. Honey is a natural source of sugar and contains vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants.
Learn more
At Uren, we're a leading European honey importer, and as members of the British Honey Association, we are regarded as a reliable supplier to the food industry. We use a range of testing by accredited 3rd party laboratories to ensure compliance with standards and customer-specific requirements and of the quality expected.
Using our worldwide Uren offices and approved packers we have the ability to supply a wide range of honey including:
- EU multi-flora honey
- Non-EU multi-flora honey – Multiflora honey is honey from the nectar of many flowers. It has either been blended/mixed up by the bees as they fly from one variety of flower to another or it may have been mixed by the beekeeper.
- Mono-flora country-specific honey (giving unique taste and provenance) – Monofloral honey is a type of honey which has a distinctive flavour or other qualities such as colour, smell or texture due to its being predominantly from the nectar of one plant species.
- Orange Blossom
- Eucalyptus
- Lavender
- Acacia
To learn more about our honey, please contact our team.
