What Is Honey?
Honey is food made by bees for bees, but many people also enjoy it. Humans have prized honey for its sweet taste for thousands of years. Some researchers say honey is more than a sweetener. It may also have health benefits, though there is little evidence for some of its medicinal uses.
Raw honey comes straight from a beehive. Some honey producers pass the substance through a coarse filter to remove foreign matter, but it remains unprocessed food. Most of the honey sold in stores goes through a heating process to make it less sticky and easier to filter.
High temperatures pasteurize honey and destroy yeast cells in it that can cause unwanted fermentation.
Raw Honey vs. Processed Honey
Honey can also be harvested and processed in different ways.
Raw honey. The U.S. government has no official definition of raw honey. But the National Honey Board says it’s generally considered to be honey that has not been heated during processing. Some may not be filtered. Raw honey is safe to eat, though children under 1 year should avoid all honeys.
Processed honey. Places that make honey usually process, or pasteurize, it before they sell it. This means that they heat it at a high temperature to kill yeast cells. But even when it’s processed, honey still retains its nutrients and antioxidants.
Filtered Honey vs. Unfiltered Honey
Honey can come in filtered or unfiltered versions:
Filtered honey. All or most of the small particles, air bubbles, pollen grains, comb, and other things have been taken out.
Unfiltered honey. This honey might still have some fine particles or other small pieces inside the honey itself.
Crystallized Honey
All honey can crystallize. Types of honey that are higher in glucose are more likely to crystallize than others. Some types crystallize very slowly such as tupelo honey and sourwood honey.
Crystallized honey is safe to eat. You can use it as a spread or in hot drinks.
If your honey has crystallized, put the bottle in a bowl of hot (not boiling) water to soften. Don’t microwave honey, as that can make it taste unpleasant.
Honey Benefits
Although it is not a rich source of nutrients, some people regard honey as a health food. There is little or no evidence for many common claims about honey, but research supports some of the following:
Anti-inflammatory effects
Honey contains antioxidants, which can protect the body from inflammation. Inflammation can lead to a variety of health issues, including heart disease, cancer, and autoimmune disorders. One study showed that antioxidants in buckwheat honey were detectable in blood plasma, showing that eating honey could enhance antioxidant activity in the body.
Cough relief for children
Health authorities do not recommend over-the-counter medications to treat young children’s coughs and colds. Some parents may look for natural remedies. In one study, 2 teaspoons of honey relieved children’s nighttime cough and allowed them to sleep. However, doctors do not recommend this practice for children less than a year old.
Minerals and compounds
Honey has about 31 different minerals like phosphorus, magnesium, and potassium. It also has several important amino acids (the building blocks of protein).
Antioxidants
Honey is high in polyphenols and flavonoids, which act as antioxidants. That means they help protect your body against some types of cell damage.
Wound and burn healing
For many years, honey has been used to treat burns and wounds. Its antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties may ease burns and improve wound healing.
Cholesterol
Some research has indicated that honey may help reduce cholesterol. In one study, levels of total cholesterol, LDL (or “bad”) cholesterol, and triglycerides went down in people who had 70 grams of honey (about 2.5 ounces) each day for 4 weeks. Their HDL (or “good”) cholesterol also increased.
Credit: webmd
