Honey is a very popular sweetener, and for many people, it's their one and only choice for sweetening. But what's the deal with honey? Why do we love it so much, and how does it compare to other types of sugars?
Honey has been used by humans for over 3,000 years as food — not just as a sweetener! It was first discovered in China but quickly spread to other regions of the world. The Egyptians were one of the earliest people to use honey extensively in cooking.
Honey is the most popular sweetener in the world and is made by bees creating honey from flower nectar. It's a natural preservative, making it a key ingredient in many foods and drinks. For centuries, honey has been referenced more than 2,000 times in ancient texts and used for medicinal purposes.
The very first mention of honey was written down on clay tablets dating back to 2600 B.C., which tells of a deity who ships jars of "honey" from Lebanon to Egypt to trade as well as for medicine.
5 Health benefits of honey
Honey has a plethora of health benefits which not many people are aware of. Let’s take a look at what makes honey such a natural, beneficial sweetener.
1. Honey may contain natural antibiotics
Honey has been used for centuries to soothe sore throats and other minor infections. Recent research in Australia shows that honey could be effective due to its anti-bacterial acidity, also known as pH levels.
2. Honey has antioxidants
Antioxidants have received a lot of attention in recent years and it’s no surprise that honey is full of them. Antioxidants are vital to our bodies as they neutralize free radicals, which can damage cells and lead to disease if left alone.
Honey also contains phenolic acids and flavonoids, which are useful in the prevention of cancer and heart disease. This is because phenolic acids help prevent blood clotting, which increases the likelihood of a heart attack or stroke.
3. Honey boosts energy levels
Some studies have shown that honey is as effective as glucose at boosting energy levels. This could be particularly helpful for those who are diabetic as glucose could potentially have the opposite effect on blood sugar levels.
4. Honey can help prevent diarrhea and nausea
Because of its anti-bacterial abilities, honey has been shown to reduce the duration of both diarrhea and nausea.
5. Honey may contain antioxidants and anti-inflammatory properties
Clinical trials in which people were given special kinds of honey for a period of time were found to have lower levels of C-reactive protein (CRP.) CRP is an inflammatory marker related to heart disease, Alzheimer’s disease, and many other chronic conditions.
Conclusion
Honey is a good way to help clear up respiratory problems like asthma and allergies due to its antihistamine properties. It can be used as a natural sweetener for cooking or baking instead of sugar, but you should only use raw honey if you plan on using it in this way because cooking diminishes its benefits.
Even in the modern age, honey is one of the most important organic products in every home. From baking products to casual use in the kitchen, there are countless applications of honey.
