AS SWEET AS HONEY

AS SWEET AS HONEY

 

INTRODUCTION

Honey is man's oldest sweetener.  Honey is a wonderfully rich golden liquid the miraculous product of honey bees.  The fascinating process of making honey begins when the bees feast on flowers, collecting the flower nectar in their mouths.  This nectar then mixes with special enzymes in the bees' saliva, a process that turns it into honey.

Honey comes in a range of colors including white, amber, red, brown and almost black.  Generally, darker honeys have higher antioxidant content than lighter honeys.  The color and flavor depend on the age of the honey and on the source of the nectar.  Light-colored honeys are usually of higher quality than darker honeys.

Propolis, sometimes called "bee glue," is actually a complex mixture of resins and other substances that honeybees use to seal the hive and make it safe from bacteria and other micro-organisms.  Honeybees make propolis by combining plant resins with their own secretions.

Honey is composed primarily of carbohydrates (natural sugars) and water, as well as trace enzymes, minerals, vitamins, and amino acids.  Honey has been used since ancient times both as a food and as a medicine.

 

HEALTH BENEFITS

• As an anti-bacterial, anti-viral, and anti-fungal.
• Possess cancer-preventing and anti-tumor properties.
• An effective alternative treatment for symptomatic relief of nocturnal cough and sleep difficulty.
• May promote better blood sugar control and proper fueling of the liver is central to optimal glucose metabolism during sleep and exercise.
• May improve blood sugar control and insulin sensitivity.
• Reduced weight gain and percentage of body fat, decreased anxiety, better spatial recognition memory, improved HDL cholesterol, improved blood sugar levels, and reduced oxidative damage.
• Boosts immunity.
• As an energy source, and wound healing agent.
• As an antiseptic therapeutic agent for the treatment of ulcers, burns and wounds.
• Daily consumption of honey raises blood levels of protective antioxidant compounds in humans.
• Natural honey caused a significantly lower rise in blood sugar than either dextrose or sucrose.
• For relief of the irritating symptoms, try a spoonful of honey to soothe and coat your throat.

 

HEALING PROPERTIES

Although honey's healing benefits were known to Muslims more than a thousand years ago, scientists are just now beginning to research it's amazing powers.  Honey has been known for its healing properties for thousands of years.  Honey was being used for its antibacterial properties in treating wounds.  Honey also is considered to have a calming effect on the mind and promotes sleep.  Honey also helps indigestion and has sometimes been used to treat cardiovascular disease and respiratory complaints.  A thin coat of honey can be applied on the skin to disinfect and heal minor skin wounds and chapped lips.

Honey contains many minerals and vitamins beneficial to man. However, one of the most important properties seems to be its antibiotic action.  Honey consumption may have a positive effect on factors associated with heart disease risk.  Maybe Winnie the Pooh had the right idea after all!

 

REFERENCES

http://www.whfoods.com/

http://www.honey.com/nhb/benefits/natural-cough-suppressant/

http://honeyo.com/honeyhealing

http://islamic-world.net/sister

http://www.everythingabout.net/articles/biology/animals/arthropods/insects/bees/honey/