Rich and sweet, this golden nectar was a firm point of the Mediterranean diet for centuries. But is honey healthy? Continue reading to learn everything about the benefits of honey and our favorite ways to use it, from healthy desserts to chicken marinades and beyond!
Long before it became a dietitian specialized in the Mediterranean diet, I liked to use honey, both in peanut butter and in honey sandwiches, or mixing it in hot tea and Greek yogurt as an adult. But did you know that the benefits of honey are much deeper than its delicious taste?
Since the time of ancient Egypt, honey has been a firm point in the Mediterranean diet. It has been evaluated not only as a natural sweetener but also for its potential therapeutic properties, including the healing of wounds! Today honey remains an essential part of Mediterranean cuisine, where it is produced throughout the region and used in everything, from medications and marinades to baking products.
If you are working on a diet more inspired by the Mediterranean, replace, rather than limit your bases of the pantry with healthy ingredients such as honey and extra virgin olive oil has been shown To make the Mediterranean diet more pleasant and sustainable. Continue reading to learn another 6 surprising benefits for the health of honey.
Summary
Nutritional facts to honey
Honey is naturally composed of glucose and fructose, providing a rapid source of energy for the body. It also contains small quantities of vitamins, minerals and antioxidants, making it a more nourishing alternative to refined sugar. According to the USDA1 tablespoon (or 21 grams) of honey has the following:
- Calories: 64
- Carbohydrates: 17.3 grams
- Potassium: 10.9 milligrams
- Soccer: 1.26 milligrams
6 benefits for key health of honey
In the Mediterranean diet, balance is the key. Honey can be a delicious and natural sweetener if consumed in moderation. Incorporate into an all -round diet allows you to enjoy its benefits avoiding the negative aspects of excessive sugar intake.
- Rich in a variety of nutrients: Honey is a delicious source of essential vitamins and minerals, including calcium, magnesium and potassium, together with small quantities of riboflavin, niacin and vitamin B6. These nutrients support brain function, energy production and heart health. In addition, honey is rich in antioxidants such as flavonoids and phenolic acids, which help protect the body from oxidative stress.
- Rich in antioxidants and anti -inflammatory properties: Honey is rich in powerful antioxidants that help protect your body from damage caused by free radicals. Among these antioxidants there are flavonoids and phenolic acids, which play a crucial role in reducing inflammation and promotion of general health. Raw honey has higher antioxidant levels.
- Supports a healthier balance for blood sugar: Honey has a lower glycemic index than refined sugar, which means that it can cause a slower increase in blood sugar levels. Since it contains antioxidants, it can help protect from metabolic syndrome. Metabolic syndrome is a group of conditions that put you at risk of cardiovascular diseases, stroke and type 2 diabetes. Even with these benefits, it is still essential to consume honey in moderation.
- It can improve heart health: The composition rich in honey antioxidants can benefit from heart health by reducing inflammation, improving the function of blood vessels and lowering oxidative stress. Also, another study He found that honey consumption reduced total cholesterol, the increase in HDL cholesterol (“good”) and lowered cholesterol and LDL triglycerides (“bad”).
- Supports digestive health: Honey has been used for centuries to support digestive health and treat various conditions. Modern research continues to support their effectiveness. Studies show that honey can help to shorten bacterial diarrhea in children and help recovery in patients with critically tube feeding. It has also been discovered that it improves recovery from viral gastroenteritis and can help protect the stomach.
- It soes sore throat and cough: The cough is common in children with upper respiratory infections and can interrupt sleep for both children and parents. Research suggests that honey can be more effective in alleviating the symptoms of cough compared to the suppressors of over -the -counter cough without the possible side effects. However, honey should never be given to children under 1 year of 1 year due to the risk of botulism. Always consult your doctor before using honey as a remedy, especially if you are considering an alternative to drugs.
Benefits of raw honey
Since raw honey maintains bees pollen, it maintains a variety of vitamins, minerals, enzymes and antioxidants, making it the most nourishing choice. Raw honey is in its purest form: transmitted directly by the hive, tense and bottled without pasteurization. Standard honey undergoes processing and filtration to prolong its conservation duration, which removes bees pollen and many of its natural nutrients. You can often find raw honey in the farmers’ markets, onlineor in special grocery stores.
If you are looking for the richest honey in nutrients, opt for “raw” or “uns filtered” honey. Having said that, just because a honey is filtered does not mean that it is of low quality. You can find tasty filtered honey; Just make sure to check the label to confirm that there are no added sugars or sweeteners.
How to enjoy honey on the Mediterranean diet
Honey is more than a simple natural sweetener: it is a firm point that improves the health of the Mediterranean diet. When it is appreciated in moderation, it offers a more nutritious alternative to refined sugar. There are countless ways to incorporate honey into your meals:
Local honey for allergies: does it work?
I get this question a lot. Even if there is a anecdotal support For the use of local honey for the treatment of allergies, further research is needed to support this theory. And, although honey may not take care of allergies, its relaxing properties can help relieve symptoms.
How to keep honey
To keep honey fresh and keep its quality, store in a well sealed container at room temperature, far from direct sunlight and heat. A dipper honey cover will simplify your life! Or if you are looking for a jar and all-in-one metro lid, This will make the trick. The use of a subway jar with a safe lid holds honey away from the insects who also love the sweet surprise.
And keep in mind, while honey can naturally crystallize over time, you can restore its smooth consistency by gently heating the jar in hot water. Generally, honey is not ruined. However, if you see mold or if it has an “harsh” smell, it is probably the time to replace honey.
Greek alpha honey
Natural raw, uns filic honey, 100% from the Greek island of Crete.
Explore the versatility of honey in these recipes!
