Honey is used everywhere in everything : in our cooking and baking, in skincare products, in-house cleaning items and even in medicine. You know it has to be good for you, but do you know why? What does increasing your consumption or your use of honey can do for you and why is it so beneficial? I believe that honey is essential to our well-being and here are 5 reasons why you need more honey in your life :
To strengthen your immune system
You probably have already heard about honey’s healing properties, especially when you get sick with a cold, but did you know it can actually boost your immune system to prevent illnesses? Honey contains polyphenol and just a spoonful a day is enough to increase your blood’s antioxidants levels (which diminishes damage caused by free radicals in your body). Raw honey is also great at killing bacteria because it contains enzymes to help with your digestion, along with essential vitamins and minerals. Research has discovered that honey is particularly effective at fighting E. coli and salmonella, as well as some antibiotics-resistant bacteria. Now that’s enough to convince me!
To have more energy
Let’s talk simple chemistry here : honey contains natural sugars (carbohydrates) and what’s the function of carbs? To provide energy to your body! I’m not saying that you have to replace your beloved coffee with spoonfuls of sugar to get that extra boost in the morning, but add a bit of honey to a glass of warm water every once in a while. Studies have shown that even mild dehydration can make you feel sleepy (remember that water is your body’s main fuel along with food), so don’t forget to drink a lot of water and adding some honey to it!
To make your cold symptoms go away
I am sure your mom or your grandma tried to cure your sore throat with a honey-based concoction when you were a kid. Homemade honey tea, homemade honey cough syrup, homemade honey cough drops, you have had at least one of these before. There is actually truth behind the idea of honey to cure cold symptoms (of course our moms were right, when were they not?). Raw honey is naturally soothing because it coats the throat to reduce coughing (which is usually the culprit of throat irritation). Honey is also antiviral : viruses can’t live in honey because it is extremely acidic. Who knew?
To make your skin beautiful and radiant
Being a natural antioxidant, honey can reduce sun damage and brighten the skin. Just mix it with rose water and use as a cleanser (make sure there are not traces of makeup on your face beforehand), then rinse it off. Hello glowing skin! You can also add a few drops of honey to your regular facial mask to wake up your dull complexion. Honey will also prevent signs of aging by boosting collagen production and make your skin look years younger. Since it’s antimicrobial, honey is also incredibly helpful against acne. What a versatile ingredient!
To make your food taste better
Try switching some common ingredients you use in your everyday recipes with honey so you get all its amazing health benefits on top of delicious taste! Instead of regular butter, make some honey butter (easy peasy : mix 4 parts butter with 1 part honey) and put it on your toast, muffin or pancakes. Add it to your salad dressing or choose honey mustard instead of regular mustard in your cold cut sandwich. It is often possible to substitute honey when a recipe asks for sugar, just make sure to double check the proportions. Possibilities are truly endless with honey in the kitchen!
Honey has been used for its many properties for the past 8000 years and will be for many years to come (if bee conservation efforts are maintained and increased). It has so many proven essential benefits, from illness-fighting to skin preserving, as well as tasting incredibly delicious. I count on you to make a daily effort and increase its presence in your life, you certainly won’t regret it!
I love honey! I had a great aunt who used honey on her bed sores to heal them faster and it worked wonders!
those are really good reasons
Your absolutely right, I fogot how wonderful honey is for me. Time to go get some!
I’ve tried to incorporate honey into my eating, etc…..but I just can’t stand the taste. Am I the only one? lol
I love it, so it’s difficult for me not to like it. It all depends on your taste buds:)
I love honey and enjoy it on a buttered toasted slice of bread – hmm delicious. My granddad used to keep bees and his honey was the best ever! I also use honey often as a sweetener in things like salad dressings.
I love honey, but my favourite is in tea with lemon juice. 🙂
I always keep honey in my cabinet! Love honey in so many things and I need to do the honey in my coffee or water each day… I had forgotten about how it boosts your immune system and this is something I need as I have had health issues over the past 3 yrs so I must make a point of doing this every day!!
I love honey too and substitute it for sugar many times!
I always drink honey tea when I have a cold. Soothing and delicious.
I am not a honey lover,in baking its ok but by its self,no
I love honey, havent bought any in awhile but Im def going to be keeping an eye out for a bottle
I’ve tried to incorporate honey into my eating,but honestly I dont care for the taste
Honey is so much better that processed sugar,and i try to give this to my grandkids but i just cant get past the taste…..
I try to use honey as a sugar substitute whenever I can! And of course soon as I feel sick it’s ginger and honey water that comes to my rescue!
Local honey keeps my all seasonal allergies at bay! It’s amazing!
That is so true! I need to eat more honey throughout the year!