Craving something sweet? How about some pure raw honey? 

As someone who has a sweet tooth, I have come to learn to have a healthy balance. I have also learned of honey's health benefits, especially pure raw honey, while enjoying its sweet aspect. 

Excessive consumption of processed sugar has been a growing concern as it has led to various health issues, including obesity, cardiovascular risks, diabetes, and decreased immune function. Many who are more health-conscious make an effort to eliminate refined sugar or reduce their refined sugar intake by substituting it with natural, nutritious sweeteners, such as raw honey.

What is Honey?

            Honey is a sweet natural fluid made by honeybees. The scientific name for honeybees is Apis Mellifera. Honeybees collect nectar from nectar-producing flowers and add enzymes to it. Water evaporates from the nectar and ripens to become honey. [1]

Honey has been used as traditional medicine in various holistic ways to help balance the body, playing a critical role in health and healing. Honey is regularly used for therapeutic and nutritional purposes – both internally and externally. [1]

Beekeeping

Did you know humans have been tending bees for nearly 2500 years? Beekeepers help keep bees safe and healthy, and interestingly, help bees move during the year to find nectar. Beekeepers use special equipment to move them to locations where they can pollinate flowers and crops [2].

It is common to believe that humans are stealing from bees. But it is essential to know that bees tend to make more honey than they need, so harvesting honey helps bees. Since bees don’t have enough honey during the winter, beekeepers provide them with supplements and extra food. So, when sustainably retrieving honey, be sure to buy from local beekeepers or companies that practice humane treatment of bees.

            

Health Benefits

Believe it or not, honey contains vitamins B2, B4, B5, B6, B11, and vitamin C. Let’s not forget the essential minerals iron, calcium, zinc, potassium, magnesium, phosphorus, manganese, selenium, and chromium that play an important role in our body [1]. 

Honey has shown to be beneficial and provide health benefits. It aids in vision, lowers toxicity, helps with nausea and vomiting, and diarrhea. Honey is used as a remedy in gastrointestinal disorders because it is anti-inflammatory and has antioxidant activity. Honey also has wound healing activity, antidiabetic properties, and antimicrobial activity. [3]

Many people have reported almost immediate relief from their allergy symptoms soon after the consumption of raw honey. Others have seen benefits when using honey for colds, the flu, nasal congestion, sinusitis, sore throat, cough, and fatigue. [1, 3]

Is It Safe?

            Honey is a safe product to use. While honey provides an array of health benefits, it is important to consume in moderation. There are a few things to keep in mind:

1. High in calories and sugar: 1 tablespoon is about 64 calories, 17 grams of carbohydrate, and 17 grams of sugar [4]. It can easily add calories to a meal, and if trying to lose weight, be mindful of how much honey you are using! Remember, although honey may help with insulin regulation, high consumption of any sugar can lead to irregularities [5]. 
2. Bacterial Contamination: Honey can have yeasts, molds, and spore-forming bacteria that can be a potential health hazard. Honey is low in water and high in sugar, which allows for microorganisms to grow. Although rare, the bacteria Clostridium botulinum has been found to cause botulism. This is not typically a problem for adults that have a matured digestive system; therefore, honey should not be given to infants [6].
3. Pesticide Contamination: There is a global concern about using pesticides in beekeeping. There have been over 150 different pesticides that have been found in colony samples. The use of uncontrolled pesticide can be a health hazard and can result in health problems such as skin irritation or even congenital disabilities. Therefore, buying from local beekeepers or reputable companies is essential when looking for pesticide-free honey [6].

Pure Raw Honey:

GT Bees is family owned business, home to a local beekeeper who learned the tricks of the trade from his father. They bring pure, raw and delicious honey to your table. Some favorites include the orange blossom honey, floral mix honey and wildflower honey. 

For more information, visit their website: www.gtbeeshoney.com

References:

1.         Arawwawala, M. and S. Hewageegana, Health Benefits and Traditional Uses of Honey: A Review.Journal of Apitherapy, 2017. 2: p. 9.

2.         Beekeeping. Available from: https://www.honeybeediscoverycenter.org/fun-facts.

3.         Sampath Jumar, K.P., et al. Medicinal uses and health benefits of Honey: An Overview. Journal of Chemical and Pharmaceutical Research, 2010.

4.         USDA. Food Composition Database: Honey. 2020.

5.         Bobiş, O., D.S. Dezmirean, and A.R. Moise, Honey and Diabetes: The Importance of Natural Simple Sugars in Diet for Preventing and Treating Different Type of Diabetes. Oxidative medicine and cellular longevity, 2018. 2018: p. 4757893-4757893.

6.         MAHMOUDI, R., A. GHOJOGHI, and P. GHAJARBEYGI, HONEY SAFETY HAZARDS AND PUBLIC HEALTH. JOURNAL OF CHEMICAL HEALTH RISKS (JCHR), 2016. 6(4): p. -.