Bee honey: 10 benefits and properties of this food

The properties and benefits of honey have been known and used by different societies over time. Currently this substance constitutes one of the most important primary natural sweeteners, whose benefits range from a palatable taste to the possible prevention and treatment of diseases.

We'll see now what is and how is honey obtained, and its main properties and benefits.

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What is honey and how is it obtained?

Natural honey is produced naturally by the Apis mallifera and different subspecies of bees. The latter obtain the honey by the nectar of the flowers and also by secretions released by the bees themselves.

Broadly speaking, honey is produced through a process of combining substances that bees transport, concentrate and store in honeycombs (a set of wax cells that they build to deposit the honey). Later, the honey is extracted through a process that includes unloading, lifting, uncapping and finally separating the honey from the wax. All this occurs in a previously constituted space, and with specialized machinery and equipment.

Bee honey has a complex and nutrient-rich composition, which have been used for human consumption since the most ancient societies.

The largest proportion of these nutrients is occupied by carbohydrates, such as fructose and glucose. It also contains enzymes, antioxidants, amino acids, vitamins, minerals and organic acids, which make honey have many properties. In fact it has not only been used as food but as an important therapeutic resource.

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10 properties and benefits of honey from the bee

As we have seen, honey is one of the natural resources that has been used the most by human beings. Already from the classic medical texts, honey appears as an important resource to treat wounds, pain and illness.

Currently, beekeeping (the breeding of bees to take advantage of their products) is one of the most important economic activities in different countries. The latter is due to the richness of its nutritional properties and its healing potential. We will see below which are the most important properties of honey.

1. Antibacterial potential

Due to the inhibins (hydrogen peroxide, flavonoids and phenolic acids) present in honey, this substance has important bactericidal properties. These properties are also attributed to the presence of glucose oxidase. For example, one of the antibacterial potentials in honey may be important for treating acne and for exfoliating the skin.

2. Natural source of antioxidants

Antioxidants are natural substances that prevent the formation of oxides, which in turn slows down cell breakdown. In this sense, the periodic consumption of honey can be an important dietary supplement in the prevention of heart diseases, the immune system and inflammatory processes.

3. Primary sweetener

Before the extraction of cane sugar and other roots, tubers and foods became popular, honey was the only natural primary sweetener. Due to its components, such as small peptides, flavonoids and enzymes, honey serves as a sweetener, but not only that. It is a protective agent that, when mixed with other foods, can enhance both the taste and its beneficial properties for health. In this same sense, honey serves as a natural substitute for refined sugar.

4. Contains protein

Honey contains approximately enzymes and amino acids. These originate from the activity of the bees themselves, and sometimes in the nectar of the plant. Proteins play a fundamental role in the growth and synthesis of different tissues. In turn, amino acids are the basis for the production of proteins

5. Hydrating potential

The high concentration of moisture in honey not only influences its viscosity, weight, flavor and color, but can also be essential to moisturize different parts of our body. For the same reason, it is usually used as a moisturizer for the hair and scalp. In this it is important that the honey is not exposed to high temperatures, since its properties can be lost.

6. Favors digestion

When combined with other natural products, such as lemon juice or cinnamon, honey can promote the activity of the digestive system. This means that helps metabolize food, preventing or relieving stomach indigestion. It has also been credited with alleviating symptoms of constipation and a feeling of heaviness after heavy meals. For this reason, it has also been attributed the property of preventing reflux and helping to relieve diarrhea.

7. Treatment of wounds and burns

Since ancient Egyptian, Chinese and Roman societies, honey was used to treat various wounds. In combination with other herbs, a honey ointment was beneficial for sunburns, wound infections, and blemishes on the face. For the same antiseptic properties are attributed, that is, it reduces the possibility of infections when applied to living tissue in some wounds.

8. Relieves cough and sore throat

Again when combined with other substances such as lime or lemon juice, honey soothes a sore throat, even in small doses. Due to the antibacterial properties, they could also help fight some infections of this type. Likewise the honey is recognized as a natural cough remedy (However, it is recommended not to apply in children under one year of age).

9. Anti-inflammatory activity

The direct application of honey to inflamed muscles has been used as a powerful anti-inflammatory, that is, it has been attributed the property of reduce muscle swelling. In turn, this relieves pain caused by the inflammation itself.

10. Other properties

Ayurvedic medicine, traditional in India, has attributed to honey revitalizing properties, which in turn relieve weakness or excessive fatigue. It has also been attributed a relaxing property that promotes sleep and some symptoms of stress. It is also used for tooth pain, especially in children older than one year, in the treatment of asthma and hiccups. It is also used to moderate blood pressure levels.

Bibliographic references:

• Armando, J., Mondragón, P., Rodríguez, R., Reséndiz, J.A. and Rosas, P. (2010). Honey and its importance. Source Magazine, 2 (4): 11-18.
• Oslen, N. (2018). Everything you need to know about honey. Medical News Today. Retrieved October 16, 2018. Available in https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/264667.php.