What Are The Health Benefits Of Raw Honey?

You've probably heard that raw honey is good for you and that you should eat more of it. This is true — but why? Raw honey is honey that has not been heat-processed. As a result, it contains pollen granules, enzymes from the bees, and all sorts of other nutrients that are denatured by heat. Here are some of the health benefits you can look forward to if you enjoy raw honey on a regular basis.

Anti-Inflammatory Effects

Inflammation plays a role in so many different disease states. It's a core symptom of arthritis. It's involved in the progression of atherosclerosis and heart disease. The list goes on and on, but the point is that relieving inflammation throughout the body is great for your overall health. Raw honey can help with that. The antioxidants contained in the honey — specific ones known as polyphenols — are known to have anti-inflammatory effects. Enjoy raw honey often, and you'll lower your risk of all sorts of different diseases.

Anti-Bacterial Effects

You may have heard of people using honey to treat wounds. You can certainly use your honey that way, but even if you don't, the honey's anti-bacterial effects will be of benefit to you. Honey is full of compounds that help prevent bacteria from replicating. Therefore, eating raw honey more often can help protect you against infections. Or, if you have an infection, taking honey more often can help your body clear out the infection faster. (Never use honey in place of medications your doctor recommends — use it in addition to them.)

Better Digestion

So many digestive ailments have to do with bacterial imbalances. Ulcers, for example, can be caused by an overgrowth of certain bacteria in the stomach. Honey can help re-balance these bacteria for healthy digestion. It also helps soothe the stomach and intestinal lining, which can help prevent bouts of diarrhea, constipation, and the like. If you really want to help your digestive tract, try putting your raw honey on some whole-grain bread or toast each day. The extra fiber in the bread, combined with the beneficial compounds in the raw honey, will have your intestines feeling their best.

Raw honey is fairly easy to find and well worth keeping in your cupboard. If you make sure to eat some on a regular basis, you can look forward to the health benefits explained above, along with many others.


Share