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Scientists claim that honey is not only a sweet, sweet natural substance, but it also has many health benefits, from lowering cholesterol to healing wounds.
And many scientific studies have researched the benefits of honey and proven its effectiveness on public health. Here are four scientific benefits of honey and how to choose the best types.
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1. Honey has antioxidant properties
Antioxidants fight free radicals in the body. Free radicals are chemicals produced by bodily processes such as food metabolism or by external sources such as pollution. In large amounts, free radicals can destroy genetic material and cells, which can increase the risk of cancer and cardiovascular disease.
Honey contains a variety of antioxidants including: glucose oxidase, ascorbic acid, which is a form of vitamin C, phenolic acids, and flavonoids.
2. Honey lowers cholesterol
Another benefit of honey is that it can lower cholesterol levels, especially low density lipoprotein (LDL) levels, which is the “bad” type of cholesterol.
High levels of low density lipoprotein (LDL) can increase the risk of:
Angina pectoris (chest pain)
Heart disease
– heart attack
– Apoplexy
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In a small 2013 study in overweight or obese people, participants who consumed 70g of natural honey per day for up to 30 days showed a 5.8% decrease in LDL cholesterol compared to those who had consumed 70 g of sucrose, a form of sugar.
Patients who consumed honey also saw an 11% decrease in triglycerin, the most common type of body fat.
3. Honey calms coughs
Studies have shown that honey soothes coughs with its anti-inflammatory properties, says Divya El Silvakumar, MD, MD, dietitian of Maryland.
A 2012 study looked at the effect of honey on children aged one to five with a nighttime cough. Participants used 10 mg of eucalyptus honey, citrus honey, or a placebo before bed. The results revealed a significant improvement in coughing in children who consumed honey.
However, honey should not be given to children under one year of age as it can lead to food poisoning, a potentially fatal illness.
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4. Honey promotes wound healing
“The antibacterial properties of honey can help prevent infections and boost the immune system to promote healing,” says Silvakumar. Topical application of honey is known to treat conditions such as:
Burns and injuries
External wounds
Tailbone fistula, which is a hole that occurs in the skin above the buttocks
Lacerations
Choose the right type of honey
While there are several types of honey, one is not necessarily better than the other for topical application or oral administration.
However, it is best for your health to choose raw, unprocessed honey which can be purchased at health food stores and vitamin stores.
“It’s always best to try to use raw, organic honey with no preservatives, added sugar or any other type of additive,” says Silvakumar. This is because processing honey can remove some of the beneficial nutrients and antioxidants.
Source: Business Insider
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