Honey: properties and benefits of the "food of the gods"
More and more often we choose certain foods not only for their flavor and for the recipes in which we can use them in the kitchen. In fact, several foods are real allies for our health and for the well-being of our body. Thanks to their healing and nourishing properties, they help us to counteract seasonal or chronic ailments and symptoms. For example, honey is part of that whole series of super food that every winter are functional to fight and prevent colds. Here is a short video to find out:
In this regard, today we will see in detail all the properties and benefits of honey, the natural product of bees that boasts a long history in various cultures.
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The origin of honey
As we have already mentioned, honey is a completely natural substance. It is produced by honey bees from the nectar of plant flowers. These bees, in fact, are able to transform the nectar collected into the food that then appears on our tables.
Along with its healing and medicinal properties, honey was known as early as the 9th century BC. Evidence of it can be found in many cultures, from Sumerian to Jewish, from Egyptian to Greek and Roman. Not surprisingly, Hippocrates and Aristotle wrote in their texts how honey was a powerful drug against various pathologies. Furthermore, it was known to the Greek and Latin people as "the food of the gods", thanks to its sweet and sugary flavor.
Properties and nutritional values
From the point of view of nutritional values, about 304 calories are contained in 100 grams of honey. This product consists mostly of carbohydrates, among which fructose and glucose stand out which give it the energizing effect. These two monosaccharides are natural sweeteners and make honey frequently chosen as a substitute for refined and industrial sugar.
In addition, there are other nutrients such as proteins, vitamins and minerals. The vitamins A, B1 and C present have powerful antioxidant properties, while the organic acids are useful for their antibacterial action. Finally, honey contains a good level of phenolic compounds and flavonoids that act on the immune system by strengthening it.
The various types of honey
The properties of this natural product can change slightly depending on the variety you choose. The different species of honey depend on the plants and flowers from which the bees extract the nectar: thus, each of these will have a characteristic flavor and appearance.
One of the favorite types of honey is undoubtedly that of acacia, famous not only for its light color but also for its beneficial action on the digestive system. Then follows the chestnut honey, with dark shades and an even more solid consistency, which is a strong natural anti-inflammatory thanks to the vitamin C of which it is rich.
Equally appreciated are forest honey and sunflower honey as a natural remedy against flu symptoms, lime honeys to counteract menstrual pain and promote digestion and orange honey to heal wounds.
Obviously, the consumption and use of raw honey, that is little industrially treated, should always be preferred, so that it can keep most of its properties and intrinsic benefits.
The health benefits of honey
We have noticed that some types of honey are more effective against certain symptoms and ailments than others. However, there are general health benefits that have made this natural substance famous as early as antiquity.
- An ally for the immune system
Without having particular pathologies, taking a small but regular dose of honey a day can help the well-being of our body. All this because some sugars present in this food stimulate our immune system in a positive way, increasing its defenses. In addition, the flavonoids it is rich in give it anti-inflammatory properties that are effective for many problems.
- A powerful antioxidant
The vitamins it contains, especially vitamin A and vitamin C, make the natural product of bees an excellent antioxidant. Antioxidants perform the function of counteracting free radicals that cause cell aging and that can be the cause of disease. You can understand the level of antioxidants in honey from its color. Dark varieties, such as chestnut, millefiori and honeydew, contain a higher quantity than the clear ones.
- A natural cough remedy
Many studies have shown that the action of honey is particularly effective during the night. These researches were based on its use in the treatment of coughs because this natural product has always been famous for its soothing properties. In fact, the sweet substance naturally induces the reflex of salivation and has a sedative effect on the larynx and pharynx, which explains why honey is officially recognized as an excellent remedy for respiratory disorders such as coughs, sore throats and colds.
- An energizing sweetener
As already mentioned, honey is often chosen as a sweetener for drinks such as tea or herbal teas instead of the traditional sugar, especially in the case of sportsmen. Honey is an "excellent source of carbohydrates - and therefore of energy - which are useful to athletes both before and after training, much more than sugar. This is because the glucose contained in honey is burned immediately, while fructose remains available longer. for a long time in the organism.
- Effective on the intestine
Always fructose and other substances of which it is rich, make this food useful in the treatment of symptoms and infections affecting the digestive system and especially the gastro-intestinal tract. For example, it relieves ailments such as diarrhea, intestinal ulcers and gastritis. The most effective in this sense are acacia honey, linden honey and wildflower honey.
- Helps heal wounds
The anti-inflammatory properties of honey are also useful in cases of external use. In fact, it has been noted that applying a small dose of product to a wound accelerates the healing and healing process of the skin.
The cosmetic benefits of honey
The result of the bees processing the nectar of the flowers is not useful only for the "internal" health of our organism, but also on the external well-being of the body. This causes honey to be used frequently as a beauty ally for skin and hair.
As for the skin, the first virtue of honey is anti-aging. The antioxidants it contains make it a natural remedy to counteract free radicals, which cause and accelerate the aging of the epidermis, and the appearance of wrinkles. Furthermore, choosing honey for a homemade treatment immediately results in greater hydration and shine of the part that benefited from the application. In fact, it nourishes the dermis in depth, fighting dryness from the inside.
Furthermore, we have seen how honey is excellent in the case of wounds and burns, thanks to its regenerating properties, but it is also effective for those suffering from oily skin. Thanks to its antibacterial and anti-inflammatory principles, it prevents and fights the external agents responsible for acne and blackheads.
Finally, honey can also be used to improve the well-being of the hair, especially when you have dull and damaged hair. Its texture and nourishing action moisturize the lengths, restoring them a healthy and strong appearance.
Honey-based beauty recipes
To take advantage of the cosmetic benefits of honey, you can make many easy recipes even at home, choosing only a few natural products. We suggest two treatments based on the "food of the gods" for the care of oily skin and that of irritated scalp.
Let's start by looking at the facial treatment in detail that fights impurities such as acne, blackheads and excess sebum. The necessary ingredients are:
- 2 tablespoons of honey
- 1 tablespoon of almond oil
Once you have carefully mixed the two types of oil, spread the lotion on your face with the help of a brush. Keep it in place for at least 30 minutes and then rinse it carefully with lukewarm water, gently helping yourself with a cotton pad.
As for the hair pack, it aims to restore the balance and health of the scalp. Since honey is a natural antibacterial, it defends the skin from irritation and dandruff. The ingredients you will need are:
- 2 tablespoons of honey
- 2 tablespoons of distilled water
Just mix water and honey and keep the application on for about two hours. After that, rinse everything with the help, if necessary, of a little apple cider vinegar diluted in water.
How to consume honey in the kitchen
It goes without saying that honey is well known as an ingredient in many cooking recipes, from the most traditional to the most original ones introduced that come from other cultures.In Italy, this product is frequently used in the making of sweets and desserts, such as biscuits, muffins, cakes and plumcakes. However, today it is chosen to give an innovative and surprising touch to savory dishes. For example, honey can be combined with chicken cooking or it is perfect for creaming risotto during the winter season, perhaps with the addition of cheese and nuts.
Contraindications
Honey has no particular side effects or contraindications. Obviously, we must not forget its high number of calories and sugars which suggests a controlled consumption, but its caloric rate is still lower than that of classic refined sugar. In general, it is not recommended for use only for those suffering from diabetes or those who are following a strict low-calorie and slimming diet.
For more information on honey, consult the Humanitas website.
