The origin and composition of honey
Honey, often referred to assweet liquid gold, is a food whose manufacturing process depends on our wonderful bees. What is their role ? Why do honeys have different flavors? Discover the origin of this precious treasure of our diet.
Honey: a product of the hive
Harvested from the heart of the hive by a beekeeper, honey is a food produced by bees. These gather the nectar produced by certain flowers and transport it to the hive. Of the worker bees transform it into honey. Thus, the beekeepers come to take the honey, deposited in the cells of the hive. A filtering phase is then necessary before consuming it.
In addition to nectar, bees can also feed on honeydew. This sweet liquid is produced by insects (aphids, scale insects, leafhoppers) located on trees and plants. Honeydew is the source of chestnut, lime, oak, fir and oak honeys.
Honey: a natural product with multiple aromas
Depending on the region where the hives are located and the season, honey takes on several tastes. In France, there are two main varieties.
- The monofloral honeys, produced from a single variety of plants or flowers. Acacia, chestnut, rosemary, lavender or heather honeys are the most common.
- The polyfloral or all-flower honeysmade from several plant species.
Depending on the plant environment, the product color varies from beige to brown, with a more or less pronounced taste. Each variety has specific health properties. There are also seasonal honeys, such as spring honey, linked to the singularities of this period.
Honey: sugar and water
Mainly composed of B vitamins, minerals and trace elements.
These natural elements make it a energy food, highly appreciated by nutritionists, if its consumption is moderate. Used as an alternative to sugar for people with diabetes, honey helps balance blood sugar levels.
The health benefits of honey
Considered a natural remedy to relieve many ailments, honey has incredible nutritional and medicinal properties. The article Health Benefits and Traditional Uses of Honey: a Review published in the Apitherapy Journalthe watch.
The effect of honey on the skin
Suitable for all skin types, honey has a moisturizing and soothing effect on the whole body. Thanks to its antioxidants, it improves the appearance of the skin and accelerates healing. Excellent antiseptic and antibacterial, it can do wonders: wounds, burns, scars or other skin lesions are diminished. Its use is more and more frequent in cosmetics and dermatology. The Limoges University Hospital has also defined the protocols for applying honey to the skin.
Like many antioxidant-rich foods, honey helps fight against the effects of time on the skin and its premature aging. Appearance of wrinkles and fine lines, dryness and loss of elasticity are reduced in favor of healthy skin.
Many beauty products, creams or soaps contain honey in their composition. You can also make a homemade honey mask lime blossom, combining it with other products such as aloe vera or sweet almond oil. These 100% natural ingredients thus preserve the radiance and beauty of the skin.
The anti-inflammatory properties of honey on the body
Among its many virtues, the treasure of the hive is excellent for soothing certain symptoms related to illnesses. Very effective against cough and sore throat, honey is recommended to relieve viral infections, such as a cold or bronchitis. The effectiveness of honey on the upper respiratory tract has also been the subject of a research article in the journal BMJ EBM.
Effective against certain microbes, it is strongly recommended during the winter period in order to strengthen your metabolism and your immune defenses. In addition to a balanced diet and a healthy lifestyle, honey helps prepare the body against viruses and bacteria.
Be careful, however, not to use it for infants. The recommendations of the WHO are formal: whatever the origin of the honey, it is “absolutely not recommended to give honey to children less than a year”.
A preserved digestive system
Honey is a remarkable ally for theimproved digestive comfort. By acting as a prebiotic, like bananas, it helps preserve the intestinal flora. It also protects it from bacterial infections. Transit is improved thanks to this natural laxative.
Feel the benefits on your digestive system by taking a small amount of honey in the morning on an empty stomach. Opt instead for acacia, rosemary or thyme honey, known for their effectiveness on the stomach and intestines.
Quality sleep thanks to the relaxing virtues of honey
The consumption of honey acts on stress and anxiety, often responsible for sleep disorders. A few hours before sleeping, take advantage of its benefits by diluting a spoonful of honey instead of sugar in your herbal tea. Thanks to the melatonin released by the brain, your nights will be soothed and you will find arestorative sleep. Prefer orange blossom, lime or lavender honeys for their sedative properties.
Honey and its energizing properties
By boosting energy through sugar, honey is one of the most popular foods in sports nutrition. Glucose and fructose are easily assimilated by the human body. They do not need to be digested before absorption, the effect is immediate! Enough to naturally improve athletic performance.
A daily consumption of honey prevents fatigue and boosts your energy. Rich in vitamins, many minerals and trace elements, it allows you to stay in shape for the day in a natural way. Choose chestnut, fir or rapeseed honey for better results.
Honey to boost memory and the brain
As we have seen, gold from the hive is excellent in terms of energy, which makes it a remarkable natural nutritional source. Constantly solicited, memory is an essential part of our brain. In addition to a healthy lifestyle, the beneficial properties of honey help to boost memory.
How to consume honey every day?
Honey is a natural and sweet ingredient whose beneficial effects have been widely proven. How to introduce honey into your daily diet and in what form?
How much honey to eat each day?
A 100 gram jar of honey contains 300 calories. Even if its glycemic index is lower than sugar, a small amount is still sufficient to benefit from its beneficial effects. If you are healthy, you can eat a teaspoon of honey per day, or 10 to 12 grams. Incorporated into your hot drinks or your culinary preparations, its temperature must not exceed 35°C, at the risk of losing its nutritional properties.
Despite all the virtues of honey, it is however necessary to be vigilant in its consumption and not to abuse it, in view of its caloric value. If you’re on a sugar-free diet, your nutritionist can help you balance the doses, while still keeping that sweet treat in your life.
How to introduce honey into your daily diet?
Several options are available to you for eat honey everyday. Its taste being more pronounced than sugar, cooking using this natural ingredient will spice up your plates. As an accompaniment, in a sauce or on toast, how to use this gourmet and sweet food?
- Introduce a spoon of honey in a hot drink: herbal tea, tea or hot milk.
- Replace sugar with honey in pastries or yogurts.
- Flavor savory dishes with a touch of honey, combining it with soy sauce. Perfect for lovers of sweet and savory dishes and Asian cuisine!
- Using honey in your marinades will intensify the flavor of meats.
Eating honey on a daily basis means taking care of your health while having fun. This 100% natural hive product offersexcellent therapeutic virtues and its beneficial effects on certain diseases are recognized. By consuming it in moderation, introduce it into your daily diet and into your beauty routine!
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