Maybe it’s because I had a virus or maybe it’s just the colder weather, but these past few weeks I have really been enjoying the smooth silky texture and taste of honey. Yes, it’s sugar. And yes, I try to avoid sugar. Honey is essentially pure sugar, with no fat and only trace amounts of protein and fiber. It contains small amounts of some nutrients, but most people typically don’t consume enough honey for it to be a significant dietary source of vitamins and minerals. Recently, a friend of mine encouraged me to buy “manuka honey” which is expensive but worth every last drop. Manuka honey is a type of honey native to New Zealand and it’s produced by bees who pollinate the flower commonly known as the Manuka bush. So, why am I promoting this?
Honey has some good things to offer. Read on to find out what I am talking about.
Honey is rich in health-promoting plant compounds known as polyphenols. And honey has healing properties that I don’t want to avoid.
Did you know that high quality honey — which is minimally processed, unheated, and fresh — contains many important plant compounds and antioxidants. Darker varieties tend to offer more antioxidants than lighter varieties. As such, many of honey’s health benefits are attributed to its antioxidant content.
Honey may offer some protective effects related to blood sugar management, but it should still be consumed in moderation, especially by people with type 2 diabetes.
Honey has been linked to beneficial effects on heart health, including reduced blood pressure and blood fat levels. But, more studies need to be done.
Honey can help prevent coughing when you have a cold. For children over 1 year of age, honey can act as a natural and safe cough suppressant. Some studies show that it’s even more effective than certain cough medicines.
Honey is easy to add to your diet. To get a small boost of antioxidants from honey, you can use it any way that you’d typically use sugar. It’s excellent for sweetening plain yogurt, coffee, or tea. You can also use it in cooking and baking. I have started to use it to make my salad dressings.
So, while I encourage you to use honey, as always, use in moderation. And for more information feel free to contact me at Rachel@livehealthynyc.com
Click here for an easy salad dressing using honey.