Honey for health: benefits and harms, characteristics and proper consumption

Honey is not only a delicious treat, but also a healthy product. However, behind its sweet taste and pleasant aroma lie not only benefits, but also potential dangers. Let's take a look at the benefits and harms of honey. How to consume it properly?

The benefits of honey

Honey contains antioxidants and antibacterial substances. They help fight infections and strengthen the immune system, soothe coughs, and help eliminate colds. Honey has a coating and soothing effect on the throat, which helps reduce inflammation.

What else is honey good for?

• Improved digestion. Honey stimulates the production of digestive enzymes.
• Maintaining energy levels. The natural sugars, fructose, and glucose contained in honey provide a quick and long-lasting source of energy without causing sharp spikes in blood sugar levels.
• Good sleep. Honey contains tryptophan, which helps regulate serotonin levels in the body, improving sleep quality and reducing stress.
• Maintaining bone health. Honey contains minerals such as calcium, magnesium, and potassium, which are essential for bone health and preventing osteoporosis.

Honey is useful externally. It is used in face masks. Honey is added to cosmetics. It helps moisturize, nourish, and rejuvenate the skin. The natural antiseptic properties of honey heal wounds, burns, and ulcers, and accelerate tissue repair.

The harm of honey

Excessive consumption of honey can lead to an increase in blood sugar levels. This is dangerous for people with diabetes or carbohydrate absorption problems. Some people may experience an allergic reaction to the pollen contained in honey. This can manifest itself in the form of rashes, itching, or even anaphylactic shock.

Another potential harm of honey:

• Poor-quality honey or improper storage can lead to contamination with bacteria or toxins, which can cause food poisoning.
• Consuming large amounts of honey can lead to weight gain or obesity.
• Since honey contains sugar, frequent consumption contributes to tooth decay and other dental problems.

Due to the risk of botulism, honey is not recommended for children under one year of age. Botulism can be especially dangerous for children because of their low immunity. Also, excess sugar is harmful to small children, and they may be allergic to the components of honey.

How to consume honey correctly

It is important to eat honey in moderation. This will help avoid excessive sugar consumption. When buying honey, choose a natural product. It is produced without feeding the bees sugar. There should be no foreign additives in the composition.

A few tips for using honey:

• Avoid heating honey to high temperatures, as this destroys beneficial enzymes and other biologically active substances.
• Honey can be added to various drinks and dishes as a natural sweetener instead of regular sugar.
• Honey is great for cooking, where it gives dishes a unique flavor. It can be used in marinades, sauces, and as an addition to desserts.

Honey is best stored in glass jars or containers. It should be kept at room temperature in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight. The container should be tightly closed after use to prevent moisture from entering and to preserve the freshness of the honey.