Honey: Benefits, uses, and properties

Honey is a sweet liquid that bees produce using nectar from flowers. People throughout the world have hailed the health benefits of honey for thousands of years.

Honey is available raw or pasteurized and in a variety of color grades. On average, it contains about

Modern science is finding evidence to support many of the historical uses of honey.

Healing wounds and burns

A 2015 review found that honey may help heal burns, and a

An

It is worth noting that many products such as face creams, deodorants, and shampoos contain honey in varying amounts.

Preventing acid reflux

Honey might help ward off acid reflux. A

The upward flow of stomach acid can lead to gastroesophageal reflux disease, which can involve inflammation, acid reflux, and heartburn.

Fighting infections

A

A 2016 in vitro

Relieving cold and cough symptoms

A 2012 study found that honey was more effective than a placebo at reducing children’s coughs during the night.

Two years later,

A 2012 review highlights that in Ayurvedic medicine, honey is used to treat the following wide array of illnesses, ailments, and injuries — whether it is mixed with other remedies and consumed or applied to the skin.

• hiccups
• stress
• weakness
• bed wetting and frequent urination
• bad breath
• the effects of hangovers
• teething pain in babies older than 1 year
• eczema and dermatitis
• burns, cuts, and wounds
• coughs and asthma
• sleep disturbances
• vision problems
• stomach ulcers
• diarrhea and dysentery
• vomiting
• high blood pressure
• obesity
• jaundice
• arthritis

Clinical trials have not confirmed many of these uses. However, a

Honey has been a mainstay in medicinal practices throughout the world

The production of honey can have a negative environmental effect.

Industrial beekeeping practices may also contribute to colony breakdowns and an overall decline in bee populations, according to a 2020 review. Another study published the same year emphasizes that increasing the overall bee population is critical for sustainable development.

The Western honeybee is not native to the United States, it arrived with colonists in the 17th century. Honeybees can pose a threat to the roughly 4,000 native species of bee in the country. For this reason, honeybees are not introduced in many conservation areas.

One tablespoon of honey contains

It is worth noting that the exact physical properties of honey depend on the flora used to make it.

When stored in an airtight container, honey has no expiration date.

Honey’s sweetness can make it an ideal substitute for sugar, and research indicates that using honey instead of adding sugar may benefit people with diabetes.

It is crucial to note that honey qualifies as an added sugar and provides excess calories with no nutritional benefit. Having a diet high in added sugars can lead to increased body weight, which carries risks of high blood pressure and diabetes.

Honey is a form of sugar, so a person’s intake should be moderate. The American Heart Association (AHA) recommends that women get no more than

Practitioners throughout the world have used honey as a remedy for more than

A person may also benefit from using honey as a sugar substitute, in moderation. It is important to keep in mind that healthy overall eating patterns are key in preventing illness and supporting well-being. While individual foods can have certain effects, it is important to focus on consuming a varied, balanced diet.