Honey, the main product of the hive, is made up primarily of sugars and water, along with small amounts of vitamins and minerals, including niacin, riboflavin, pantothenic acid, calcium, copper, iron, magnesium, manganese, phosphorus, potassium, and zinc.

On average, honey contains 17.1 percent water; 82.4 percent total carbohydrates; and 0.5 percent protein, amino acids, vitamins and minerals. The main sugars are fructose, glucose, maltose and sucrose.

Honey also contains a variety of antioxidants that scavenge free radicals, and in general, darker honeys have higher antioxidant content than lighter honeys. Because honey contains so many more nutrients than table sugar, it is a much healthier sweetener.

Honey as an antibiotic

Another important property of honey is its antibiotic action. It has even been shown to be superior to some conventional antibiotics used in the treatment of certain infections. Experiments with honey show that it has certain properties that act against bacteria. Curiously, the newborn bees are fed with diluted honey by the nurse bees, responsible for their care, as if they knew the high characteristics that honey possesses.

Honey is valuable in treating burns, infected wounds and ulcers. A study conducted in West Africa showed that many surgeries, such as skin grafting, honey, applied to the local area, prevented the presence of wounds.

Honey for coughs and colds

Honey has been used as a home remedy for centuries to help relieve some of the symptoms associated with the common cold. Researchers at Penn State College of Medicine have published a study comparing honey to certain over-the-counter medications for relief of cold symptoms, such as coughs. In several cases, honey outperformed modern medicines.

honey and digestion

Honey has also traditionally been used for stomach ulcers and heartburn. In fact, Western research indicates that honey can stop the growth of H. pylori, the bacteria responsible for many cases of gastritis and stomach ulcers.

Bifidobacteria are a group of "good" bacteria that are considered important for the health of the digestive tract. Honey acts as a probiotic to promote the growth of bifidobacteria and heal the stomach. It can even help counteract constipation.

honey for healthy teeth

Although honey is sweet, it helps maintain and protect teeth. It shows antimicrobial effects against several species of bacteria in dental plaque. Honey has been shown to dramatically reduce acid production, while being able to kill the bacteria responsible for tooth decay and block the growth of oral bacteria. Honey helps with the treatment of periodontal disease, mouth ulcers, and other diseases of the mouth.

honey for insomnia

Honey helps in nervous disorders such as insomnia and acts as a tonic in the recovery of any damage to the human nervous system. In cases of sleep deprivation, you can drink a teaspoon of honey mixed with warm water before bed to help improve sleep.

honey against allergies

It is not really known why direct exposure to pollen causes allergies in some people, while small doses of honey do the exact opposite. Experts believe that the very small amount of pollen in honey acts as a homeopathic medicine. A teaspoon of raw, unfiltered honey daily can do wonders for allergies.

Honey has large amounts of properties related to the cure of ailments. Always have a jar of honey in the pantry at home

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