Health Benefits of Raw Honey
From ingesting a spoonful to slathering it on as a facial cleanser, honey delivers potent antibacterial, antioxidant, and anti-inflammatory properties, and its power lies in its composition. Liquid gold and sweeter than sugar, honey is comprised primarily of fruc-tose and glucose, as well as numerous flavonoid polyphenols, enzymes, minerals, free amino acids, vitamins, and proteins.
Honey is antibacterial
Honey contains an enzyme that produces germ-busting hydrogen peroxide. As a result, honey is an antibacterial agent that has been used for centuries both internally and externally. Honey’s low pH (between 3 and 4.5) eliminates bacteria that might lead to cellular decomposition. Moreover, honey’s high sugar content inhibits microbial growth, speeds the healing of wounds and burns, and facilitates recovery from ail-ments ranging from urinary tract infections to chronic gastritis and ulcers.
Honey is anti-inflammatory
In tandem with its antioxidant powers, honey’s phenolic compounds have also been shown to reduce inflammation in the body and even to inhibit tumor growth. Inflam-mation is a defensive response by cells and tissues and can be either acute (the way a bug bite swells) or chronic (the way joints become swollen and stiff) in nature. You may not want it to be your only remedy for inflammation problems—but drizzling it on your oatmeal definitely isn't a bad thing.
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