Health Benefits of Honey That Are Surprisingly Sweet
Equal parts sticky and sweet, honey is the ultimate all-natural sweet treat — but it's so much more than a saccharine substance. The syrupy liquid offers a rich mix of disease-busting and gut-friendly properties, making it a noteworthy addition to foods and drinks.
Transcript
00:00 My name is Kayla Jeter, and if there's one thing I've learned from being a fitness coach,
00:04 it's that everyone's wellness process and goals are different.
00:07 So no matter where you are in your fitness journey, we wanted to provide you with some
00:11 info that can help you along the way.
00:16 We already know that honey tastes delicious, but its many health benefits are just as sweet,
00:22 from fighting disease to supporting brain health.
00:25 So here to share more about this all-natural sugar is registered dietitian Bridget Zietlin.
00:30 Thanks Kayla.
00:32 Honey is a sweet, thick liquid we all know made by bees.
00:36 It contains 75 to 80% carbohydrates and is 15 to 20% water.
00:42 It also contains folate and vitamin C, as well as other micronutrients.
00:47 Honey is meant to be consumed in small amounts, since it doesn't quite come with a lot of
00:52 macro nutrients.
00:54 But there are benefits we simply can't deny.
00:57 Honey wards off disease.
00:58 The sweet's substance contains flavonoids and polyphenols, both of which are potent
01:04 antioxidants that neutralize free radicals and other toxins that could lead to cell and
01:09 tissue damage and minimizes inflammation.
01:12 It is also a natural cough remedy.
01:15 This golden liquid is believed to act as a demilucent and a substance that soothes mucus
01:21 membranes by coating the throat.
01:23 Number 3.
01:24 Honey helps promote wound healing.
01:26 This finding dates way back to ancient Egypt, and more recent studies have also shown that
01:31 applying pharmaceutical-grade honey, such as manuka honey, topically speeds up the healing.
01:37 This is because the honey's antibacterial properties act as a helpful protective barrier.
01:43 While honey shouldn't totally replace your antibiotic or ointment, it is still helpful
01:48 to know about this natural remedy.
01:50 In fact, manuka honey was approved by the FDA in 2007 as an option for wound treatment.
01:57 Honey's antioxidants can also help support brain health and mental cognition.
02:01 The microallea cells found in our central nervous system are responsible for protecting
02:06 neurons and preventing damage while controlling inflammation throughout our central nervous
02:11 system.
02:12 The antioxidants found in honey help to strengthen those microallea cells to reduce that brain
02:17 inflammation and help keep neurodegenerative diseases at bay.
02:22 So good sources of antioxidants like honey, vegetables, fruit, and legumes will help you
02:28 keep your thinking sharp for years to come.
02:31 Finally, honey is BFFs with our microbiome.
02:35 The carbs in honey act as prebiotics, which serve as a food for the good gut bacteria,
02:42 which are also known as probiotics.
02:44 Honey feeds the good bacteria, and then that good bacteria fights off the bad bacteria.
02:50 And the amount of good bacteria we have in our gut is what actually keeps our digestive
02:53 system on point.
02:55 Thanks so much for all that info.
02:57 I know I'll be adding honey to my smoothies, my peanut butter toast, or maybe even in a
03:02 batch of brownies.
03:04 Anything else we should know about the potential health risks of honey?
03:07 While honey is generally deemed safe, honey can cause an allergic response.
03:12 Those with bee allergies or a confirmed honey allergy will need to avoid all types of honey.
03:18 And if you do have a lot of food allergies in general, make sure to get an updated allergy
03:23 test for honey specifically before adding it into your routine.
03:27 And if you are a diabetic, please confirm with your doctor or dietitian before adding
03:32 it into your day on a regular basis.
03:34 Want some more tips?
03:35 Head on over to Shape.com and learn more about Good Eats and more.
03:39 See you next time.
03:40 [music]
03:42 (upbeat music)
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