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London follow-up: Scientists say honey is not just a sweet natural substance, but rather has many health benefits, from lowering cholesterol to helping heal wounds.
And many scientific studies have worked to research the benefits of honey and prove its effectiveness on public health.Here are four scientific benefits of honey and how to choose the best types.
1. Honey has antioxidant properties
Antioxidants fight free radicals in the body. Free radicals are chemicals produced through bodily processes such as food metabolism or from external sources such as pollution. In large quantities, free radicals can destroy genetic material and cells, which can increase the risk of cancer and cardiovascular disease.
Honey contains a variety of antioxidants, including: glucose oxidase, ascorbic acid, which is a form of vitamin C, phenolic acids and flavonoids.
2. Honey lowers cholesterol
Another benefit of honey is that it can reduce cholesterol levels, especially low-density lipoprotein (LDL) levels, which is the “bad” type of cholesterol.
High levels of low-density lipoprotein (LDL) can increase a person’s risk of:
Angina pectoris (chest pain)
Heart disease
– Heart attack
– Apoplexy
In a small 2013 study of overweight or obese individuals, participants who consumed 70 g of natural honey per day for up to 30 days showed a 5.8% decrease in LDL cholesterol compared to those who consumed 70. g of sucrose, a form of sugar.
Patients who consumed honey also saw an 11% decrease in triglycerin, the most common type of body fat.
3. Honey calms the cough
Studies have shown that honey soothes coughs thanks to its anti-inflammatory properties, says Divya El Silvakumar, MD, MD, a dietitian from Maryland.
A 2012 study looked at the effect of honey on children between the ages of one and five with nocturnal cough. Participants used 10 mg of eucalyptus honey, citrus honey, or a placebo before going to bed. The results found a marked improvement in cough among children who consumed honey.
However, honey should not be given to children under one year of age because it can lead to food poisoning, a potentially fatal disease.
“Honey’s antibacterial properties can help prevent infections and stimulate the immune system to promote healing,” says Silvakumar. Topical application of honey is known to treat conditions such as:
Although there are multiple types of honey, one is not necessarily better than the other for topical application or oral administration.
However, it is best for your health to choose raw, unprocessed honey that can be purchased at health food stores and vitamin stores.
“It’s always best to try and use raw organic honey with no preservatives, added sugars or any other kind of additives,” says Silvakumar. This is because honey processing can remove some beneficial nutrients and antioxidants.
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