As a nutritionist, I have always wondered about the health benefits of honey. Should I consider it as another source of sugar? Or should I look at it differently given the kind of associations that Ayurveda and other indigenous medical traditions have with honey? To solve this problem, luckily I had the opportunity to do some research on this topic. Here are some ideas I’ve picked up since then!

The honey has clearly stood the test of time; Here we are not simply talking about centuries. Honey has been recognized for its medicinal properties since 6000 BC Therefore, there is a documented reference to the use of honey for at least 8000 years, be it in stone age paintings, Sumerian tablets, Egyptian papyri, Vedas, the Holy Quran, the Talmud, the Old and New Testaments of the Bible! This made me think that there must definitely be something special about honey, beyond the chemical composition that modern science has deciphered!

But for a bit of science now

Honey naturally contains small amounts of vitamins, minerals, trace elements such as chromium, selenium, manganese, necessary for the body as catalysts for many reactions; Some enzymes that aid in digestion also give honey its antimicrobial properties and actives that are more commonly known as antioxidants. The fact that all of this is naturally present and the honey is minimally processed (no artificial colors, flavors or preservatives) definitely makes it a healthier sweet spread for kids.

The source of honey affects its “biological activity” and therefore the benefits. But all honey contains assets regardless of the source. However, it may be best to buy honey that claims to be minimally processed and indicates where it comes from.

It is a natural energy booster for children/adults before, during or after game/exercise and some studies show it may be better than glucose in providing sustained energy for athletes rather than a jump start. This is due to the sugar composition in honey – it has a combination of fast and slow burning sugars. Therefore, it will be a great idea to replace sugar with honey in children’s drinks, be it a banana milkshake or a fruit smoothie.

Honey has both antimicrobial (germ-fighting ability) and anti-inflammatory (reduces inflammation/soothes membranes) properties, so it helps fight common infections: cold, cough, sore throat. Many holistic practitioners prescribe honey for coughs/colds and some studies in children show that it is better at suppressing coughs than regular cough suppressants! Therefore, Grandma’s ginger and honey concoctions for colds, honey and pepper for sore throats and coughs, and various spice and honey concoctions have a definite scientific basis!

Here’s another fact I learned: Due to a certain enzyme in raw honey, when applied topically to wounds, honey can act as an antiseptic! It has even been used in the treatment of burns!

Moving on to the digestive system, the natural enzymes present in honey can improve the digestion of food substances, especially sugars and starch. As a sweetener, honey has advantages over sugar, providing some nutrients that help in digestive processes. Honey is also a source of prebiotics, unlike probiotics, as prebiotics are substances that facilitate the growth of good bacteria, while probiotics are the good bacteria themselves. Many trials have shown that consuming honey has a positive effect on the growth of beneficial bacteria in the intestine. Considering the abuse our digestive system takes these days, honey may be the simple natural remedy to maintain gut health. It is also used in the treatment of heartburn, ulcers, and reflux in modern medicine! A spoonful of honey is even recommended after a hearty meal…!

The relationship between honey and weight loss is the most debated; Although I couldn’t find a scientific article on this, many lifestyle websites and references in traditional medicine (Amish, Ayurveda) talk about honey’s role in burning fat and generally boosting metabolism. So honey as part of a weight loss regimen can help people in their weight loss efforts: one tsp. of honey in a little warm water in the morning!

For teenage girls, honey can be the go-to when it comes to beauty treatments. It has the ability to absorb and retain moisture, helping skin feel fresh and supple. The anti-germ properties can help in the treatment of acne. The honey can be applied to the face and allowed to dry (fifteen minutes or so) and washed off with lukewarm water. Beauty tips can’t get any easier than this!

Last on the list but important, honey is known as “Yogavahi” in Ayurveda. It means that it can penetrate into the deep tissues of the body. Therefore, many Ayurvedic practitioners recommend mixing herbal medicines with honey to help the medicine reach deeper tissues. There are over 600 recipes in Ayurveda that use honey.

So after my research, I started using honey a lot more, whether it was treating a cold or sore throat, replacing part sugar in cakes or granola bars, as a spread on toast, parathas, in breakfast cereals, in milk, green tea, or just to give the family a spoonful of honey.