Honey Benefits, Calories, Uses, Side effects, Nutrition facts

Honey has numerous benefits for the gastrointestinal system. Traditionally, honey is considered good for improving digestion. A study showed that honey can help cure stomach flu (gastroenteritis) in children. It can also help prevent diarrhoea.

It has been found to inhibit bacterial adherence to intestinal walls which may be helpful in preventing common stomach infections. Recent studies demonstrate an anti-ulcer potential in honey which is mediated by decreasing free radicals and inflammatory cytokines and improving mucosal barriers.

Clinical studies claim that honey reduces the risk of gastric ulcers by inducing apoptosis (Cell-death) in gastric mucosa (inner lining of stomach).

Wounds usually do not take much time to heal if proper care is taken. But wounds caused by a serious injury might take longer to heal. According to research, honey has significant wound healing properties. In a clinical study done on 10 wounded subjects, topical application of honey demonstrated significant improvement in healing process. There was also an 80% reduction in pain and swelling. The anti-bacterial and anti-inflammatory properties were reported to be responsible for these healing benefits of honey. It also keeps the wound clean and moist and enhances fibrin production which aids in skin regeneration and formation of a smooth and soft scar surface.

Clinical evidence suggests that honey can heal burns too. In a clinical study, 50 people with burn wounds were given topical treatment with honey. Significant healing was reported within the first week of the treatment. The study also revealed that honey application controlled infection and inflammation in these wounds.

Asthma is an inflammatory condition where the airways become narrow making it difficult to breathe. People with asthma often experience cough,(especially in the night), wheezing and chest pain. Honey has been used for ages to treat cold and cough. Preclinical studies indicate that honey might be effective in treating symptoms of asthma. Smelling honey can help prevent the excess growth of goblet cells that are responsible for secreting mucous.

Furthermore, honey has anti-inflammatory properties which may be helpful in reducing inflammation in asthma thereby providing temporary relief. However, no clinical studies have been done so far to ascertain the safety of such procedures in humans.

Hangover refers to the group of uncomfortable symptoms that are associated with excess alcohol consumption. Common symptoms include a headache, nausea, dizziness and a feeling of dehydration that can sometimes last for up to 24 hours. Studies indicate that honey might have anti-intoxication effects followed by excessive alcohol consumption.

A preclinical study demonstrated that oral intake of honey can help prevent a hangover. This effect is attributed to the presence of fructose in honey. This sugar prevents the absorption of alcohol into the gastrointestinal tract and aids in the elimination of alcohol from the body thus reducing hangover symptoms.

Honey is an excellent antioxidant and humectant, which means that it helps retain moisture in your scalp and reduces free radical damage, giving a lively lustre to your hair. As an emollient, it soothes and softens your scalp and hairs. What better than a homemade honey mask to get soft and shiny hairs?

Seborrheic dermatitis is a condition that affects the scalp. Common symptoms include dandruff, scaly patches and redness on the scalp. However, this condition can also affect other areas such as the face, chest and eyebrows. A clinical study on 30 subjects suggested that massaging the scalp for a few minutes with honey can help in the prevention of itching and removal of patches from the scalp within a few weeks. It also helped prevent hair loss and skin lesions. People who kept on applying honey once a week for about 6 months after the study, did not report any experience but those who did stop honey application within the first three months of the treatment reported a relapse. The study concluded that weekly application of honey may be beneficial in reducing the symptoms of sebborhic dematitis.

(Read more: How to stop hair fall)

It is a common misconception that honey is not safe for diabetic patients. But research reveals that honey is, in fact, an antidiabetic agent that can help in the proper management of diabetes. Several preclinical studies indicate that supplementation of honey increases insulin levels and decreases blood glucose levels. Recent studies show that the fructose level in honey is responsible for its anti-diabetic properties.

According to another research, the antioxidant properties of honey make it effective against oxidative stress, thereby increasing its potential to treat hyperglycemia (high blood sugar). Honey has a low glycemic index (GI) compared to sugar. This means that honey takes a longer time to cause the blood sugar levels to side.

(Read more: Diabetes symptoms)

Cancer refers to the abnormal proliferation of natural body cells. Several risk factors can be associated with its prevalence which includes lifestyle (smoking, alcohol), chronic diseases, inflammation or genetics. Amazingly, honey is a counter treatment to all of these. It is a storehouse of the most prominent anticancer compounds including catechins, flavonoids, quercetin and kaempferol. And the list isn’t even conclusive.

According to an article published in Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine, honey is a natural vaccine against cancer. Here is how:

• As an antioxidant, it scavenges excess free radicals which play a significant role in cancer development. Alcohol, smoking and stress are just some of the most common lifestyle factors causing free radical accumulation
• Honey is an excellent antibiotic, so it stops chronic infections from advancing to tumours or cancers.
• Honey also heals wounds quickly which prevents them from damaging skin linings (both inner lining and epithelium) thus preventing chronic wounds which have a tendency to turn into cancer.
• Long-term inflammation is yet another risk factor in cancer. As an anti-inflammatory agent, honey makes sure that such inflammation doesn’t develop into cancer.

Excessive cholesterol levels can increase the risk of several health problems including obesity, heart attack and atherosclerosis. Honey is cholesterol free which makes it a safe choice of food for hypercholesterolemic (high cholesterol) individuals. Not only this but also it helps reduce excessive cholesterol levels in body.

In a clinical study done on 38 subjects with high cholesterol levels, intake of honey led to a decrease in low-density lipoprotein LDL (bad cholesterol) and triglyceride within 30 days. Another study on 70 men indicated that consumption of 70 g  honey, daily, for a period of 4 weeks, reduced the LDL level and total cholesterol level (TC). There was also an increase in the HDL (good cholesterol) level. So, you can definitely add honey to your recipes without worrying about your cholesterol.

(Read more: High cholesterol symptoms)

Cardiovascular diseases include a wide range of conditions associated with the heart and blood vessels. Conditions like high cholesterol, high blood pressure and obesity are some of the common risk factors associated with cardiovascular diseases. Studies suggest that the polyphenols in honey could be very useful in treating cardiovascular diseases. These polyphenols can help in the prevention of thrombosis (blood clots within the blood vessels) and ischaemia (damage in the heart’s blood vessels). Additionally, they dilate blood vessels thereby reducing blood pressure.

Other than polyphenols, honey also contains Vitamin C, monophenols and flavonoids. All of these components are responsible for the antioxidant properties of honey and they help prevent heart diseases and stroke.