The Many Health Benefits of Raw Honey

8 Health Benefits of Raw Honey

1. Healthy Weight Management

Research studies have linked honey consumption with weight loss. A San Diego State
University study found that replacing sugar with honey can actually help prevent packing on extra
pounds and also lower blood sugar. The results also suggest that in comparison to sugar, honey may
lower serum triglycerides. (3)

Another study from the University of Wyoming found that raw honey can activate hormones that
suppress the appetite. In the double-blind randomly assigned study, appetite hormones and glycemic
responses were measured in 14 healthy non-obese women after consuming a breakfast containing
either honey or sugar. Overall, researchers concluded that honey consumption offers potential
obesity protective effects. (4)

2. Counters Pollen Allergies

Raw honey contains bee pollen, which is known to ward off infections, provide natural allergy
relief and boost overall immunity. Honeys ability to prevent allergies is based on a concept called
immunotherapy. How so? The bees in your neighborhood go from flower to flower collecting pollen
that causes you to suffer, but when a you consume local raw honey, you also consume that same
offending local pollen. After some time, an allergy sufferer may become less sensitive to this pollen
that previously caused problems and experience less seasonal allergy symptoms. Many seasonal
allergy sufferers have found local, raw honey to be helpful because it desensitizes them to
the fauna triggering their allergic reaction.

A 2013 study found that eating honey at a high dose (one gram per kilogram of body weight of honey
daily) can improve allergy symptoms over a period of eight weeks. Researchers absorbed that the
honey consumption improved overall and individual symptoms of allergic rhinitis. (5) Allergic rhinitis is
an allergic response that causes itchy, watery eyes, sneezing and other similar symptoms.

Some people say that a daily tablespoon of honey can actually act like an allergy shot. The type of
honey is key though since pasteurized honey does not contain any pollen. For possible seasonal
allergy relief, you need to consume raw honey with pollen in it.

3. Natural Energy Source

Raw honey contains natural sugars (80 percent), water (18 percent), and minerals, vitamins, pollen
and protein (2 percent). Its not surprising that honey has been called the perfect running fuel.
It provides an easily absorbed supply of energy in the form of liver glycogen, making it ideal for
energetic morning starts and as a pre- and post-exercise energy source.

Studies at the University of Memphis Exercise and Sports Nutrition Laboratory have shown honey to
be one of the best choices of carbohydrate to consume right before exercising. Additionally, studies
have revealed that as a sporting fuel, honey performs on a par with glucose, which is the sugar used
in most commercial energy gels. (6)
When it comes to raw honeys use in athletic endeavors, I highly recommend raw honey for both
fueling and recovery. Thats why raw honey is included in some of the best pre-workout
snacks and post-workout meals.

4. Antioxidant Powerhouse

Studies have shown that a daily dose of raw honey raises levels of health-promoting antioxidants in
the body. Antioxidants help block free radicals in the body that cause disease. It also boosts the
immune system, acting as a preventative against any number of debilitating diseases. Honey
contains polyphenols, which are powerful antioxidants that have been shown to reduce the risk of
heart disease and cancer.

One study fed 25 subjects about four tablespoons of honey per day for 29 days in addition to their
regular diets. When blood samples were taken at the start and end of the study, researchers found a
clear, direct link between honey consumption and an increased level of disease-
fighting polyphenolsin the blood. (7)

Studies have shown that honey contains the disease-fighting antioxidant flavonoids pinocembrin,
pinostrobin and chrysin. (8) Pinocembrin supports enzyme activity, and many studies have shown
that pinocembrin induces apoptosis (programmed cell death) of many types of cancer cells. (9)
Laboratory research suggests that chrysin may increase the male hormone testosterone and improve
bodybuilding results, but human research hasnt found any effect on testosterone levels. (10)