Nature provides us healthy options and the Bible attests to it. Let's have a look at honey for instance.
Introduction
Honey comes from beehives. It's being processed by honeybees. The sweet nectar they collect becomes honey inside their beehives.
To make a pound of honey, honeybees need to gather nectar from almost two million flowers! They must be very hard-working! They're just like ants. After gathering lots of nectar, they allow it to thicken into honey. This natural process doesn't allow microbes to thrive in the honey. Nectar is made of sugar and water but it becomes thick due to the enzymes bees add into the solution.
They almost completely rid honey of moisture and it becomes bacteria-free but at this stage, honey isn't safe yet for babies. Why? Because there's a chance of formation of botulinum spores. These are dormant bacteria that only need a little water to become active and multiply again. Babies' immune systems just can't handle them yet. That's why breastmilk is still the best for babies.
The Bible advises us to eat honey in moderation.
Proverbs 25:16
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With that said, let's learn about the health benefits of honey.
Honey offers a wide range of health benefits for those who consume it especially in its raw form. Unfortunately most honey eaten today is processed honey which is been filtered and heated after being collected. Raw honey is different from this processed kind. It is unfiltered, unpasteurized and pure. In this form, it maintains its incredibly healthy nutritional profile. In addition to offering many healthy nutrients it also promotes many health benefits while helping improve our overall health.
When raw honey is consumed consistently, its wonderful antioxidants can help to boost your immune system and reduce free radicals in the body which can help prevent a number of unwanted diseases. Raw honey contains powerful antioxidants known as polyphenols which have been shown to reduce the chances of disease such as heart disease. In addition to this, regular consumption of raw honey may also help to reduce the risk of developing diabetes.
Raw honey and cinnamon is especially helpful for maintaining healthy blood sugar levels. It can also prevent hypoglycemia. According to studies, it can cause a lower elevation of plasma glucose levels in diabetics compared to sucrose and dextrose. It is also a great source of natural energy as raw honey contains a majority of national sugars and many different vitamins and minerals. It’s an easily absorbed energy supply in the form of liver glycogen which is why many people consume honey before their workouts or competitions or in the mornings. Raw honey has also been shown in studies to help with weight loss. When compared to sugar, raw honey may actually work to lower serum triglycerides in the body. Other studies have shown consistent conception of raw honey can help to suppress appetite and activate our hormones.
Proverbs 25:27
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Just like any other healthy food, just make sure you are not over-eating raw honey and you’re managing your intake. Raw honey can also help to improve sleep. More importantly it can increase restorative sleep so we wake up feeling rejuvenated and alert. If you consume raw honey before going to bed, it can work to restock the liver’s glycogen supply. Raw honey also works to release melatonin in the brain. It stimulates the release of tryptophan which converts into serotonin, leading to the release of melatonin. Melatonin is great for promoting restorative sleep since it boosts immunity and also helps to rebuild tissue while we rest.
It can also help with treating a cough and is often considered a natural cure for both cough and cold. Persistent cough may be able to be remedied by consuming just a couple of teaspoons of honey as some studies have indicated. This is said to be due to the thick consistency and sweetness of honey which work to coat the throat and stimulate nerve endings which protect the throat from persistent cough. Lastly raw honey can help to improve the quality of your skin and provide a clearer complexion. This can occur when raw honey is consumed but is even more beneficial when it is applied topically. To enjoy these benefits as much as possible, make sure you are using pure, organic raw honey for best results.