Here are the five reasons why honey is beneficial to your health:
1. It helps you in healing your wounds
A 2011 study pointed out that honey has beneficial properties such as minimizing scar formation, stimulating tissue growth, and enhancing epithelialization.
"The number one clinical use for honey is to help treat wounds," said Joseph Feuerstein, the director of integrative medicine at Stamford Hospital, Connecticut. "There's even a pharmaceutical grade honey-based product, called Medihoney, that's used for wound healing."
2. It is an effective remedy for you a cough
A study from 2007 has found that honey provides significant relief to children who were facing difficulties in sleeping due to nighttime coughs. A lot of parents rated honey as the best form of treatment among the options given by the researchers.
"Drinking tea or warm lemon water mixed with honey is a time-honored way to soothe a sore throat," said Dr. James M. Steckelberg from the Mayo Clinic. "But honey alone may be an effective cough suppressant, too."
3. It moisturizes your skin
Using and applying honey directly on your skin can be as beneficial as using skin care products containing honey extract. Patricia Farris, a board-certified dermatologist from Louisiana, also suggests that you can use honey as a skin moisturizer to deal with problems like dryness and acne. The hydrating effect of honey can be attributed to sugar molecules which help in holding water in the skin.
4. It eases your hangover symptoms
Researchers from the Royal Society of Chemistry, England, suggested that honey could help people recover through a hangover. Fructose found in honey helps the body to break down alcohol more effectively.
5. It is a good source of antioxidants
The darker the honey is, the more antioxidants it contains. Antioxidants prevent cell damage that could increase your risk of developing heart disease, cancer, and more. But remember that honey is still considered as added sugar, so it is suggested to stick to one and a half tablespoons of honey per day or 10 and a half tablespoons of honey per week.