Honey : Health benefits-Interactions

usa-good- clinic
17 Aug, 2023

 

Honey

Honey is a sweet fluid made by honeybees from the nectar of flowering plants. There are many different types of honey, each with a different color, odor, and flavor.


Honey is mostly made up of sugar as well as various amino acids, vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants. It is also used as a natural sweetener and to treat inflammation, infection, and other medical conditions. Honey may be taken orally or applied topically. Burning produces heat and helps to heal wounds.

Honey : Health benefits

  • Honey is not just a delicious sweetener, but it also offers numerous health benefits. With its rich antioxidant properties, honey can help boost the immune system and protect the body against oxidative stress. Additionally, honey has been used for centuries to soothe sore throats and coughs, thanks to its antibacterial and antimicrobial properties. Moreover, honey can promote wound healing due to its anti-inflammatory effects.

  • Honey has been used for centuries not only as a sweetener but also for its numerous health benefits. It is a natural product that is rich in antioxidants and has antimicrobial properties. In traditional medicine, honey has been used to treat wounds and infections, thanks to its antibacterial properties. Moreover, honey has been shown to have anti-inflammatory effects and can help soothe sore throats and coughs.

Evidence

Some research on honey is specifically focused on treating specific conditions.

  • Cardiovascular disease.Honey is a source of antioxidants, which might help reduce your risk of heart disease.

  • Cough.Some studies suggest that eucalyptus honey, citrus honey, and labiatae honey can suppress coughs in some people with upper respiratory infections and acute nighttime cough.

  • Gastrointestinal disease.Some people believe that honey might help relieve gastrointestinal tract conditions such as diarrhea that are associated with gastroenteritis. It is also possible that honey can be helpful in treating oral rehydration therapy.

  • Neurological disease.Some studies suggest that honey might offer antidepressant, anticonvulsant, and anti-anxiety benefits. In some cases, honey has been shown to help prevent memory disorders.

  • Wound care.Medical-grade honey is effective at promoting wound healing.

The quality of honey may vary because there are no standardized methods for producing or verifying it.

Our take

Generally safe

Honey is generally safe for adults and children older than one. It might be helpful in treating burns, coughs, and possibly other conditions.

Safety and side effects

Honey is likely safe to use as a natural sweetener, for treating coughs and wounds.

Do not give honey to babies under one year old. Honey can cause a rare but serious gastrointestinal condition (infant botulism) caused by exposure to Clostridium botulinum spores. The bacteria from the spores can grow and multiply in a baby's intestines. The toxin is dangerous.

Some people are sensitive to specific components in honey, such as bee pollen. Although rare allergies to bee pollen can cause serious and sometimes fatal reactions, signs and symptoms of a reaction include:

  • Wheezing and other asthmatic symptoms

  • Dizziness

  • Nausea

  • Vomiting

  • Weakness

  • Excessive perspiration

  • Fainting

  • Irregular heart rhythms (arrhythmias)

  • Stinging after topical application

Honey might affect blood sugar levels.

Interactions

There is currently no evidence to suggest how honey may interact with other medications.
Next Post Previous Post