The nutritional value of honey is very rich, and consuming honey appropriately in daily life is very beneficial to our health. However, many people have certain misconceptions about the shelf life of honey, mistakenly believing that it never spoils. So, what are the benefits of honey? Let's find out together!
I. About the Shelf Life of Honey
National regulations stipulate that the shelf life of bottled honey is 18 months. However, well-sealed, mature honey with high concentration can be preserved for many years. It is best to eat honey when it is fresh, as its color, aroma, and taste are better.
Old honey that has been stored for a long time is still edible as long as it has not spoiled and will not be harmful to the body. It's just that the nutritional value of aged honey is slightly inferior to that of fresh honey.
II. About Whether Honey Has Spoiled
Honey can spoil over time, manifesting in three ways:
1. The taste becomes sourer.
2. It becomes very thin. Normal honey is quite viscous and can even be wrapped in paper, rather than stored in a bucket or bottle. When it spoils, it becomes thin due to rising temperatures.
3. Many gray bubbles appear on the surface of the honey, indicating that some organic matter in the honey is decomposing, fermenting, and bubbling, releasing gas as a byproduct. At this point, even if the honey has not yet spoiled, its nutritional value has already diminished.
III. About Whether Honey Is Edible
If your honey is not sealed tightly and has not been stored at a low temperature, and it has been in a liquid state for at least three years, you can be sure that it has already spoiled.
It is best not to drink it anymore. While drinking it might not cause any harm to your body, it no longer has much nutritional value.
What are the health benefits of honey?
Weight Loss Benefits
Medical research has proven that honey has an excellent regulatory effect on gastrointestinal function, effectively promoting gastric acid secretion. Honey can also effectively enhance intestinal motility and promote bowel movements.
Promotes Sleep and Enhances Immunity
The glucose, vitamins, magnesium, phosphorus, calcium, and other substances in honey can regulate the nervous system and promote sleep. People with insomnia can take one tablespoon of honey orally (mixed in a cup of warm water) before going to bed to help fall asleep faster. At the same time, the enzymes and minerals in honey help boost immunity.
Moisturizes the Lungs and Relieves Coughs
Li Shizhen wrote in the "Compendium of Materia Medica": "Honey is cooling when raw and warming when cooked, neither too cold nor too dry, possessing a balanced qi. Therefore, it is suitable for treating diseases of the twelve organ systems." Honey can moisten the lungs and has a certain cough-relieving effect, and is often used as an adjuvant treatment for tuberculosis and bronchitis.
Antioxidant
Honey contains a surprising amount of antioxidants that can eliminate the body's waste—oxygen free radicals, thereby helping to prevent cancer and aging. Applying fresh honey to the skin can have a moisturizing and nourishing effect, making the skin delicate, smooth, and elastic. In winter, when the skin is dry, you can mix a small amount of honey with water and apply it to the skin to prevent chapping, using it as a substitute for anti-cracking cream. It is a natural and excellent beauty product for women.