Honey, everyone has heard of it, and it has the effect of moistening the throat. When you want to protect your throat, the first thing you do is drink a glass of honey water. But the benefits of honey actually go far beyond these. So, what are the benefits of honey? How can you tell real honey from fake? Today, let the editor answer all your questions about honey and introduce you to the real thing!
1 Carbohydrates
The sugar in honey is mainly monosaccharides (glucose and fructose), with a small amount of other sugars like cottonseed maltose. The total sugar content accounts for over 95% of the dry matter in honey. Compared to regular sucrose, the monosaccharides in honey have distinct advantages. Pure sucrose is high in energy, whereas the glucose and fructose in honey can be directly absorbed and utilized by the human intestinal wall cells, making them more suitable for the elderly, young children, and women.
2 Vitamins
Honey contains a variety of vitamins, with the highest content being B vitamins, at 300-400μg/100g. The contents of VB1, VB2, VB5, and VB6 are respectively: 2.1~9.1μg/100g, 35.0~145.0μg/100g, 25.0~190.0μg/100g, and 227.0~480.0μg/100g.
3 Acids
Honey is rich in various types of acids. The presence of these acids makes honey highly acidic, with the normal acidity of honey being below 3, and not exceeding 4 at most. The acids play a significant role in adjusting the taste and flavor of honey. The acids in honey are divided into inorganic and organic acids. Inorganic acids mainly include boric acid, phosphoric acid, hydrochloric acid, and carbonic acid. Organic acids mainly include acetic acid, butyric acid, formic acid, gluconic acid, citric acid, malic acid, and amino acids. The amino acids in honey are mainly 17 types, such as arginine, histidine, and threonine, with an amino acid content of 0.1%~0.78%.
4 Minerals
Honey contains a variety of minerals, but the content is not high. These include potassium, which is beneficial to the body and mind; calcium, which strengthens bones; phosphorus, which is good for the brain; magnesium, which has a sedative effect; and iron and copper, which enrich the blood.
5 Enzymes
Honey contains various enzymes such as sucrase, reductase, amylase, phosphatase, and glucose oxidase, which are added by bees during the honey-making process. These enzymes give honey some special physiological functions. Among them, Superoxide Dismutase (SOD) is a metal ion-rich, biologically active protein that acts as an oxygen free radical scavenger and has the function of delaying aging.
What are the benefits of honey?
Moistening the Lungs
Honey has the effects of reducing inflammation, expelling phlegm, moistening the lungs, and relieving coughs. Loquat honey is the most effective for coughs. Usage: Take one snow pear, slice it thinly, and mix with honey to eat several times a day.
Sobering Up
The components of honey contain a fructose that is not found in most fruits. It can promote the decomposition and absorption of alcohol, thus helping to sober up quickly and relieve headaches after drinking. Usage: Eat 50 grams of honey or a few pieces of honey-coated biscuits or bread before drinking, and drink honey water after drinking.
Calming Excited Nerves
The glucose, vitamins, magnesium, phosphorus, and calcium in honey can regulate the function of the nervous system, relieve nervous tension, and promote sleep. Moreover, honey does not have the side effects of depression, fatigue, or distraction that other medications may have. Apple honey has the most prominent sedative function. Usage: One spoonful of honey before bedtime each night.
Treating Occasional Wounds
After removing the sugar, the acidity of honey is equivalent to vinegar, which can prevent bacteria from surviving at the site of a wound. Even without bacteria, it can greatly reduce the swelling and pain of the wound, eliminate dead tissue, and speed up wound healing. Usage: Wash the wound with a 10%-15% honey solution, and apply and bandage with pure honey.
Honey is better when mixed with one other ingredient
1 Honey + Pear — Moistens the Lungs and Relieves Dryness
Pears are fresh, sweet, juicy, and rich in vitamins A, B, C, D, and E. They are generally used to moisten the lungs, and the effect is even better when paired with honey. Use one pear, wash it, cut it into pieces, cook it in a pot until it becomes juice, then add two spoonfuls of honey. Drink once in the morning and once in the evening to achieve the effect of moistening the lungs and relieving dryness.
2 Honey + Chrysanthemum — Brightens Eyes, Nourishes Liver and Kidneys
Chrysanthemum is a herbaceous plant and one of the common traditional Chinese medicines. Ancient Chinese medical records describe it as sweet in taste and slightly cold in nature. Soaking it in water for drinking has the effects of brightening the eyes and nourishing the liver and kidneys. Its功效 is doubled when consumed with honey. Prepare 3 grams of chrysanthemum, put it in a cup with boiling water, and steep for about ten minutes. After the water cools down, add two spoonfuls of honey and drink. This drink has the effect of brightening the eyes and nourishing the liver and kidneys.
3 Honey + Banana — Moistens the Intestines and Relieves Constipation
Bananas are fragrant and rich in various trace elements and vitamins, such as calcium, phosphorus, iron, carotene, niacin, vitamin C, and vitamin E. Regular consumption can relieve fatigue, prevent high blood pressure, and relieve constipation. When paired with honey, its effect of moistening the intestines and relieving constipation is doubled. Use 200 grams of banana, cut it into pieces, heat it in a pot with a small amount of water, then add an appropriate amount of honey. After it cools down, eating it has the effect of moistening the intestines and relieving constipation.