Raw Honey: 8 Splendid Benefits Of This Guilt-Free Sweetener

Photo credit: bigstock.com

Photo credit: bigstock.com

Let’s face it: Everyone loves sweets. Great-tasting food is part of what makes life worth living; however, past a certain point, they can make your life shorter. Most people wouldn’t believe the average adult in the United States eats an estimated 150 pounds of sugar each year, and that the numbers around the the world are comparable. Excessive sugar consumption is very unhealthy and has been linked to a plethora of diseases, including diabetes. But what if we told you there was a natural sweeter with an amazing taste that not only lacks the harmful properties of refined sugar, but was actually healthy as well?

It’s not a myth. Raw honey is one of the best-kept secrets of health-conscious eaters worldwide. Raw honey is packed with antioxidants, phytonutrients and has anti-inflammatory qualities. It contains varieties of B vitamins, as well as minerals like iron, potassium, zinc, magnesium, and more.

Raw honey is a traditional food in hundreds of cultures, used for both culinary and medicinal purposes. The Greek physician Hippocrates, considered by many the “Father of Western Medicine,” was especially fond of using honey as a treatment for various ailments. We’ll break down why honey is so beneficial in a moment, but first it is important that you know how to pick the right kind.

Not all honey is created equal. In order to reap the benefits of consuming honey, you need to be sure you are purchasing the right kind — pure RAW honey.

Most honey sold in stores is clear with a bright golden hue. It looks wholesome and delicious, but unfortunately, the only way honey attains this appearance is through extensive heating and filtering. These industrial processes are used in most cheap, mass-produced honey brands, and while the resulting product does taste good, it’s robbed of all its nutritional value. By the time it arrives on the shelf, it is little more than sugary goo with barely any health benefits.

Real, raw honey does not undergo any filtration or heating. It has a darker, opaque color and still contains the bee pollen that is naturally occurring in honey. It usually costs a little more, but think about what you’re getting by paying a little extra. The difference between heated and treated honey and raw, unprocessed honey is comparable to that of real maple syrup versus fake syrup filled with high-fructose corn syrup.

Now, let’s break down the specific reasons why raw honey is so beneficial, and how you can best use it to improve your health.

 

1. Improves digestion

Raw honey helps the stomach process food more effectively and helps prevent various digestive issues like indigestion, stomach cramps, and constipation.

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