Health Benefits of Honey
Ok, I’m back again with another one of my favorite foods. This one really specializes in addressing what I call the terrific triad concerning health and fitness. We all need to consume substances that contribute to prevention, acceleration and balancing of our body’s tendency to maintain homeostasis. Homeostasis is the property of a system that regulates its internal environment and tends to maintain a stable, relatively constant condition of properties. In the case of human beings, it more specifically speaks to the body’s desire to regulate pH, respiratory rate, BP, cardiac output, skin/bone/muscle growth, etc. Honey aids the body in the fight to keep the system running smoothly.
1. Prevention: Honey can be beneficial in the fight against cancer and heart disease. Honey contains flavonoids which are antioxidants that help reduce the risk of developing free radical, which can lead to cancer and or heart disease.
2. Acceleration: Did you know that Ancient Olympic athletes would eat honey to enhance their performance? In biblical days, John the Baptist was known to live on a diet of just honey and locusts. Now I’m not advocating going that far, but there has to be some beneficial property within honey that helps to accelerate performance. And so there is! Studies have shown that honey is superior in maintaining glycogen levels and improving recovery time more than other sweetener. Therefore, that quick jolt of energy that you crave after working a long shift at work or you need when you are about to go to the gym can be obtained with a shot of honey. One teaspoon should do the trick.
3. Balance: Honey has been used in Ayurvedic medicine (system of traditional medicine) in India for at least 4000 years. It is considered to affect all three of the body’s primitive material imbalances positively. Balance of certain systems of the body like visual, weight loss or management (controlling the release of sugar in the blood stream), urinary tract disorders (with its bacteriocidal properties), bronchial asthma (helps to control bronchial spasms), diarrhea, and nausea. Honey is also referred to as “Yogavahi” since it posses the properties of penetrating into the deepest tissues of the body. Taking honey with other herbal preparations (tea for example), it enhances the medicinal qualities of those preparations and also helps them to reach the deeper tissues. Think of it as a ferry or taxi that travels into the heart of the city.
Honey can be taken by spoon, mixed in teas, drinks (lemonade), glazes for meats, desert toppings, salad dressings, or even marinades. Going a step further, the honey comb itself can be eaten. I use it as a spread for toast in the mornings to give me a jump start to my day. So don’t’ be shy, give honey a try. Be safe.
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