Contrary to popular opinion, (*cough* A number of Nigerian parents *cough*), honey isn’t the magical cure-all it’s touted to be. However, this doesn’t detract from the awesomeness of the golden brown syrup, it packs a healthy dose (literally) of great benefits and there are also several things it can be used for when you are not dumping loads of it into your cup with the excuse that it’s better than sugar.
Here are a few reasons honey is awesome:
- Replacing added sugar in your diet
Honey’s inherent sweet flavor makes it a great substitute for sugar in your diet, sugar in a diet provides excess calories with no nutritional benefit. Honey is a healthier alternative to sugar, but should also be used in moderation.
- Preventing acid reflux
Honey can reduce the upward flow of stomach acid and undigested food by lining the esophagus and stomach. This can help to reduce the risk of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD).
- Fighting infections
A recent study in the European Journal of Clinical Microbiology & Infectious Diseases showed that a certain type of honey, called Manuka Honey, can help prevent the bacteria Clostridium difficile which causes diarrhea from settling in the body.
- Relieving cold and cough symptoms
The World Health Organization recommends honey as a natural cough remedy. A 2007 study by Penn State College of Medicine suggested that honey also helped to reduce night-time coughing and mild sickness like cold.
- Treating mild burns
Honey’s anti-inflammatory and anti-bacterial properties make it an ideal DIY burn treatment. If you’ve burned yourself a little, first run it under cold water to cool down the area. Then pour over honey on the burn spot honey then dress the burn.
Note: Honey should not be given to infants, particularly children under 1 year, as it may cause botulism, a rare but serious form of food poisoning.
We’ve got a lot of sweet things on our aisles but the varieties of well-packaged honey we have are sure to catch your eyes, shop fresh, quality honey in store.
