Raw Honey Benefits
Unfiltered honey is generally safe and boasts many health-supporting qualities. Here’s why raw honey is good for you:
1. It Has Antibacterial Properties
Honey is naturally antibacterial and antimicrobial, according to Cleveland Clinic. That’s because most types of honey generate hydrogen peroxide, an antibacterial agent, according to a review published in Food Chemistry in December 2020. Other research demonstrates that this is because of honey’s hydrogen peroxide content.
As a result, you can use honey to kill certain bacteria that can lead to infection, notes a report published in the Saudi Journal of Biological Sciences in April 2021. These bacteria include:
- Escherichia coli (E. coli)
- Enterobacter erogen
- Salmonella typhimurium
- Staphylococcus aureus
2. It Can Support Wound Healing
Similarly, the antibacterial benefits of local, raw honey can also support wound healing, according to Mayo Clinic.
Research shows it can help disinfect a wound, promote tissue repair, and reduce scarring.
3. It’s a Rich Source of Antioxidants
Raw honey is a natural source of antioxidants, which are substances that can protect the body from harmful free radicals and oxidizing agents.
As a result, the antioxidant-related benefits of eating local honey are linked to reduced risk for problems like:
- Heart disease
- Cancer
- Immune system decline
- Cataracts
- Inflammation
There’s also evidence to suggest that dark varieties of honey — like buckwheat, chestnut, and manuka honey — contain more antioxidants than light honey, according to Cleveland Clinic.
4. It Can Soothe Cough Symptoms
Ever drink tea with honey when you have a cold? Well, there’s evidence to back up this natural cough remedy.
According to Mayo Clinic, honey can soothe an irritated throat and act as a cough suppressant when you’re sick.
5. It Might Relieve Digestive Discomfort
Another positive side effect of honey is that it can help ease digestive distress.
According to Mayo Clinic, honey can help treat diarrhea. It may also support rehydration as you recover.
6. It Could Support Brain Health
Honey isn’t just good for your body — it may also be good for your brain.
Indeed, there’s some evidence to suggest that honey has antidepressant, anticonvulsant, and antianxiety qualities, according to Mayo Clinic. It may also help prevent memory disorders, notes a review published in Pharmacognosy Research in April 2017. A study published in 2023 also found that honey contains qualities that make it an antioxidant and anti-inflammatory agent that eventually works as a “brain booster.”
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