For centuries, honey has been used in folk medicine for therapeutic effects, particularly as a cough suppressant. Some research supports this benefit: A meta-analysis of 14 studies, for example, found that honey was superior to usual treatments for upper respiratory tract infections.
Other research has concluded that honey is as effective as the prescription medication dextromethorphan in decreasing acute cough in children. “The evidence in adults is less robust, but the soothing effect on the throat may explain why many people find it helpful,” Sarris says.
Beyond cough relief, honey has antimicrobial and wound-healing properties when used topically in medical settings, particularly for burns and infected wounds.
Like maple syrup, honey has antioxidants, such as flavonoids and phenolic acids, which may be responsible for honey’s medicinal effects. “However, the quantities consumed in a typical serving [of honey] are too small to provide meaningful antioxidant benefits,” Sarris says.
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