The bees are the bees knees. They are master pollinators. According to the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, these busy pollinators “contribute to 35% of the world’s total crop production, pollinating 87 of the world’s 115 major food crops.”
Moreover, they also produced honey, a sweet, sticky natural substance, which they consumed as their own food. It also provides various benefits to humans. Sweet!
May 20 is World Bee Day. We spoke with Kelly Morrow, MS, RDN, FAND, a registered dietitian and clinical affiliate at the University of Washington’s Osher Center for Integrative Medicine, to learn everything you need to know about one of nature’s wonders.
What does honey do to the body?
In addition to being delicious, honey also has health benefits. It’s not just a myth, research shows honey can help relieve sore throats. Additionally, Morrow explains that if the honey is local (contains local allergens), it may help reduce allergies. “Honey contains pollen, which if taken long-term, can help train the immune system to tolerate it,” Morrow said.
Morrow also explains that honey is an antioxidant and anti-inflammatory, and contains trace amounts of B vitamins and minerals.
What are the benefits of honey?
The Mayo Clinic lists the potential benefits of honey:
- The antioxidants in honey may be linked to a lower risk of cardiovascular disease.
- There is evidence that honey may help relieve gastrointestinal conditions, such as diarrhea associated with gastroenteritis.
- This might be good for your brain! Research shows that honey may have antidepressant, anticonvulsant, and antianxiety properties. Some studies even suggest honey can help prevent memory problems.
- Topical application of medical-grade honey has been shown to promote wound healing, especially burn wounds.
Which is healthier, sugar or honey?
“In terms of sugar content, honey is very close to table sugar,” Morrow said. “While there are some studies that suggest it may have less of an impact on blood sugar than sucrose, people with prediabetes, diabetes, or unstable blood sugar need to use it with caution,” Morrow said. And make sure to balance it with some protein and fat. For example, honey-roasted walnuts.”
Are there any potential risks with honey?
Babies should not eat honey because their immune systems may not be ready to fight the bacteria that cause botulism, a paralyzing disease. The CDC says honey is safe for anyone over 1 year old.
Additionally, as Morrow mentioned, the sugar content in honey is comparable to table sugar, which may be a problem if you have diabetes. This also means that a small amount of honey contains a lot of calories. For example, one “scoop” of honey (about one tablespoon) contains 64 calories, which can be supplemented if used regularly or in large amounts.
Conclusion: Is honey good for you? In moderation, yes! If you want to swap honey for sugar in your morning coffee or tea, do it now!