India Herbs

OH SWEET HONEY

Publication: The Star

Date: 15 October 2006

HONEY is a sweet treat, and is very likely the world’s most ancient sweetener.  But that is only the tip of the iceberg. Honey’s popularity and versatility is evident from the variety of uses it has enjoyed throughout history.

Honey’s rich nutrient, enzyme and antioxidant content combined with its ability to thwart infections makes it a potent healer.  Since ancient times, honey has also been used as a natural beauty agent. 

In Ayurveda, honey is considered highly nutritious and of medicinal value.  ‘Madhu’, as it is referred to in this ancient science, is believed to be very good for eyesight, for quenching thirst, dissolving phlegm, reducing effects of poisons, stopping hiccups, treating urinary tract disorders, worm infestations, bronchial asthma, cough, diarrhoea, nausea, vomiting, for cleansing and healing wounds and many more health benefits.

Honey is composed primarily of carbohydrates and water, and also contains small amounts of a wide array of vitamins and minerals, including niacin, riboflavin, pantothenic acid, calcium, copper, iron, magnesium, manganese, phosphorus, potassium and zinc, as revealed in today’s research on honey.  Honey is also a rich source of enzymes, antioxidants and other phytonutrients.  Honey contains a variety of flavonoids and phenolic acids, which act as antioxidants, scavenging and eliminating free radicals.  These antioxidant substances found in honey have been shown to be responsible for the antimicrobial and wound-healing properties of honey. 

Other phytonutrients found in honey, including caffeic acid, methyl caffeate, phenylethyl caffeate and phenylethyl dimethylcaffeate, have been shown to possess cancer-preventing and anti-tumour properties.  The wound-healing properties of honey may be its most promising medicinal quality.  The wound-healing properties of honey may, however, be its most promising medicinal quality.  Honey has been used topically as an antiseptic therapeutic agent for the treatment of ulcers, burns and wounds for centuries.  Positive findings on honey in wound care have been reported in 17 randomised controlled trials involving a total of 1965 participants, and five clinical trials of other forms involving 97 participants treated with honey.  The effectiveness of honey in assisting wound healing has also been demonstrated in 16 trials on a total of 533 wounds on experimental animals. There is also a large amount of evidence in the form of case studies that have been reported. It has been shown to give good results on a very wide range of types of wounds.  Several mechanisms have been proposed for the wound-healing benefits that are observed when honey is applied topically.  Because honey is composed mainly of glucose and fructose, two sugars that strongly attract water, honey absorbs water from the wound, drying it out so that the growth of bacteria and fungi are inhibited (these microorganisms thrive in a moist environment). 

Secondly, raw honey contains an enzyme called glucose oxidase that, when combined with water, produces hydrogen peroxide, a mild antiseptic.  In addition to the specific enzymes found in honey, which may help in the healing process, honey also contains antioxidants and flavonoids that may function as antibacterial agents.  Darker honeys, specifically honey from buckwheat flowers, sage and tupelo, contain a greater amount of antioxidants than other honeys, and raw, unprocessed honey contains the widest variety of health-supportive substances.  

Other health benefits of honey

Honey contains vitamins, minerals, and amino acids, and is a wonderful beauty aid that nourishes the skin and the hair.  Honey has the ability to attract water, which makes it a good moisturising agent.  Honey is also a natural cleanser and is used in many skin-cleansing formulations.  It increases exfoliation, or renewal of the skin cells, and can give skin a younger, more vibrant look.  Its anti-inflammatory actions also render it useful in treating a sore throat.  Recent research has shown that intake of honey is associated with enhanced calcium uptake in laboratory animals.  While trials in humans are pending, these results show that honey can be beneficial in cases of osteoporosis. 

It is well known that carbohydrate consumption prior to, during and after exercise improves performance and speeds the recovery of muscles. Honey is a natural source of readily available carbohydrates, providing 17 grams of carbohydrates per tablespoon and may serve as an inexpensive alternative to commercial sports gels.  Honey also acts as an excellent prebiotic substance in that it increases the growth and activity of good bacteria in the gut. Results from recent studies have shown that adding honey to dairy products such as yogurt can enhance the growth, activity, and viability of bifidobacteria.  In a study by Al-Waili, consumption of honey was found to increase antioxidant agents, serum iron, blood indices and trace elements, while decreasing immunoglobulin E, liver and muscle enzymes, and fasting blood sugar in healthy subjects. 

Honey helps diabetics too.  In another study by Al-Waili involving diabetic patients, honey compared with dextrose caused a significantly lower rise of plasma glucose level (PGL).  Honey has been shown to reduce blood lipids, homocysteine, and C-reactive protein in normal and hyperlipidaemic subjects.  Given that honey has a gentler effect on blood sugar levels on a per gram basis, and tastes sweeter than sucrose so that fewer grams would be consumed, it would seem prudent to recommend honey over sucrose. 

So the next time you want to perk up your sweet tooth, go on and scoop out a spoonful of honey – it will rev up your health too. 

References:

1. Gheldof N, Wang XH, Engeseth NJ. Identification and quantification of antioxidant components of honeys from various floral sources. J Agric Food Chem. 2002 Oct 9;50(21):5870-7.

2. Wahdan HA. Causes of the antimicrobial activity of honey. Infection. 1998 Jan-Feb;26(1):26-31. 

3. Molan PC. The evidence supporting the use of honey as a wound dressing. Int J Low Extrem Wounds. 2006 Mar;5(1):40-54.

4. Henriques A, Jackson S, Cooper R, Burton N. Free radical production and quenching in honeys with wound healing potential. J Antimicrob Chemother. 2006 Oct;58(4):773-7.

5. Chow J.Probiotics and prebiotics: A brief overview. J Ren Nutr. 2002 Apr;12(2):76-86.

6. Al-Waili NS. Effects of daily consumption of honey solution on hematological indices and blood levels of minerals and enzymes in normal individuals. J Med Food. 2003 Summer;6(2):135-40.

7. Al-Waili NS.Natural honey lowers plasma glucose, C-reactive protein, homocysteine, and blood lipids in healthy, diabetic, and hyperlipidemic subjects: comparison with dextrose and sucrose. J Med Food. 2004 Spring;7(1):100-7.

8. Shambaugh P, Worthington V, Herbert JH. Differential effects of honey, sucrose, and fructose on blood sugar levels. J Manipulative Physiol Ther. 1990 Jul-Aug;13(6):322-5.
 

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