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From immune system to digestion – how honey boosts your health!
Authored by: Kevin Skillström
For thousands of years, honey has been called nature’s own gold, and rightly so! The golden, sweet honey created by bees is more than just a natural sweetener, it is a powerful food packed with nutrition, energy and beneficial properties. Today, modern research confirms much of what our ancestors already knew, that honey can actually contribute to better health in a number of ways.
From strengthening the immune system and soothing digestion, to providing natural energy and promoting a good night’s sleep, honey’s effects go far beyond taste. What’s more, it can be used both internally and externally, as a gentle and natural aid for the skin.
In this article, you will learn more about why honey is so healthy, what is hidden in every drop and how you can use it in your daily life to feel better from the inside out.
Nature’s own gold – what is honey?
Honey is truly nature’s own gold. The sweet, viscous liquid is created by honeybees collecting nectar from flowers or sometimes sweet plant sap left over from aphids, for example. When the bees return to the hive, they process the nectar using their own enzymes and natural lactic acid bacteria. This breaks down the complex sugars into simpler, easily absorbed sugars, and turns the nectar into the honey it has always been.
Fresh honey is always liquid and has a warm, amber color. Over time, it can crystallize and become firmer in consistency, which is completely natural and does not affect the taste or quality. The color of honey can vary from almost white to dark brown, depending on the flowers from which the bees have collected nectar.
Honey is also a very special food chemically. It has a naturally low pH (around 3.9), which makes it slightly acidic and resistant to bacteria. As honey absorbs moisture from the air, it should be stored with a tight-fitting lid. Before sealing the honey in their wax cells, the bees let it dry, so that the water content drops to around 14-18%. In this way, they ‘preserve’ the honey naturally. This makes it one of the world’s most sustainable foods – honey can actually last for many years without spoiling.
A natural source of essential nutrients
Honey is not only a natural sweetener, it contains a large amount of substances that are good for the body. In addition to its natural sugars, mainly fructose and glucose, honey contains small amounts of vitamins, minerals and antioxidants. These include traces of B vitamins, which help the body convert food into energy; potassium, which contributes to normal heart function; magnesium, which supports the muscles and nervous system; and iron and zinc, both of which play important roles in immune function and wound healing.
When honey is raw and unpasteurized, even more of these beneficial substances are preserved, making it both a natural and nutritious part of everyday life. In short, every spoonful of honey contains a small dose of nature’s own power, packed with substances that help the body feel good from the inside out.
Supporting the immune system-this is why honey helps the body resist diseases
Honey has long been used as a natural home remedy for sore throats, coughs and colds, and there are several reasons why it works. Honey contains natural enzymes that bees add when they convert nectar into honey, giving it mild antibacterial properties. This means that honey can help fight certain bacteria in the throat and pharynx, while soothing irritation and reducing discomfort.
Raw, unpasteurized honey is particularly effective because it preserves more of the beneficial enzymes and antioxidants. The antioxidants in honey help the body protect its cells from harmful substances, thus supporting a balanced immune system. This is also one reason why honey has been traditionally used as a mild tonic for the body during cold seasons.
In addition to its chemical properties, honey also works mechanically. It coats and soothes the throat, reducing irritation and can relieve coughs, especially at night. This gives the body a better chance to rest and recover, which is important for the immune system to function as well as possible. An easy way to benefit from honey’s properties is to take a spoonful directly, mix it in tea with hot water and lemon, or use it in smoothies. It’s a delicious, natural and gentle way to give your body extra support when it needs it most, without feeling like medicine.
The effect of honey on digestion
Honey is not only a sweet and tasty addition to the diet, it can also be a real aid to digestion. One of the main benefits is honey’s content of natural enzymes, which help the body break down sugars and other nutrients. By facilitating digestion, the nutrients are easier for the body to absorb, allowing the energy in food to be used more efficiently. This is one of the reasons why honey is often recommended as an easily digestible alternative, even for children and people with sensitive stomachs.
Again, raw, unpasteurized honey is particularly valuable because it contains natural lactic acid bacteria, or probiotics, which can contribute to a balanced gut flora. Healthy gut flora is not only important for digestion, but it also affects the body’s overall well-being, energy and even mood. Honey can therefore act as a small but powerful support for the gut, while being mild and easily digestible.
Honey can also have a calming effect on the stomach for minor ailments. It is sweet but natural and free of harsh additives, making it gentle on the stomach. Many people find that a spoonful of honey, or honey in tea with hot water and lemon, can ease the discomfort of mild gastritis or digestive problems. The combination of honey’s enzymes, probiotics and its natural sweetness make it a gentle aid that is easily absorbed by the body. In short, honey is more than just something sweet. It helps the body break down food, supports the intestinal flora, can soothe the stomach and energizes in a natural way. In other words, every spoonful of honey is a small but valuable aid to digestion and overall body health.
A natural energy boost
Honey is not only sweet and tasty, it is also a quick and natural source of energy for the body. It contains mainly fructose and glucose, two sugars that are quickly absorbed into the bloodstream and provide the body with energy almost instantly. Unlike refined sugar or energy drinks, honey also provides small amounts of vitamins, minerals and antioxidants, giving your body more than just calories.
Many people turn to coffee, energy drinks or sweets when they need quick energy. Coffee works by stimulating the nervous system with caffeine, making you feel more alert, but it provides no real nutrition and can cause heart palpitations or anxiety in caffeine-sensitive people. Energy drinks often contain high amounts of sugar and synthetic additives that raise blood sugar quickly, but can also lead to a ‘crash’ when the effect wears off. Candy and other sweets work in much the same way, providing quick energy but lacking nutrients that the body can use in a more sustainable way.
Honey is different in several ways. Because it is made up of natural sugars combined with enzymes, antioxidants and minerals, energy is absorbed more evenly and the body can use it more efficiently. A spoonful of honey before exercise or an active day can provide a gentle energy boost without the sharp peaks and troughs that often accompany refined sugar or energy drinks.
In addition, honey can be mixed into smoothies, tea or oatmeal, making it easy to include in everyday life. It works both as a quick energy boost when you need it and as a small nutritional boost, making it a smarter option for those who want both taste and function in the same spoon.
Honey helps you sleep better and reduce stress
Did you know that honey can be a small help on the way to a calmer evening and better sleep? Honey contains natural sugars that raise blood sugar levels slightly, which in turn can help stimulate the release of melatonin, the body’s sleep hormone. Melatonin helps the body unwind and signals that it is time to sleep. Taking a small spoonful of honey before bed, or mixing it into a hot tea, can therefore make it easier to fall asleep and sleep more soundly.
But the effects don’t stop there. Honey can also help reduce stress levels. Natural antioxidants in honey help the body deal with free radicals and stress, which can have a mild calming effect. Combining honey with hot beverages such as tea or milk also provides a pleasant ritual that signals to the body that it is time to relax.
Research also shows that honey can relieve coughs and throat irritation at night, often leading to more restful sleep. So even small habits like taking a spoonful of honey can provide both physical and mental comfort, making it easier to unwind after a stressful day.
A simple evening routine with honey for better sleep!
1. take a small spoonful of honey before bedtime
2. Mix honey into a cup of hot tea, preferably with some lemon or ginger, for an extra calming effect.
3. Stir honey into warm milk or a plant-based drink like oat milk for a mild evening drink.
4. create a routine: the same time every night, calm music or lighting candles along with the honey, can help the body signal that it’s time to unwind.
Skin care from the inside out
Honey is not only a food, it can also be a little hero for the skin. Thanks to its natural antioxidants, enzymes and minerals, honey can help keep skin healthy and well, both when used in food and directly on the skin. The antioxidants help protect the skin against harmful free radicals that can cause ageing and tired skin, while the natural enzymes have mild antibacterial properties that can counteract minor skin irritations and pimples.
Eating honey regularly provides the body with small amounts of nutrients such as B vitamins, potassium and magnesium, all of which are important for skin function and cell renewal. In this way, honey can contribute to healthier skin from the inside, while providing the body with natural energy and nourishment.
Honey can also be used topically as a gentle and natural skincare product. It acts as an emollient mask to help moisturize the skin, soothe irritation and add radiance. A simple home treatment is to mix honey with a little yogurt or oatmeal and apply as a face mask for 10-15 minutes. Honey can also be used on small wounds or dry patches for its soothing and moisturizing effect.
The most important thing about honey on a spoon!
Honey is more than just something sweet on your sandwich or in your tea, it’s like a little powerhouse in every spoonful. It fills the body with natural energy, essential nutrients and substances that help digestion, skin and even sleep. Thanks to honey’s natural enzymes and antioxidants, the body is better equipped to take care of itself, from the inside out.
Raw, unpasteurized honey contains vitamins and minerals such as B vitamins, potassium, magnesium, iron and zinc – substances that act like tiny building blocks for the body, providing energy, supporting muscle and cell renewal, and helping digestion run smoothly. The probiotic effect of honey also contributes to a balanced intestinal flora, which makes the stomach happy and the mood lighter.
Unlike coffee or energy drinks, honey provides a smoothly rising energy, without rapid peaks and sudden troughs. Its mild antibacterial effect and natural antioxidants act as the body’s own little guardians, supporting health in a natural way.
Make honey a natural part of your everyday life, stir it into your tea, smoothie or oatmeal, or try a small face mask for your skin. With honey in your diet or on your skin, you get a tasty, natural supplement that gives your body energy, balance and well-being, every day. You can find honey at Aroniabutiken under the honey category. We love honey!