Stir honey into coffee or tea. Drizzle honey on top of toast or pancakes. Mix honey into yogurt, cereal, or oatmeal for a more natural sweetener. Spread raw honey over whole grain toast and top with peanut butter.
Daily consumption of honey has a beneficial effect on the level of antioxidant compounds in the body that can fight excess cholesterol. Research shows that the antioxidants contained in honey can prevent arteries from narrowing.
Usually the doctors recommend honey to be taken empty stomach early in the morning as it gives an instant kick and energy boost which is enough to counter an entire day. Also, while going to bed, a spoonful of honey not only gives a good night's sleep but also helps in digestion and relaxation of mind and body.
“Honey should be treated like all added sugars, something to include in your diet carefully and kept to a minimum,” Keating says. The American Heart Association recommends that men consume no more than nine teaspoons (36 grams) per day; women and children, no more than six teaspoons (24 grams) daily.
Raw and unfiltered honey can hydrate your skin, soothe your throat, help heal wounds and sweeten everything it touches, but it can also help you get a sweet night's sleep. Raw honey, eaten just before bed, helps you snooze in two general ways: It provides easy-to-access fuel for your brain throughout the night.
Consuming two tablespoons of honey a day can offer health benefits such as antioxidants, better wound healing, and anti-inflammatory properties. A spoonful of honey (about 21 grams) has the following nutritional content: Energy: 64 kcal. Fructose (a type of carbohydrate): 8.6 grams.
Honey is still a form of sugar and intake should be moderate. The American Heart Association recommends that women get no more than 100 calories a day from added sugars; men no more than 150 calories a day. This is a little over two tablespoons for women and three tablespoons for men.
Using Honey In Your Tea
One teaspoon of honey per cup of tea is a good rule of thumb. Make sure to add the honey after the leaves have had a chance to steep and the water has cooled slightly.
Thanks to its antibacterial, antiviral, anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties, manuka honey can be used to help treat wounds, improve your oral health, soothe a sore throat and treat ulcers and acne.
A common concern when adding honey to hot water is that it might become poisonous. However, this is not the case! The temperatures reached when boiling water are not high enough to change the chemical structure of honey. So rest assured, your honey tea will be perfectly safe to drink.
Therefore, honey, as it has anti-inflammatory activity, may contribute positively to the prevention of metabolic and cardiovascular diseases particularly in case honey mixed with other healthy foods.
Pure honey is taken from the hive and gently filtered to remove all nasties (dirt, pollen, dead bugs), before being packaged. Raw honey however is taken directly from the hive without any filtration and placed into its packaging.
Honey should never be consumed with non-vegetarian items, especially fish and meat. Nor should honey be eaten one hour before and one hour after eating these things. Consuming honey with meat and fish is considered harmful for health since this can lead to white spots and other stomach-related problems.
Overconsumption of honey may lead to weight gain, allergies, infant botulism (a serious gastrointestinal condition that occurs in infants up to age 12 months), high blood sugar levels, diarrhea, food poisoning, bleeding, and tooth decay. Hence, take it in moderation to avoid any reactions.
However, honey itself is another form of sugar, and it should be consumed only in moderation, experts say. Studies show added sugars can be empty calories that increase the risk for obesity, heart disease, high blood pressure and cavities.
The use of Honey for Arthritis has proven to be miraculous. Honey is known for its antibacterial traits and is gaining popularity in reducing joint inflammation and provides a natural form of relief.
Although you can add it to smoothies, oatmeal or yoghurt, the best way to take Manuka Honey is straight from the jar. It is recommended to take it once in the morning and once at night. It is safe to have 2 to 4 teaspoons (10 to 20 mL) of Manuka Honey daily, but always remember to moderate how much you consume.
Best Overall – Manukora Raw Manuka Honey
Manukora Raw Manuka Honey is our top pick. This Manuka honey comes in many different levels of purity, which allows you to calibrate both your potency and find a manuka that works for your budget. We especially like the high level of traceability the brand offers.
Honey, when mixed with hot water, can become toxic
Turns out, honey should never be warmed, cooked, or heated under any condition. A study published in the journal AYU found that at a temperature of 140 degrees, honey turns toxic. When you mix honey in hot milk or water, it turns hot and turns toxic.
"Ayurveda explains that warm honey is a slow poison that causes “ama” or toxicity in the body and its properties turn to that of a poison once inside the body. Ama is a condition where the mucous and toxicity of the body increases leading to many diseases," says Dr Radhamony.
Honey in coffee is a great way to add sweetness without the need for refined or processed sugars. Yes, it does add to your overall sugar intake, but it's a better alternative. Honey is also said to have a slightly lower glycemic index compared to regular sugar.
Manuka honey may treat inflammatory skin conditions, heal wounds, and improve oral health. Do not use manuka honey if you have diabetes, an allergy to bees, or are under the age of one.
A maximum of two teaspoons a day (15g) is a good portion size of manuka honey, as while it has many impressive health benefits, it is still high in sugar. If you are using manuka honey as part of a balanced diet, try drizzling it over porridge, overnight oats or natural yogurt.