The health benefits of honey

The health benefits of honey depend much more on the quality of the honey than does that of most other foods. This is because the nutrients that honey provides are dependent on the types of plants and flowers the bees used to make the honey. The nutrients of honey can be as diverse as those plants as well.

Raw honey is considered by far the most healthy form honey can take because honey processing removes many of the phytonutrients that make it so nutritious.

Here are 9 health benefits of honey:

Cancer Prevention
Honey supplies and supports antioxidants that combat free radical damage, a condition associated with many types of cancer. Research is on going as to the effectiveness honey may have on treating and preventing cancer. Though many researchers suggest honey be taken alongside other cancer treatments and tout how its diverse health benefits aid cancer prevention, so far reports are inconclusive.

Antioxidants
Studies show that daily consumption of honey raises the level of protective antioxidants in the blood. It provides flavonoids, including pinocembrin, an antioxidant compound unique to honey. Pinocembrin is undergoing many studies regarding its ability to combat bacteria and reduce inflammation.

Immune System Support
The many vitamins, phytonutrients and antioxidants found in honey suggest that it can stimulate the immune system. Research shows that raw honey is a much more effective immune booster than that of processed honey.

Boosts Energy
The natural sugars and carbohydrates in honey make it an effective, natural energy booster.

Antiseptic
Applied topically, honey is a proven antiseptic that can help heal wounds and prevent infection.

Antiviral & Antibacterial
The enzymes and antioxidants in honey that make it such an effective antiseptic, also give it antiviral and antibacterial properties as well. Taken internally, honey can help fight off viral infections and help treat the symptoms of cold, flu, bronchitis and more.

Antifungal
Topically, honey has been shown to fight fungal agents like ringworm and other skin conditions.

Skin Health
Aside from being useful in treating skin conditions like dermatitis, honey has been used to treat acne as well.

Healthiest Sweetener
In studies with patients suffering from high cholesterol and type-2 diabetes, honey proved to be a less risky and even slightly healthy option compared to refined cane sugar and artificial sweetener. Honey can actually help reduce cholesterol levels slightly and raises glucose levels only slightly compared to that of cane sugar and artificial sugar.