African Food

We process honey because honey has been used as both a food and a medicine.
It's very high in beneficial plant compounds and offers several health benefits.
Benefits
1. Honey Contains Some Nutrients
Honey is a sweet, thick liquid made by honeybees.
The bees collect sugar mainly the sugar-rich nectar of flowers from their environment .
Once inside the beehive, they repeatedly consume, digest and regurgitate the nectar.
The end product is honey, a liquid that serves as stored food for bees. The smell, color and taste depend on the types of flowers visited.
Nutritionally, 1 tablespoon of honey (*1 grams) contains *4 calories and *7 grams of sugar, including fructose, glucose, maltose and sucrose.
It contains virtually no fiber, fat or protein.
It also contains trace amounts under 1% of the RDI of several vitamins and minerals, but you would have to eat many pounds to fulfill your daily requirements.
Where honey shines is in its content of bioactive plant compounds and antioxidants. Darker types tend to be even higher in these compounds than lighter types .
2. High-Quality Honey Is Rich in Antioxidants
High-quality honey contains many important antioxidants. These include organic acids and phenolic compounds like flavonoids.
The combination of these compounds gives honey its antioxidant power.
Interestingly, two studies have shown that buckwheat honey increases the antioxidant value of your blood.
Antioxidants have been linked to reduced risk of heart attacks, strokes and some types of cancer. They may also promote eye health.
3. Honey Is "Less Bad" Than Sugar for Diabetics
The evidence on honey and diabetes is mixed.
On one hand, it can reduce several risk factors for heart disease common in people with type 2 diabetes.
While honey may be slightly better than refined sugar for people with diabetes, it should still be consumed with caution.
In fact, people with diabetes may do best by minimizing all high-carb foods
4. The Antioxidants in It Can Help Lower Blood Pressure
Blood pressure is an important risk factor for heart disease, and honey may help lower it.
This is because it contains antioxidant compounds that have been linked to lower blood pressure.
Humans have shown modest reductions in blood pressure from consuming honey.
5. Honey Also Helps Improve Cholesterol
High LDL cholesterol levels is a strong risk factor for heart disease.
This type of cholesterol plays a major role in atherosclerosis, the fatty buildup in your arteries that can lead to heart attacks and strokes.
Interestingly, several studies show that honey may improve your cholesterol levels.
It reduces total and bad LDL cholesterol while significantly raising good HDL cholesterol.
6. Honey Can Lower Triglycerides
Elevated blood triglycerides are another risk factor for heart disease.
They are also associated with insulin resistance, a major driver of type 2 diabetes.
Triglyceride levels tend to increase on a diet high in sugar and refined carbs.
Interestingly, multiple studies have linked regular honey consumption with lower triglyceride levels, especially when it is used to replace sugar.
7. The Antioxidants in It Are Linked to Other Beneficial Effects on Heart Health
Again, honey is a rich source of phenols and other antioxidant compounds. Many of these have been linked to a reduced risk of heart disease.
They may help the arteries in your heart dilate, increasing blood flow to your heart. They may also help prevent blood clot formation, which can lead to heart attacks and strokes .
8. Honey Promotes Burn and Wound Healing
Topical honey treatment has been used to heal wounds and burns since ancient Egypt and is still common today.
Topical honey healed a whopping *7% of patients diabetic ulcers.
Honeys healing powers come from its antibacterial and anti-inflammatory effects as well as its ability to nourish surrounding tissue.
What's more, it can help treat other skin conditions, including psoriasis and herpes lesions.
Manuka honey is considered especially effective for treating burn wounds.
9. Honey Can Help Suppress Coughs in Children
Coughing is a common problem for children with upper respiratory infections.
These infections can affect sleep and quality of life for both children and parents.
However, mainstream medications for cough are not always effective and can have side effects. Interestingly, honey may be a better choice, and evidence indicates it is very effective.
One study found that honey worked better than two common cough medications. It reduced cough symptoms and improved sleep more than cough medication.
*0. It's Delicious, But Still High in Calories and Sugar
Honey is a delicious, healthier alternative to sugar.
Make sure to choose a high-quality brand, because some lower-quality ones may be mixed with syrup.
Keep in mind that honey should only be consumed in moderation, as it is still high in calories and sugar.