Honey: Is it just a natural sweetener?

HEALTH & FITNESS

Honey is a delicious and natural sweetener many of us love and are familiar with. Do we really know how important it is?

In this article, I will tell you the types, functions of honey.

For those looking to eat a fewer processed  food, honey may seem like a good natural choice as a sweetener.

Honey is a sweet food
made by bees foraging nectar
from flowers. The variety
produced by honey bees is the
one most commonly referred to, as it is the
type of honey collected by most beekeepers
and consumed by people.

Most commercial honey sold in stores is heated to high temperatures and pasteurized, getting rid of most of the beneficial enzymes, antioxidants and other nutrients that are heat-sensitive. Commercial honey also has had most of the pollen removed. Bee pollen is considered to be one of the most nutritionally-complete food available due to its high amino acid and antioxidant content.

Although most commercial honey is not beneficial to your health, raw honey has multiple health benefits. RAW HONEY is unheated, unprocessed, and unpasteurized. Therefore, it is able to keep all of it's nutrients intact, as they are not destroyed by processing.

Raw honey contains bee pollen, has a high content of antimicrobial agents, and is full of antioxidants. It will generally have a comb included in the jar along with the honey. Since its not processed, it will usually crystallize easily and may not be in an easy to use liquid form. It will also usually not be clear, as we are used commercial honey, but may be a little cloudy due to the pollen and nutrient content.  The best way to buy raw honey is from local honey producers in your area. Many larger farmer's market may have a honey stand which may offer raw honey. Raw honey will likely be more expensive than traditional honey, so be prepared. Make sure to ask questions about where the honey is sourced from and if it has been processed. In the next article, I will be bringing you type of honey and its uses. Be sure to keep a date with me tomorrow. Comment, like, share to friends. Thanks. Sources: Honey.com, Google Search, The Healing Power of African Herbs and Fruits by 1000C.F.A