Sweeten Your Days With Honey
By Donna Stark
The question always comes up when you make yourself a cup of hot tea. Should you use sugar or honey to sweeten it? And even though you already know that sugar isn't the best choice to make, you also aren't sure if honey is any better. Most people think that honey is the healthier of the two, but are they correct? Well, up to a point, they are. Honey does have some health benefits that sugar does not, but it is still a sweetener and you need to watch your intake of it. Let's take a look at the benefits and downsides of honey below.
Benefits of Honey
Honey has been used for centuries and can definitely make your life a little sweeter in so many ways. Here are just a few of the health benefits that you can get from this golden treat.
- Helps fight infection - With antiseptic and antibacterial properties, honey can be used to fight infection in minor cuts and common skin problems, such as burns, dermatitis, and eczema
- Helps digestion - Honey helps with digestion by providing your body with good bacteria and anti-inflammatory properties
- Helps the heart - The powerful antioxidants in honey have been shown to reduce blood pressure, cholesterol, and the risk of heart disease
- Helps settle a cough - If you are looking for an effective and natural replacement for cough medicine, honey could be your solution
Keep in mind that not all kinds of honeys are the same though. To receive the maximum number of health benefits, you should buy raw, high-quality honey. Commercial honey will oftentimes have additional sugars in it.
Downside to Honey
When you take a look at the health benefits that honey provides, it's easy to forget that you should still use it sparingly. Remember, honey is sugar. It may be a healthier version of sugar, but it's still sugar and consuming too much of it can wreak havoc on your health. But the most important thing about honey that you should keep in mind, is that it is not safe for children under the age of one.
Incorporating Honey Into Your Diet
Now that you know the good and bad sides of honey, you can decide how much you would like to incorporate into your diet. Here are some suggestions to get you started.
- Mix your own salad dressings with it
- Add it to your tea or morning smoothies
- Drizzle it on top of toast, oatmeal, or pancakes
- Use it as a sweetener substitution for baked goods
No matter how you choose to add honey into your life, you certainly won't be disappointed! So go ahead and give it a try. It's too sweet of a treat to pass up.
To learn more about your health, wellness, and fitness, see your local chiropractor at The Joint Chiropractic in Glendale, Ariz.