As we head into the last few weeks of the year, chances are your calendar will be full soon, if it isn’t already! There are people to connect with, trips to take, holiday celebrations to plan, and year-end work deadlines to meet, all piled on top of your normal day-to-day tasks.
With so much to do and so little time, it’s no wonder so many of us feel exhausted and run down by the time we flip the calendar to a new year. And, of course, with so much stress and so little sleep, it’s inevitable that we are all going to have at least a few days where we feel under the weather. In order to help yourself out on days like that, we recommend keeping a bottle of raw honey on hand. Why? Let us tell you.
The Health Benefits of Honey
Honey is loved for its sweetness all around the world, and its various health benefits have earned it the title of superfood. Here are four of the amazing benefits honey has to offer your health.
1. It Contains a Wide Range of Nutrients
Honey contains a variety of nutrients such as vitamins C, B5, B3, and B2 as well as important minerals like calcium, copper, iron, magnesium, manganese, phosphorus, potassium, and zinc. Additionally, honey is also packed with plant compounds known as polyphenols. Research has found that these polyphenols can act as powerful antioxidants, which help neutralize free radicals and reduce oxidative stress that could otherwise damage your cells and lead to a variety of health conditions.
2. It Can Help Boost Immunity
This colder time of year can often leave you feeling far from your best. Luckily, honey may be the simple and cost-effective solution we’ve all been looking for to help keep our bodies feeling their best. Research shows that honey can boost your immune system by promoting the regeneration of natural killer cells and the generation of both short-chain fatty acids and antibodies. What’s more? Even when you are feeling under the weather, be it a small tickle in your throat or a persistent cough, a little bit of honey may be just what you need to give you some relief so you can get the rest your body needs to recover!
3. It Has Antimicrobial Properties
In addition to its immunomodulatory compounds, honey also is known to have antibacterial effects, which is why it has been used in various medicinal practices for centuries. In fact, studies have found that honey, when applied topically, can accelerate the healing process. While researchers are still trying to uncover the exact mechanisms that cause its antimicrobial effects, it’s thought to be a combination of honey’s sugar content and its low pH levels.
4. It Helps Regulate Appetite
Honey can help you keep your appetite in check and encourage you to avoid overeating during this busy holiday season. Studies have shown that taking honey delays the response of the hormone ghrelin, which is often called the “hunger hormone” because it is responsible for signaling your brain when it’s time for you to eat. By delaying the response of this hunger hormone, honey can be an effective way to help you manage both your appetite and weight.
Adding Honey To Your Diet
On top of all of its health benefits, honey also comes with the big advantage of being easy to add to your diet. Here are a few of our favorite ways to do just that.
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Add it to water. Simply mix a spoonful of honey in lukewarm water and then drink it. For even more benefit, squeeze a bit of lemon in to make a delicious “honey lemonade.”
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Mix it in your tea. Honey is a fabulous and natural alternative to sugar or artificial sweeteners, so go ahead and add it to your favorite type of tea.
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Add it to milk for a bedtime treat. We all know that a warm glass of milk can help you relax and fall asleep at night, and adding some honey to that glass can enhance those effects.
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Mix it in your salad dressing. Take a spoonful or two of honey and add it to some lemon juice, olive oil, or sesame oil to create your own salad dressing. You can even prepare some dressing in advance and store it in the fridge for a week or two.
- Add it to a smoothie. That smoothie you blend up for breakfast can be infused with some honey to kickstart your day with a nutritious punch.
A Healthier Approach To Life
You deserve to feel your best during this busy holiday season and beyond, and adding honey to your diet can help you do just that. So go ahead, join us in living the #NewEarthLife by keeping a bottle of honey on hand this winter.