Health benefits of honey

The health benefits of honey

With zero fat, no additives and a variety of natural goodies such as powerful antioxidants, there are many reasons to add honey to your everyday diet.

Honey has long been recognised as having unique properties that can assist with wellbeing and getting the most out of life - some more so than others (we're looking at you mānuka) - and is widely used as a natural remedy by cultures around the world. While researchers seek ways to uncover and further understand the various qualities of honey including its antiseptic, antioxidant and antibacterial properties, consumers continue to enjoy the benefits every day.

Honey provides a mix of minerals including calcium, magnesium and phosphorus, as well as enzymes and trace elements of iron, zinc and selenium. Honey also tastes sweeter than regular sugar; with one teaspoon of honey having the same sweetness as two teaspoons of sugar, it’s a perfect substitute in drinks and cooking.

Mānuka honey is often cited in discussions on the health benefits of honey, with users claiming it assists digestive problems. As a natural food, UMF® mānuka honey helps to feed the good bacteria in our gut, allowing them to flourish and support the digestive system.

Honey can also be a great benefit for sports or physical activities. The glucose in honey is absorbed quickly to provide immediate energy, while the fructose is absorbed over time to offer sustained energy delivery. In fact, honey has been proven to sustain blood sugar levels for longer periods than refined sugar, sports gels and carbohydrate snacks, meaning it’s equally beneficial to athletes, recreational sports players and anyone wanting to avoid the ‘crash’ of sugar products.

Which honey and how much honey should you take?

People use mānuka honey in a variety of ways, depending on the effect you need most. You can eat it straight from the jar, mix it into a glass of warm water and drink it, or try one of our delicious recipes. For sore throats, dissolve a teaspoon of mānuka honey in your mouth. Some people even use it as a face wash to treat acne!

For general health and wellbeing, try a teaspoon (10g) per day in your favourite form. For this purpose, we recommend a UMF 10+ mānuka honey. If you’re looking for a more targeted effect, or to boost your energy during the winter months, choose a higher UMF level such as 15+, with greater concentration of MGO.

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