Why Honey Should Be Your New Sugar SubstituteBy Nicole Stevenson [Nutrition & Diet]
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 Perhaps the most surprising benefit to honey is one that doesn’t require ingestion. This ancient superfood has been used throughout the ages to help heal wounds. Instead of spreading it on your toast, try spreading honey on a cut or burn. Both the glucose and the fructose in honey attract water and thus keep the bacteria-laden moisture out of wounds while drawing moisture into the skin around wounds, promoting new skin cell growth and limiting scarring. Honey contains an enzyme that creates a slow release of hydrogen peroxide, which provides its antimicrobial nature. It allows for quick and easy removal of bandages, without tearing any skin or allowing for any scabs, and it reduces pain and swelling, promoting the healing of wounds. You will likely not get much out of commercially produced honey, however, so stick with the raw variety, particularly the highly antibacterial Manuka honey. In one study, 91 per cent of burns treated with honey were free from infection, compared to seven per cent of conventionally treated burns. How Sweet It Is If honey is stored in a cool dry place in an airtight container, it can stay good forever, as its high sugar content and acidic pH will prevent microorganism growth. Choose the closest to 100 per cent raw honey you can find in order to reap the health benefits of this delicious sweetener. The darker the colour, the stronger the flavour and the more opaque the honey, the less processed it is. Because honey is sweeter than sugar, you only need to substitute about one half of a cup for each cup of sugar called for in any recipe in order to make your sweetener work for you. Instead of reaching for artificial sweeteners in the morning, add a tablespoon of honey to your tea, toast or plain yogurt, or add a dollop to warm water and lemon for a weight-reducing drink. Any way you serve it, the product of a few busy bees can help promote a healthier you. Photo: Wikimedia Commons Sources: whfoods.com benefits-of-honey.com billybee.com organicfacts.net naturalhealthezine.com foodnavigator-usa.com |
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