For thousands of years, humans have prized honey for its sweet taste and also used it as traditional medicine. This sweet liquid gold is more than a sweetener and provides an array of health benefits. Raw and unprocessed honey is more nutritious and provides a wide variety of enzymes, vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, and nutrients. Unpasteurized honey is more healthful and does not contain any artificial additives.
Difference Between Raw and Processed Honey
- Raw honey is extracted from the beehive and then strained by pouring it through a nylon cloth or mesh to separate impurities like beeswax, and dead bees. Once strained, the honey is bottled and ready to eat, bypassing the processing method.
- Pasteurization involves heating the honey to kill yeast cells that can affect its shelf-life, taste and make it look more clear, and transparent. However, processing honey may affect the number of nutrients like enzymes, pollen, and antioxidants in the honey.
- Raw honey has a wide range of vitamins and enzymes, amino acids, and approximately 31 different minerals. It also contains different types of bioactive plant compounds called polyphenols, which act as antioxidants. Conversely, processed honey contains very few antioxidants, enzymes, bacteria, and nutrients due to the commercial processing method.
- Pollen is responsible for most of the health benefits of honey. Studies show that pollen can fight inflammation, and also improve liver function. Processing honey removes the bee pollen.
- Regular honey contains added sugars like high fructose corn syrup. Whereas raw honey does not contain any added sugars or sweeteners.
- Glucose oxidase is an important enzyme present in honey which gives honey its antibacterial and antimicrobial properties. But this enzyme gets destroyed by heating and filtering.
- Pasteurized honey does not crystallize as it is heated to a certain temperature to slow down the crystallization process. Crystallization is in fact a sign that the honey is raw and unprocessed.
- Raw honey and regular honey vary in texture and color. The color of raw honey can change depending on what flowers the bees pollinated. Raw honey is cloudier than the processed honey because of the presence of honeycomb debris.
- Unlike processed honey, raw honey does not ferment in the stomach and aggravate the digestive tract.
- Raw honey is more nutritious and contains a huge variety of nutrients. But, because of the presence of spores of the bacteria Clostridium botulinum, it can be dangerous for infants. Therefore, children under one year shouldn’t be given raw honey. However, it is safe for healthy adults to consume raw honey.
Benefits of Raw Honey
1. Heals wounds, burns and fights infection
Honey has been used for centuries to heal wounds and burns, due to its antibacterial, antioxidant, and antifungal properties. Raw honey has been found to destroy bacteria that infect and penetrate the site of the wound. It can also kill unwanted fungus and aid in tissue regeneration. Also, studies reveal that honey can be beneficial in healing partial-thickness burns. Additionally, raw honey can also help treat many skin conditions like herpes sores, psoriasis, etc. Research shows that raw honey can kill pathogens like E.Coli, Staphylococcus aureus, and H. pylori.
2. Natural sugar
Raw honey is a healthier and delicious substitute for sugar and unhealthy sweeteners like high fructose corn syrup. It is sweeter than sugar with twice the nutrition. Replacing sugar with raw honey is also believed to lower blood sugar levels and prevent weight gain, or help in weight loss.
3. Loaded with antioxidants
Raw and organic honey contains antioxidants such as organic acids and phenolic compounds like flavonoids. The antioxidants present in honey can lower blood pressure, which is an important risk factor for cardiovascular disease. Antioxidants also decrease oxidative stress by neutralizing the free radicals, which contribute to the process of aging and the development of cancer and heart disease. Pasteurization is known to curtail the number of antioxidants in honey as compared to raw honey.
4. Soothes sore throat and cough
Raw honey is a great home remedy for dry cough as well as wet cough. Studies show that consuming a tablespoon of honey can ameliorate irritation in the throat. It has been found that having honey is a great way of reducing the severity and frequency of nighttime cough in children. Adding honey to tea or warm water with lemon is considered an instant throat soother.
5. Promotes sound sleep
Consuming a tablespoon of it before bedtime has been proven beneficial to promote sound sleep. Having honey before bedtime releases melatonin in the brain that your body uses to restore itself during sleep. Honey also spikes your insulin levels and releases tryptophan which fosters the production of serotonin, which the brain then converts into melatonin.
6. Supports digestive health
The enzymes in honey help act as a catalyst in the process of digestion and break down carbohydrates and sugars. Raw honey has been proven to control the growth of the bacteria Helicobacter pylori in the stomach. It can be used to treat digestive issues like diarrhea, constipation, and ulcers.
Raw honey is also a powerful prebiotic that is important not only for digestion but for overall health. As prebiotic raw honey does not get broken down by gastric acids or digestive enzymes and helps the probiotics to provide healthy bacteria in the gut. Raw honey also nourishes the good bacteria that live in the intestines.
7. Relieves acid reflux
Acid reflux can happen due to free radicals that damage the cells lining the digestive tract. Raw honey can soothe acid reflux along with heartburn and aid in healing the esophagus. The sticky texture of honey allows it to coat the mucous membrane of the esophagus which reduces the burning sensations. Raw honey is a powerhouse of antioxidants and plays an important role in scavenging these free radicals.
Varieties of Honey
There is an array of honey you can purchase, with each of them varying in its color, texture, taste, and potential health benefits. Honey produced from a single species of flowers is called unifloral and the one which comes from more than one species is called multifloral. The varieties of honey are mainly classified by the type of flower the nectar was gathered from.
Some varieties of honey that you can consume are given below:
Alfalfa Honey
This honey has a light taste with mildly sweet undertones. Alfalfa honey may lower cholesterol, and promote good gut health. It is also effective as a topical treatment for wounds due to its antibacterial properties.
Acacia Honey
This honey is very sweet, and light amber with floral accents. It is a popular honey and is high in fructose and low in glucose. Acacia honey is believed to fight against heart disease and even some forms of cancer due to its high level of flavonoids.
Orange Blossom Honey
This is a light and mild honey with a fruity aroma and citrusy taste. It boasts anti-inflammatory properties and is high in many antioxidants. Therefore, orange blossom honey supports your immune system and protects the body against free radical damage.
Clover Honey
It has a mildly sweet and light taste with a hint of cinnamon. Clover honey has powerful antioxidant properties and supports lung, heart function, and nervous system.
Blueberry Honey
This honey has a pleasant and slightly sour flavor and a bit of a blueberry aftertaste. It is believed to have antibiotic properties and effective in the treatment of serious illnesses.
Wildflower Honey
This is multi-floral honey made from the nectar of different varieties of wildflowers. Its taste, color, and texture can vary depending upon the sources of nectar. However, it is mainly light and fruity. Wildflower honey also has cough suppressant qualities like other varieties of honey. Furthermore, some studies reveal that wildflower honey can be effective in combating seasonal allergies triggered by the wildflowers from which the honey was gathered.
Eucalyptus Honey
This distinctive honey has a sweet flavor with fresh undertones of eucalyptus trees. The menthol-like properties of eucalyptus make it an amazing decongestant. It is a powerful expectorant and helps clear mucus. Eucalyptus honey is extremely effective in treating upper respiratory infections.
Buckwheat Honey
This dark, rich, and malty honey has an earthy aroma and a heartier flavor. It is an excellent choice to treat sore throats and coughs and also lowers cholesterol levels.
Sage Honey
This warm, golden honey is thick in texture with a mildly fruity and sweet flavor and a hint of spice. It is considered good for digestion. Sage honey eliminates cold and cough, strengthens the immune system, lowers triglycerides, and prevents acid reflux.
Manuka Honey
Manuka honey is considered one of the healthiest honey in the world. But this strong-tasting honey has an acquired taste. According to some research, manuka honey is an effective treatment for wounds, burns, and even diabetic ulcers.
Easy and Quick Ways to Consume Honey
- Complement your favorite tea with honey. However, do not add honey to boiling water as the high temperature will destroy the beneficial qualities of honey.
- Mix honey into cereals, yogurt, smoothies, and oatmeal for more natural sweetness.
- Pour honey over pancakes or on top of toast.
- Use honey to add sweetness to marinades and dressings.
- To soothe a dry and sore throat, add a teaspoon of honey to a cup of tea or warm water. You can also add a teaspoon of lemon juice to balance out the sweetness.
- Honey water with freshly squeezed lemon is beneficial for people with urinary tract problems.
- Warm honey water with lemon juice added to it can reduce uncomfortable symptoms of a bloated stomach.
- Having warm honey water on an empty tummy can do wonders for your digestive health.
- For acid reflux, add 2 tbsp of apple cider vinegar and 1 tbsp of honey to approx 8 ounces of water and drink this mixture before every meal.
- For weight loss, drink 1 tbsp of raw honey with 1 tsp of cinnamon in a cup of warm water in the morning on an empty stomach and at night before sleeping. First, add cinnamon to the cup and then pour the hot water and allow it to steep for at least a few minutes. Add honey only when the water has cooled down a bit.
The Takeaway
To sum up, raw honey is just what it sounds – raw, unprocessed – the nectar of the gods. Processing any food affects its nutritional value, including honey. However raw honey is replete with healthy plant compounds and is great for optimal health. But, raw honey may trigger allergies also. If you have a sensitivity to pollen, steer clear of raw honey.
Most of the honey you find at grocery stores is pasteurized. Therefore, if you want to try raw honey, buy it from a trusted local producer.
