A sweet and powerful antioxidant
Raw honey is a very healthy food that can provide you with a lot of health benefits. Raw honey has a plethora of plant compounds, which all act as powerful antioxidants. Some kinds of raw honey contain more antioxidants than common fruits and veggies. Antioxidants help to prevent your body from external cell damage caused by free radicals.
Nutrition
Raw honey may be the only food source of this highly potent all-natural antioxidant. Raw honey may also have the highest concentration of antioxidants of any known food or product. Raw honey may be used to reduce cholesterol and plaque build up in the arteries. One study even found that honey may help lower your risk of atherosclerosis.
Honey is high in potassium and calcium, making it a great addition to your diet. Many natural health practitioners recommend the consumption of raw honey as an alternative to regular sugar. A pasteurized variety is usually extracted from the raw honey when it is processed to make tea, coffee, chocolate, or ice cream.
Research
Health care providers are recognizing the numerous health benefits that come from the antibacterial properties of honey. Manuka honey is one of the most highly regarded varieties of honey because of the extensive research conducted on its antioxidant properties. Antioxidant activity occurs when the substance interferes with the oxygen molecules known as free radicals, or when it binds with them. These free radicals cause cellular oxidation and damage the DNA in your cells.
Researchers suspect that the antibacterial, antifungal, and antimicrobial properties of raw honey stem from a type of bacteria called Lactobacillus acidophilus. Since this bacteria is so important for our digestive tract, it is understandable that if it is eliminated, then other species of bacteria/fungus, like Candida, will likely increase in rapid succession, thereby resulting in more problems than you originally started with. It has been shown that raw honey helps to reintroduce the good bacteria into your system, thereby restoring optimal levels of your immune system. Some of the most common symptoms of Candida include digestive problems, mood swings, rashes, depression, headaches, acne, diarrhea, thrush, constipation, stomach pain, and abdominal bloating.
What to buy
One of the best ways to get the greatest benefits from honey is to use raw, unfiltered honey. Choose a brand that contains the words “raw” or “unrefined” on the label. If you purchase honey in the form of a supplement, the nutritional benefits are likely already apparent. However, you can always opt for the honey that comes from the combs themselves.