What is honey?

NUTRITIONAL INFORMATION 

       Amount per 50 gm

            calories   -  152 kJ

             Fat           -  0 g

           Sodium      - 2 mg

        Potassium     - 26 mg

           Carbs          - 41 g

         Protein          - 0.3 g

          Iron               -  2%

             Honey is a sweet, viscous food substance made by honey bees and some other bees. Bees produce honey from the sugary secretions of plants (floral nectar) or from secretions of other insects (such as honeydew), by regurgitation, enzymatic activity, and water evaporation. Honey bees store honey in wax structures called honeycombs, whereas stingless bees store honey in pots made of wax and resin. The variety of honey produced by honey bees  is the best-known, due to its worldwide commercial production and human consumption. Honey is collected from wild bee colonies, or from hives of domesticated bees, a practice known as beekeeping 

 

Honey gets its sweetness from the monosaccharides fructose and glucose, and has about the same relative sweetness as sucrose (table sugar). Fifteen milliliters (1 US tablespoon) of honey provides around 190 kilojoules (46 kilocalories) of food energy. It has attractive chemical properties for baking and a distinctive flavor when used as a sweetener. Most microorganisms do not grow in honey, so sealed honey does not spoil, even after thousands of years of Health. 

   Benefits of Honey

               Although it is not a rich source of nutrients, some people regard honey as a health food. There is little or no evidence for many common claims about honey, but research supports some of the following:

Anti-inflammatory Effects

                 Honey contains antioxidants, which can protect the body from inflammation. Inflammation can lead to a variety of health issues, including heart disease, cancer, and autoimmune disorders. One study discovered that antioxidants in buckwheat honey were detectable in blood plasma, showing that eating honey could enhance antioxidant activity in the body.

   Cough Relief

                 Health authorities do not recommend over-the-counter medications to treat young children’s coughs and colds. Some parents may look for natural remedies. In one study, two teaspoons of honey relieved children’s nighttime cough and allowed them to sleep. However, doctors do not recommend this practice for children less than a year old.