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Honey- Perfect blends of flavor, taste and goodness
Did you know that bees travel an average of 55,000 miles and need to tap over two millions flowers just to bring you one pound of honey. Isn't this incredible! The color and flavor of honey differ depending on the bees' nectar source - blossoms. In fact there are more than three hundred unique kinds of honey in the United States alone. Light colored honeys are milder in flavor, while darker honeys are usually stronger in flavor. The main producers of honey are Australia, Canada, Argentina and United States.
Nutritional Value
- Honey is a mixture of sugars and other compounds.
- With respect to carbohydrates, honey is mainly fructose (about 38.5%) and glucose (about 31.0%), making it similar to the synthetically produced inverted sugar syrup which is approximately 48% fructose, 47% glucose, and 5% sucrose.
- Honey's remaining carbohydrates include maltose, sucrose, and other complex carbohydrates.
- Honey contains trace amounts of several vitamins and minerals.
- Honey also contains tiny amounts of several compounds thought to function as antioxidants, including chrysin, pinobanksin, vitamin C, catalase, and pinocembrin.
- Honey contains flavonoids and phonic acid, and the darker the honey, the higher the level of antioxidants.
- Honey has a density of about 1.36 kg/liter (36% denser than water).
- Honey acts as a prebiotic and aids in th growth of friendly bifidobacteria, thus improving gut health.
Note: Honey should not be fed to infants less than one year of age because they lack the ability to kill botulism spores that lie within.
Home Remedies
- Greek and roman athletes used honey to increase strength and stamina.
- Honey has been used as an effective antimicrobial agent, for treating minor burns and scrapes, and for aiding the treatment of score throats and other bacterial infections.
- Honey is also used as a face pack for glowing skin.
Selection and Storage
- Honey comes in basically five different forms: comb honey, liquid honey, cut comb (liquid honey that has chunks of comb in it), crystallized honey and whipped or creamed honey.
- To keep antioxidant content high, don't store honey any longer than six months.
- Honey is best stored at room temperature. Do not refrigerate.
- If your honey crystallizes, simply place the honey jar in warm water and stir until the crystal dissolve.
Honey is a Lifesaver! Check out all it's great properties.
Cholesterol: A human study found that people with hyperlipidemia (elevated fats in the blood.) who ate honey had a decrease in their triglycerides as opposed to those fed a sugar solution, which increased triglycerides.
Cancer: An article in the journal of the science of food and agriculture reported on a group of Croatian researcher who found significantly decreased tumor growth and spreading of cancer in mice when honey was ingested orally or given by injection. Honey was found to be an effective agent for inhibiting the growth of bladder cancer cell lines.
Wound-healing: Honey has long been revered for its antibacterial and wound healing properties. A special preparation of honey called Medihoney, known for its high antibacterial properties, was used in treating wound care in children's hospital in Bonn, Germany, for three years. Researchers observed significantly reductions in even the most resistant wound infections as a result of using the honey preparation. Cancer treatment can often lead to side effects such as sores in the inside of the mouth; one study found that honey applied to the sores reduced discomfort.
There is also a special honey worth mentioning and it is Manuka Honey: Honey with Antibacterial and Healing Activity
The unique properties of UMF Manuka honey can help heal a huge range of conditions from stomach ulcers to infections, as well as increasing your energy levels and general well-being.
As mentioned by manukahoney.com, Manuka honey can help the following conditions:
- Stomach ulcers and related conditions
- Sore throats & colds
- Skin ulcers, wounds, boils
- Minor burns & pressure sores
- Infections
There are Two Types of Manuka Honey:
- Ordinary manuka honey with only the hydrogen peroxide antibacterial property common to most honeys. A very nice table honey.
- UMF Manuka Honey with both the natural hydrogen peroxide antibacterial property plus its own natural UMF antibacterial property, giving it increased antibacterial potency.
What is UMF?
- UMF is the name of a very beneficial antibacterial property found in some strains of Manuka honey. (UMF is not in all Manuka honey.)
- UMF indicates the honey has a high antibacterial component.
- UMF is a guarantee and measure of the antibacterial potency of honey.
- UMF Manuka Honey (UMF10 is minimum level) has enhanced antibacterial potency giving it special healing qualities.
- UMF Manuka Honey is the preferred honey when selecting honey for special therapeutic uses.
- UMF is an industry registered name, trademark, standard indicating antibacterial quality
- The UMF standard is the only standard worldwide identifying and measuring the antibacterial strength of honey.
For more information, check out this website http://manukahoney.com/, it has additional information and l am sure you will learn something new about this healing honey if you take a look at it.
Check out this tasty salad which is equally healthy.
Fruit Salad with Honey Lime Dressing
Serving: 4
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes
Total Time: 45 minutes
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup honey
- 1/2 cup lime juice
- pinch nutmeg
- 1 quart fresh fruits
Method
- In blender or food processor, combine honey, juice and nutmeg; blend until smooth.
- In medium bowl, toss fruit with dressing and chill until ready to serve.
Now that you know the benefits of honey, I am sure your next shopping list will surely contain "Honey".
(Source: food.ivillage.com, ?benefits-of-honey.com)
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