Eating honey the right way

Saturday, September 21, 2013 by: Yanjun
Tags: honey, consumption, nutritious foods

(NaturalNews) It is said that honey is one of the most nutritious natural foods available. This syrup produced by bees not only contains natural sugars but also contains a bunch of vitamins, minerals and other beneficial ingredients. But of course, just like any food or ingredient, there must be a limit when it comes to its consumption, as it can negatively impact your health when you least expect it.

Here are some guidelines anyone must follow before consuming honey

Honey is not recommended for diabetics

Table sugar and some fruits are not allowed for diabetics, because their consumption triggers erratic swings in blood sugar levels. The same also holds true when it comes to honey, a popular sugar replacement because of its multiple health benefits. The main reason for its non-recommendation is because honey contains an extremely high amount of glucose, which is readily absorbed by the body. The sudden surge of glucose in the blood can wreak havoc on the body balance of a diabetic. If you're a diabetic and you're in need of a sweetener, try alternatives such as stevia.

Honey is not recommended for children, especially infants

Babies are not known for their immunity, as their immune systems are still developing. Honey is not recommended for them, because honey might contain bacteria and toxins that may cause botulism. These toxins can be acquired during the process of brewing, storage and transportation. If these toxins are able to make their way into the child's body, they can cause a devastating form of food poisoning, which may lead to impaired brain development and even death.

The best way to eat honey

Honey is something that can be produced all year round. However, if you want to consume the best quality honey, it's ideal to get it during autumn. It is during this season when bees produce the best quality honey, perhaps due to the relative health of flowers during that season. While honey can be consumed at just about any time of day, it is most recommended to consume honey during the morning, when the body needs an energy boost. The recommended daily consumption of honey is listed at 50-100 grams a day.

Preparing honey

While there are many ways to prepare and consume honey (in fact, you can even consume it on its own), there are some ways that are considered wrong. Adding honey in hot water or beverage destroys the enzymes in honey, reducing its overall health-giving benefits. In addition to this, it must not be coupled with foods rich in vitamin C and D, because the mineral content of honey may damage these vitamins, effectively negating any potential health benefit. Honey must not be mixed with bean curd as well, as the combination of these two can cause indigestion and nutrient negation.

Conclusion

Honey is still one of nature's true bounties. However, if you consume it the wrong way, you won't get the best out of it. Worse, it can even prove to be detrimental health-wise. Eat honey the right way, and your body will be better off for it.

Sources for this article include:

http://authoritynutrition.com

http://www.self.com

http://science.naturalnews.com

About the author:
Sofiya has written articles on most health-related topics, including traditional medicine, alternative and naturopathic and natural treatments,health insurance, wellness, medical marijuana, diets and fitness.