Benefits of Raw Honey

In addition to being a terrific natural sweetener, honey has many benefits that most people don’t know about.  Have you ever had an unending sore throat? Honey will soothe that searing pain and coat your inflamed throat. Are you a competitive athlete looking for an energy hike before the big game, or just a weekend warrior out for some exercise? Honey’s uncommon blend of natural sweeteners will give you the quick energy you need in any circumstance.

Nature's Natural Sweetener     

Honey is sweet, everyone knows that. But did you also know that honey also adds a special quality to almost any recipe? It's that unique ingredient that makes your barbecue stand out, that secret addition to a fruit salad that enhances its natural flavors, and even that certain element in a mixed drink that makes it all work... honey gin cocktail, anyone?  Most people think of honey as a sweetener in tea or a topping for a muffin. But more and more honey is being accepted as a versatile stalwart staple of the kitchen . Natural raw honey gives your food unparalleled flavor and is a much healthier choice than processed sugar. Honey can balance the flavors in your recipes and add moisture to baking, it's the go to sweetener for those in the know!

 

Honey... Quick Natural Energy

Carbohydrates are necessary in your diet to help maintain muscle glycogen, which are also known as stored carbohydrates.  This is the most important fuel source for athletes to help keep their energy up.  And honey is a good source of carbohydrates, providing 17 grams per tablespoon, which makes it ideal for your working muscles since carbohydrates are the primary fuel the body uses for energy.  Whether you’re looking for that extra edge before a big game or you just have a sweet tooth, honey is a fast, simple, and tasty all-natural energy source.

Performance Booster for Athletes

Warm Up:  Sports nutritionists have always recommended eating carbohydrates prior to athletic activity for added energy.  Raw honey is an effective carb to ingest before engaging in a sports activity. When eaten prior to physical exercise, it is released into the system at a steady rate throughout the activity.

During Exercise: Consuming carbohydrates during a workout sustains your muscles longer and inhibits fatigue versus not taking anything. So the next time you grab that bottle of water, add some honey to it, and you'll likely notice a difference in energy and performance.

Cool Down: After exercise or athletic activity it's important to follow a recovery plan.  Raw honey is a great source of carbohydrate to combine with protein supplements.  Research shows that consuming a combination of carbohydrates and protein immediately following exercise is ideal to recharge and lessen muscle fatigue soreness. Besides promoting muscle recuperation and glycogen restoration, carbohydrate-protein stacking sustains favorable blood sugar concentrations after exercise.

Tips for Maximum Benefit

When planning your athletic training program, remember that honey is a source of carbohydrates, providing 17 grams with just 64 calories per tablespoon. Combining honey with vegetables, fruits, lean meats, whole grains and other healthy foods can add to your nutritional profile and give you a great natural energy jolt. Try some of these tips to boost your diet with the natural sweetness of honey!

• Keeping hydrated is one of the most critical tools for an athlete. Add honey to your bottle of water for an energy jolt during your next athletic activity.
• Take it with you for road tournaments and long periods of activity to help sustain your energy levels, it's a very portable resource.
• Peanut butter and honey sandwiches on whole wheat bread are a super, high-fiber, high-energy snack to provide necessary carbohydrates, protein and fat.
• Snacks are a great way to add extra fruits and vegetables to your diet. Try mixing honey and light cream cheese, or honey and peanut butter, as a dip for healthy low-salt pretzels, fresh fruits or vegetables.

Natural Skin Care             

 

Manufacturers have utilized raw honey in everything from moisturizers to bar soaps to hand lotions and bubble baths. Honey is an obvious choice due to its wholesome, all-natural image.  Consumers are increasingly demanding personal care products and cosmetics made from naturally sourced ingredients. In the case of honey, in particular, image is just the start.

First of all, honey is a humectant, which means that it attracts and retains moisture. This quality makes honey a natural fit in a variety of moisturizing products including conditioners, shampoos, cleansers, and creams.

Look for honey in beauty products or simply add a squeeze of honey on your own to your soap, moisturizer, or shampoo.  And for some extra indulgence, try creating a simple honey-based beauty recipe yourself.

Using raw honey, a natural humectant with anti-microbial properties, here are some easy recipes that will help hydrate your skin while relaxing your soul.

The following tips will help you keep your skin at its pure and natural best.  

Protect Skin from the Sun: Use sunblock whenever you are outdoors, not only when its sunny.  Apply sunscreen 20-30 minutes prior to exposure to allow the active ingredients to start working.  

Cleanse Twice a Day: Cleansing when you wake up removes waste excreted during the skin’s nocturnal self-cleansing process. At night, it ensures removal of dirt, oil and makeup.  

Get Plenty of Sleep: Your skin will tell you when you are sleep deprived. Without enough sleep, your body cannot restore and repair itself. Get your fair share of sleep and you'll live longer and your skin will look better, too.

Reduce Stress: Stress ages body tissue, and especially skin tissue. Exercise, yoga, massage therapy, meditation, and aromatherapy are all highly effective against stress.  

Natural Cough Medicine

Raw honey has been used for hundreds of years to help relieve the symptoms associated with the common cold. Many things can cause a sore throat, including infections with viruses, such as colds and flu; allergies; sinus drainage; and cigarette smoking, among others. Sore throats caused by bacteria such as streptococci are more commonly treated with antibiotics, so always check with your doctor if you have a fever, or if symptoms continue for more than a day or two.  Time is the most effective healer of sore throats caused by viruses, but for relief of the bothersome symptoms, have a spoonful of raw honey to coat and soothe your throat. Take a spoonful of raw honey, as often as you require, to relieve the irritation. In addition, keep up your liquids with a hot cup of tea sweetened with raw honey. You can mix in some lemon or orange juice for some added vitamin C.

Be aware that honey should not be fed to infants under one year of age. Honey is a safe and wholesome food for older children and adults.