What is Raw Honey? and is it good for our bodies. Wondering whether Uncooked or Unheated Raw Honey is safe. Dangers of Eating Raw Honey? Where can one buy Raw Unfiltered or Unprocessed Honey?
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What is Raw Honey Good For?
Raw honey is a nutritive sweetener which acts both as an antioxidant and microbial agent. The pollen collected from nectar in different plants is as healthy as the diverse plants it is picked from.
Research carried out by Penn State College of Medicine concluded that honey contains different varieties of friendly bacteria that may explain its therapeutic properties.
Raw Honey for Blood Sugar
Raw honey helps in blood sugar control in the body. This is because it facilitates optimal glucose metabolism by the liver during exercise or sleep. It is the ideal “liver fuel” mainly because of its balanced glucose to fructose ratio 1:1.
Fructose is known to easily release enzymes from the liver. These enzymes are crucial in the conversion of glucose into glycogen. This is the safest form of storing sugar in muscles cells and the liver.
Raw Honey facilitates Enzymes
By facilitating the release of enzymes from the liver, raw honey avoids the unnecessary release of stress hormones (cortisol and adrenaline) by the brain. The release of these hormones results in unnecessary conversion of muscle protein into glucose.
Therefore, this denies the body enough protein nutrients to perform the various functions it is meant to carry out in the body. For example, the repair of tissues and disease control are hampered.
It also helps the body reduce the risks of cardiovascular diseases, diabetes and insulin resistance.
It does this by facilitating glucose metabolism, and reducing repeated metabolic stress, especially by cortisal, which is produced when there are minimal glycogen quantities produced by the liver.
Fat reduction using Raw Honey
Raw honey assists in reducing body fat, improved cholesterol levels, reduced anxiety and oxidative damage in human body. It is also an effective in suppressing coughs, especially in children between the ages two and sixteen.
Pure Raw Honey Boosts Immunity
A study carried out by separate hospitals in Israel found that honey boosts immunity by reducing acute febrile neutropenia cases and the general effects of cancer. 35% of cancer patients who took part in the research reported improved quality of life.
What Is Raw Unfiltered Honey – Components and Uses
Raw unfiltered honey is unstrained and is not heat-processed. It exists in the beehive. Raw unfiltered honey is made by bees from flower nectar through a process called regurgitation. It is then stored in honeycombs in beehives.
Raw honey is sweet, it derives its sweetness from two forms of sugars- glucose and fructose. It has several attractive components and features that make it suitable for baking and adding flavor.
Raw unfiltered honey components
Raw honey contains more than eighty different nutritional components besides the common fructose and glucose in processed honey. Some of the components include:
- Minerals
- Vitamin K
- Sulfur
- Vitamin E
- Iodine
- Vitamin C
- Sodium
- Vitamin B Complex
- Manganese,
- Flavonoids
Minerals
Raw unfiltered honey has several minerals, Vitamins K, E, C and B complex. It also contains iodine, manganese, sodium, potassium, sulfur and chlorine. The level of enzymes in honey are not comparable to any other human foods.
The unfiltered honey contains ingredients that assist in healing wounds and improved athletic performance. Raw unfiltered honey is good in restoring glycogen and muscle recuperation.
Especially, among people who engage in physical exercises or activities frequently. Athletes and other sports personalities, therefore, make use of it frequently.
The honey enables them to perform in a series of events with less muscle strain. Honey is also a source of carbohydrates, which is very vital in the production of energy in the body. You can use it instead of other carbohydrates, regardless of the nature of their work.
Healing of Wounds
The wound healing properties are one of its most impressive medicinal qualities. It has been used for centuries as an antiseptic agent in the treatment of burns and ulcers.
Some studies have compared it to the performance of silver sulfadiazine used in the treatment of first-degree burns. Over 90% of treated burns turn out infection free when one uses raw unfiltered honey.
Caesarean Patients
Patients undergoing caesarean section during birth benefit immensely from the use of raw unfiltered honey during the healing process. The wound healing properties of raw unfiltered honey are due to two factors which are:
- It contains an enzyme called glucose oxidase, which produces a mild antiseptic called hydrogen peroxide, when combined with water.
- The two main components of raw honey (fructose and glucose) easily attract water therefore drying the wound. A dry wound reduces the possibility of bacterial or fungal growth.
Flavonoids
Raw unfiltered honey contains flavonoids, which act as a strong antibacterial agent. This antibacterial agent works well against bacteria commonly available in our environment, such as staphylococcus aureus. This type of bacteria is very infectious, especially in open wounds and untreated burns.
According to a number of researchers, raw unfiltered honey made from Tupelo, sage and buckwheat flowers contains a wider variety of antioxidants and several other health-supporting substances. It is being studied for several other antioxidants and bacterial properties unique to it.
Is Raw Honey Unprocessed?
In some cases, raw honey goes through minimal processing to remove impurities and parts not fit for human consumption. Raw honey contains inconsumable substances such as pollen and wax particles.
However, some people argue that anyone allergic to dust or pollen should use unprocessed honey to boost their resistance.
Where Can I Buy Raw Honey?
There are many raw honey specialty shops in the US and other parts of the world. You can also buy Raw honey from pharmaceutical shops, supermarkets and groceries. I recommend buying fresh raw honey directly from bee firms and credible sources.
Superbee Honey is the most honey that many people trust in Australia and New Zealand. You will find this brand in many supermarkets in the two countries.
Active Manuka Honey is a type of raw honey common in New Zealand. One can also access it in stores within the United States. Some of the most popular raw honey brands in the US such as Really Raw Honey can be too expensive or sometimes unavailable in stores.
Longan and Lychee Raw Honey are the most common and genuine types of raw honey in Taiwan. This is because there is lychee and Longan flower nectar are very common in that part of the world.
Be careful when choosing honey in Taiwan. Because the possibility of confusing raw and processed honey is higher than in the United States.
You also have the option of shopping for raw honey online, but take all necessary online shopping precautions while doing so.
What is Raw Unheated Honey
Raw unheated honey has no additives, is unfiltered and unprocessed. However, you would need to remove the majority of the wax when it is settling, just after the extraction process. Microscopic particles will float as the honey settles therefore making it easy to remove.
In some cases you pass the unheated raw honey through a large screen. This is done to remove the excessively large particles without further alteration. You then sore the Unheated honey at a room temperature. You can slowly warm it when you intent to use.
What is Raw Uncooked Honey
Raw uncooked honey is pure, unprocessed and unpasteurized. Raw uncooked honey thus has the natural characteristics of honey in the beehive, contains natural vitamins, minerals and several other nutritional properties. When bought it may be in solid or liquid form.
Remember, honey liquefies when the hotter than room temperature. It can be milky, clear or opaque, depending on the type of flowers the bees used in making it.
However, it may not possible to differentiate between the cooked, pasteurized or uncooked raw honey, based solely on color or form.
Make sure it has an Organic Honey Certification. Beekeepers have to meet strict guidelines before receiving the certification to sell raw uncooked honey.
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Sources & References on
- MERCOLA: Things You didn’t know about Honey
- WebMD: Medicinal Uses of Honey
