For A Quick Energy Boost, Pass the Honey
A natural sweetener and food, the medicinal uses of honey were first mentioned in Sumerian clay tablets dating to 2000 BC. Research shows that honey can reduce oxidative stress, and has antimicrobial, antibacterial, antiviral, anti inflammatory, anti hypertensive, antimutagenic and antitumor effects.¹ Research shows that honey's health promoting properties can be realized at daily doses of 50 to 80 g or 5-8 teaspoons.²
An easily digested carbohydrate composed of fructose and glucose sugars, the body can easily convert pure honey into energy: a dose of 20 g of honey providing 3% of daily energy requirements.² Unlike table sugar or corn syrup, pure honey contains varying amounts of pollen, oligosaccharides, proteins, enzymes, essential and non-essential amino acids, minerals, trace elements, vitamins and antioxidant polyphenols. However, not all "honey" products have nutritional value. Heat-treated honey destroys enzymes, ultra-filtrated honey candy lacks pollen and honey-flavoured corn syrups are more akin to table sugar.
Honey also has a low glycemic load (GL), averaging round 9 points per tablespoon, which varies according to botanical source with fructose-rich honey having lower values. Calculated as grams of carbohydrate per serving multiplied by the glycemic index (GI) divided by 100, a GL value of 1 raises blood sugar by 1g of glucose.² The lower the GL, the better for those who are insulin-resistant or diabetic, which makes 100% pure honey, a natural energy drink for the holiday season: caffeine-free, easily digested, great-tasting and healthy!
1 Erejuwa OO, et al. Honey: a novel antioxidant. Molecules. 2012 Apr 12;17(4):4400-23, www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22499188.
2 Bogdanov S. et. al. Honey for nutrition and health: a review. J Am Coll Nutr. 2008 Dec;27(6):677-89, www.jacn.org/content/27/6/677.long.
3. Kennedy DO, et. al. Monoterpenoid extract of sage with cholinesterase inhibiting properties improves cognitive performance and mood in healthy adults. J Psychopharmacol.2011 Aug;25(8):1088-100, www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20937617.
4. Bode AM, Dong Z. The Amazing and Mighty Ginger. Chapter 7,Herbal Medicine: Biomolecular and Clinical Aspects. 2nd edition. Edited by IFF Benzie & S. Wachtel-Galor, Boca Raton (FL): CRC Press; 2011. PMID:2259394.
5. Drozdov, VN, et. al. Influence of a specific ginger combination on gastropathy conditions in patients with osteoarthritis of the knee or hip.J Altern Complement Med.2012 Jun;18(6):583-8,www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22784345.6. Alshaer, H., Scientific
6. Evidence Showing Stimulation of Human Performance by Ingredients Present in Bee Active Honey & Herbal Mixture. Unpublished Technical Report, 2010.
Note: This article should not be considered substitutes for professional medical care and are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any specific disease and is for informational purposes only. Bee products may cause allergic reactions in some individuals, consult your health care practitioner for guidance.