Raw, unprocessed honey has many benefits for cardiovascular health, according to a Canadian study. It would in particular reduce the level of bad cholesterol.
- Honey has moisturizing, immunizing and anti-bacterial properties.
- Composed of glucose and fructose, honey is easily absorbed by the body.
In winter, it is often advisable to take a few spoonfuls of honey to soothe a sore throat or a persistent cough. Thanks to its richness in polyphenols, this food product has antiseptic virtues which make it possible to soften the throat.
Honey would reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease
Honey would also have benefits on heart health, according to a new study from the University of Toronto (Canada). This sweet substance would improve cholesterol levels and reduce fasting blood sugar. The conclusions of this work have been published in the journal Nutrition Reviews.
“These results are surprising, because honey is composed of approximately 80% sugar (…) But honey is also a complex composition of common and rare sugars, proteins, organic acids and other bioactive compounds which have most likely health benefits”said Tauseef Khan, study co-author and research associate in nutritional sciences at the University of Toronto’s Temerty School of Medicine.
Raw honey has more benefits than processed honey
For the purposes of this research, the scientists included 18 controlled trials and 1,100 participants in their analysis. The daily dose of honey given to the volunteers was 40 grams, or about two tablespoons. According to the results, honey consistently produced neutral or beneficial effects, depending on the treatment, the floral source and the amount provided.
The researchers found, however, that processed honey loses some of these benefits, unlike raw honey. “Future studies should focus on unprocessed honey and a single floral source. The goal would be to better understand the many compounds in honey that can work wonders for health. We need a consistent product that can deliver consistent health benefits”underlined Tauseef Khan.