Bee honey: 10 benefits and properties of this food

Honey has been used for centuries both in the kitchen and in the apothecary, as a natural remedy.

The properties and benefits of bee honey have been known and used by different societies over time. Currently this substance constitutes one of the most important primary natural sweeteners, whose benefits range from a pleasant taste to the palate, to the possible prevention and treatment of diseases.

Below we will see what honey is and how it is obtained, and its main properties and benefits.
What is and how is honey obtained?

Natural honey is produced naturally by Apis mallifera and different subspecies of bees. The latter obtain honey from the nectar of the flowers and also from secretions released by the bees themselves.

Broadly speaking, honey is produced through a process of combining substances that bees transport, concentrate, and store in honeycombs (a set of wax cells that they build to deposit honey). Subsequently, the honey is extracted through a process that includes the discharge, the lifting, the uncapping and finally the separation of the honey from the wax. All this occurs in a previously constituted space, and with specialized machinery and equipment.

Bee honey has a complex composition and rich in nutrients, which have been used for human consumption since the most ancient societies.

The largest proportion of these nutrients is occupied by carbohydrates, such as fructose and glucose. It also contains enzymes, antioxidants, amino acids, vitamins, minerals and organic acids, which make honey have many properties. In fact it has not only been used as food but as an important therapeutic resource.

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10 properties and benefits of bee honey
As we have seen, honey is one of the natural resources that has been used the most by human beings. Already from the classic medical texts, honey appears as an important resource to treat wounds, pains and diseases.

Currently, beekeeping (raising bees to take advantage of their products) is one of the most important economic activities in different countries. The latter is due to the richness of its nutritional properties and its healing potential. We will see below which are the most important properties of bee honey.

1. Antibacterial potential
Due to the inhibins (hydrogen peroxide, flavonoids and phenolic acids) present in honey, this substance has important bactericidal properties. These properties are also attributed to the presence of glucose oxidase. For example, one of honey's antibacterial potentials may be important in treating acne and exfoliating the skin.

2. Natural source of antioxidants
Antioxidants are natural substances that prevent the formation of oxides, which in turn slows cell decomposition. In this sense, the regular consumption of bee honey can be an important dietary supplement in the prevention of heart disease, the immune system and inflammatory processes.

3. Primary sweetener
Before the extraction of cane sugar and other roots, tubers, and foods became popular, honey was the only natural primary sweetener. Due to its components, such as small peptides, flavonoids, and enzymes, honey serves as a sweetener, but not only that. It is a protective agent that, when mixed with other foods, can enhance both the flavor and its beneficial properties for health. Along these same lines, honey is a natural substitute for refined sugar.

4. Contains protein
Bee honey contains approximately enzymes and amino acids. These originate from the activity of the bees themselves, and sometimes from the nectar of the plant. Proteins have a fundamental role in the growth and synthesis of different tissues. In turn, amino acids are the basis for protein production

5. Moisturizing potential
The high humidity concentration of honey not only influences its viscosity, weight, flavor and color, it can also be essential for moisturizing different parts of our body. For the same reason it is usually used as a moisturizer for the hair and scalp. In this it is important that honey is not exposed to high temperatures, since its properties can be lost.

6. Supports digestion
When combined with other natural products, such as lemon juice or cinnamon, honey can promote the activity of the digestive system. This means that it helps metabolize food, preventing or relieving stomach indigestion. It has also been attributed to alleviate symptoms of constipation and a feeling of heaviness after strong meals. For the same reason it has also been attributed its own