Raw Honey
A few years ago I gave up dairy and white sugar. This forced me to find a substitute for the milk and sugar I added to my tea each day. So, I switched from black tea to medicinal teas and started adding honey. I had no idea that I was not only removing harmful foods, but adding in a very beneficial one in its place.
As someone who has become obsessed with knowing about the food I am eating, I started researching honey. Although all honey contain nutrients, not all honey is the same. Included in this article are some interesting facts I discovered.
Regular honey is usually put through a high heat pasteurization process. This process makes the honey a little thinner, smoother and clearer in appearance. Many people find this to be a more pleasing look to the honey. Yet, when it goes through this process it removes the natural yeast of the honey along with some nutrients. Some companies even put their honey through an ultra filtration that can ultimately remove pollen, antioxidants and other nutrients.
If you want the most nutrient honey, buy it in its Raw form. This honey comes directly from the beehive in its complete natural state. It is simply poured over a mesh cloth that removes impurities like beeswax and dead bees, then put directly into a bottle. In this state we can get the full benefit of this golden syrup. You should know that organic honey doesn’t mean it is raw, it just means the bee hives are on organic land. They can still put the product through filtration, so read labels carefully.
The National Honey Board (www.honey.com) states it contains 17 grams of healthy carbs per tablespoon so its great when you need extra energy. It is filled with amino acids, antioxidants. minerals, vitamins and enzymes. It is also great for boosting our immune system, stabilizing blood pressure, aids colds, flu, sore throats and benefits our digestive health with its probiotics. It’s anti-microbial, anti-viral and anti-bacterial properties can assist inside (for all those nasty viruses in our bodies) and outside the body (cuts or scraps on your skin).
One final point is concerning the bees that bring us this wonderful healing food. In recent years their population has decreased because of diminished food supply, pesticides, and a parasite called Varroa destructor mites. Research shows that bee pollination help supplies one-third of our food supply. For this reason, everyone should be concerned with the health of our honey bees.
Project Apism is researching ways to combat all the causes of the decreased population. Check out their website for more information. We can help by planting flowers that feed bees, stopping the use of pesticides and fund research. You may even consider becoming your own beekeeper!
The next time you are surrounded by flowers, take notice of the bees hard at work and be thankful for their existence.
Take advantage of this miraculous food and add a little sweetness to your life each and everyday! You can find many of my recipes which include honey here.
