Honey, also known as sweet honey, is the honey brewed by bees. It is a supersaturated solution of sugar that will crystallize at low temperatures. Glucose will produce crystals, and the part that does not produce crystals is mainly fructose. It tastes sweet and contains not only glucose and fructose, but also a variety of vitamins, minerals and amino acids, which have good health effects. Among the many good things given by nature, honey can be called a shining "sweet treasure", nourishing people's lives with its unique flavor and diverse benefits. When it comes to the efficacy and effects of honey, ten key points are worth exploring in depth to help us unlock the health code of both health and deliciousness.
The first thing to bear the brunt is its excellent antibacterial and anti-inflammatory ability. Honey contains natural antibacterial ingredients such as hydrogen peroxide and phenolic compounds, just like a tiny but powerful "health guard". The ancient Egyptians used honey to treat wounds. Applying it to the wounds can not only resist the invasion of external pathogens, but also create a moist healing environment, help reduce inflammation and relieve pain, promote skin tissue repair and regeneration, and treat oral ulcers and minor skin abrasions. Honey can also perform "healing magic".
Nourishing gastrointestinal function is a close second. Enzymes in honey, such as amylase and lipase, actively participate in the "operation" of the digestive system, regulate gastric acid secretion, help decompose and digest food, and gently lubricate the intestines, "feed" nutrients to intestinal probiotics, maintain the balance of intestinal microecology, and make the digestion and absorption process as smooth as sailing with the current, effectively relieve constipation troubles, and give the stomach and intestines lasting vitality.
In addition, honey is an energy "supply station" to relieve fatigue. The main ingredients, glucose and fructose, can be quickly absorbed by the human body and converted into energy "fuel", which can instantly "endurance" the body's "engine". After exercise, when you are sweating and exhausted, a cup of honey water will quickly spread the sweet energy throughout your body, dispel the fatigue and haze, and rejuvenate your vitality. It is a close support for athletes and outdoor workers to restore their vitality.
The effect of moistening the lungs and relieving coughs should not be underestimated. When the respiratory tract is "angry" due to dryness and inflammation, coughing and sore throat, honey can show its skills. After mixing with warm water, swallow it slowly. Its moisturizing texture wraps and soothes the throat, dilutes sputum, reduces mucosal irritation, and relieves cough symptoms. It is like putting a "silky shield" on the respiratory tract, helping us to spend the season change and dry season safely.
The beauty and skin care effects are highly sought after by beauty lovers. When taken internally, honey, with its rich antioxidants, neutralizes the "attack" of free radicals, slows down cell aging, and consolidates the skin foundation from the inside; when applied externally as a mask on the face, it can deeply moisturize and nourish the skin, brighten the skin tone, refine pores, and lock the youthful radiance for the skin. It is a pure natural "skin-keeping secret".
Honey also contributes to regulating blood pressure. Moderate intake can dilate blood vessels, improve blood viscosity, help blood circulation run smoothly, coordinate body functions, add a boost to blood pressure stability, and protect cardiovascular health.
The sleep-aiding and calming effect is like a "night elf". A cup of warm honey water before going to bed, the glucose contained in it triggers the brain to secrete serotonin, which is further converted into melatonin, regulates the biological clock, leads us into sweet dreams, and dispels the "dark clouds" of insomnia and anxiety.
Enhancing immunity is the "hidden skill" of honey. Multiple vitamins, minerals and bioactive ingredients work together to stimulate the activity of immune cells, strengthen the body's walls against the "invasion" of external pathogens and viruses, and build a solid foundation for health.
In terms of liver protection, honey also plays a unique value, reducing the burden on the liver, helping liver cells repair and regenerate, and silently guarding this important detoxification organ in daily diet.
Promoting children's growth and development is also eye-catching, supplementing nutrition for growing "seedlings", helping bones to be strong, brain development, and accompanying young life to thrive.
Honey has many benefits, but it is also necessary to eat it in moderation. You should take it in moderation according to your physical condition every day and choose high-quality natural honey to enjoy its sweetness and benefits, so that this natural gift can become a healthy background in your life.
Babies under one year old should not eat honey: honey is easily contaminated by Lactobacillus botulinum during brewing, transportation and storage. Babies have weak resistance. After eating Lactobacillus botulinum, it will multiply in the intestines and produce toxins, and the liver's detoxification function is poor, which can easily cause Lactobacillus botulinum food poisoning.
It is not suitable for people with dampness blocking the middle jiao, abdominal distension, and thick and greasy fur.
Smell: the smell of honey. After opening the bottle, fresh honey has a distinct floral fragrance, while the old honey has a lighter fragrance. The smell of fake honey made with essence is unpleasant. Single flower honey has the fragrance of its own honey source.
Taste: taste the flavor of honey. Pure honey not only has a pleasant aroma, but also has a strong aroma. Put the honey on the tongue and press the tongue against the upper jaw. The honey slowly enters the throat and feels slightly sweet and slightly sour. The taste is delicate, the throat feels slightly spicy, and the aftertaste is long. The above feelings of adulterated honey become lighter, and there is a taste of sugar water, a strong sour taste or salty taste.
Pick: Check the water content of honey. my country usually takes immature honey, so the water content of honey is high. Most of the honey sold on the market has been processed and concentrated, and the water content is relatively low. Pick up the honey with chopsticks or fingers, and the honey that can be drawn into a thread is the best. No drawing phenomenon indicates a high water content. You can also drop a drop of honey on straw paper. If the water mark spreads easily, it means that the water content is high. Pure honey is in the shape of beads and does not spread.
Twist: observe and feel the crystallization. In summer, the temperature is high, and honey is not easy to crystallize; in winter, the temperature is low, and honey is easy to crystallize. Some honeys are easy to crystallize while others are not. Some people have misunderstandings about honey crystallization, thinking that once crystallized, it is fake honey or adulterated, which is incorrect. Honey crystallization is like fish roe or oil, delicate, white, and there is no sandy feeling when twisted by hand. The crystals are easy to melt in the mouth. The crystallization of honey mixed with sugar is granular, feels sandy when twisted by hand, is not easy to twist, and feels like eating sugar in the mouth.
Dissolve: Dissolve the honey in water, stir evenly, and let it stand. If there are impurities in the honey, it will float or sink. Honey is a natural product, and a small amount of impurities does not affect the quality of the honey itself.
Look: Look at the color of the honey. Pure honey is shiny and transparent, with only a small amount of pollen residue suspended in it, and no other large impurities. The color of honey varies depending on the source of the honey and the plant, but the honey in the same bottle should have a uniform color.
Pour: Due to the low water content, high-quality honey is very viscous. If you turn the sealed bottle upside down, it will be obviously more "laborious" to float up on the air sealed in the bottle mouth.
Mold: If you buy milky white or light yellow "crystallized honey", just pick it out and rub it gently on the back of your hand for a while, and the particles that are slightly finer than edible refined salt will dissolve. This method can also be used to "test" royal jelly.
