The Health Benefits of Honey

An insightful interview with Jan Marshall

Are there real health benefits that can be realized from consuming honey? While it is typically not on the vegan menu, there are still many vegetarians who use honey in a lot of recipes. But what are the real facts about the benefits of honey?

Not-Just-Recipes (NJR) wanted to know the answers to the questions about the health benefits of honey.

We were fortunate to be able to interview Jan Marshall. Jan is the owner and editor of a website that is all about honey! She has experience and extensive research that takes her readers through a fascinating world. We were surprised that there is so much to learn about honey and its amazing properties.

Please enjoy reading the interview and then visit Jan's website -
health-benefits-of-honey.com and find out for yourself a little bit more about this truly wonderful resource.

NJR

Hello Jan. Thank you for agreeing to the interview. I'd like to ask about your beliefs concerning the health benefits of honey. Would that be ok?

Jan

Oh yes Rich, I am always agreeable to that.

NJR

So what really are the health benefits of honey?

Jan

That's a pretty loaded question Rich, however it is an easy question for me to answer.
Honey contains as many antioxidants which are just as important to our every day health needs as most fruits and vegetables. In some cases more so. Honey also contains practically every vitamin and mineral we need.

NJR

But isn't honey just another form of sugar?

Jan

Therein lies the confusion; so many people are under that miscon-ception. Actually honey is a form of pre-digested sugar unlike refined sugar which is a negative nutrient. This means that sugar is literally devoid of nutrition and using it actually makes your body use up stored nutrients to process it.

Honey on the other hand has many beneficial nutrients which are released slowly into your system. Did you know that top athletes drink honey water as an energy drink? They know this gives them the energy they need to power them along in their chosen sport. It is also far sweeter than sugar although slightly higher in calories but because you need to use far less you can actually save on the calories.

NJR

Is all honey the same?

Jan

Gosh no, there are so many types of honey and also plenty of fakes out there on sale. This can cause an awful lot of confusion to many. Generally it is best to buy your honey locally from a local beekeeper or a local farmers market. They, along with their honey bees produce what is known as raw honey. Most honey connoisseurs seek this out because it helps them greatly with their allergies, among other things.

If there is difficulty in locating raw honey it is best to buy from organic wholesalers. Organic honey undergoes the strictest of conditions and testing procedures.

NJR

What kind of procedures are we talking about here?

Jan

Any organic honey producer worth his salt keeps his hives within a five to six mile radius away from any form of pollution. This can include, inhabited areas, motorways, rubbish tips and even cattle farms.

Their "honey farms" are inspected regularly and their equipment is kept spotlessly clean. If these procedures are not adhered to, they cannot sell their product under the label of being authentic.

NJR

What else is good about honey?

Jan

The antioxidants it contains. Just as you believe and know antioxidants are an extremely important part of our daily diets. Our bodies need these. They slow down and mop up the effects of "free radicals" which cause damage to our DNA. This all helps with anti-aging and diseases such as arthritis, strokes and even some cancers.

NJR

On your website you state there are many not fully realized benefits of honey, can you explain exactly what they are?

Jan

Of course, honey is actually ancient medicine. It went out of fashion so to speak, with the introduction of man-made chemical antibiotics. Over the years we have become immune to these chemicals to the extent that they very often don't work! The medical profession has turned to our natural medicines once more.

For example, if you are suffering from a sore throat or even a stomach bug, eating honey will kill off the bad bacterium that cause these but leave the good bacteria we need alone. Unlike the man-made medicines we buy over the counter, which,unfortunately kill off the good bacteria too.

NJR

Is there anything else that honey is good for?

Jan

There is so much more which I can't possibly cover in this article! But please allow me to briefly give you another example.

Were you aware of the research that has been carried out by Dr Peter Molam from the Waikato University in New Zealand? He has spent the best part of thirty years studying the effects of a honey called Manuka. Through his research it has been proven this honey will heal burns and the wounds from operations far more effectively than any cream or lotion invented by man. Although his research has mainly involved this Manuka honey he believes that a good raw honey is equally effective.

NJR

So in your considered opinion, honey is not only good for our health from a nutrition standpoint but also as a natural medicine?

Jan

Absolutely! By including honey and good fruits and vegetables in our diets we reduce considerably the chances of becoming ill. Your website has some fantastic recipes and many of these can be adapted to include honey. In fact honey can enhance the flavours too.

Try juicing with some of your favourite fruits and add a good spoonful of honey too and you really couldn't find a healthier drink anywhere. Next time you shop, pop along to your local market or good organic store and stock up on honey too.

It really won't even matter if you buy a large quantity as it will never go off. It has been discovered in Egyptian tombs from thousands of years ago and is still edible. Our honey bee friends pollinate most of your fruits and vegetables and they are also the only insect that produces food for humans.

NJR

Jan, thank you so much for the interview. It has been fascinating.

I know we barely touched on all of the health benefits of honey so I would recommend that anyone interested in knowing more go to Jan's website and explore. There is a lot to know! Again, you can find Jan at:
health-benefits-of-honey.com

End of Interview