If there's one thing about bees and humans, we go way back. Evidence shows that humans in Spain were foraging for honey as long as 15,000 years ago, but evidence of organized beekeeping didn't appear until 4000 BC in ancient Egypt. Although humans raise bees for things like beeswax and pollination purposes, we all know why we have had such a relationship with bees, and the reason is... sweet.
Raw honey. Miel de abeja, liquid gold; whatever you call it, we all know that most people think it tastes good, but did you know it is good for you too? But how good for you is it exactly?
You're in the right place, I guarantee it.
Before diving in, I need to define "raw honey".
It is honey as it exists in the hive.
No filtering, no pasteurization, no adulteration, NOTHING!
Raw honey is honey that goes from hive to jar, and only from hive to jar. Anything otherwise is not raw honey.
Example. You're perusing, perambulating, frolicking in a supermarket, and you see something labelled "honey" and pick it up.
Transparent, liquid gold; or... is it.
Chances are that the honey you picked up has been pasteurized and processed.
You picked up honey that has had its nutrients, enzymes, and other bioactive components stripped.
You picked up honey that probably has added refined sugars to make it taste "better" (and, in all seriousness, make it and other foods with similar sugars more addictive).
What you picked up is bee sweetener.
Enter Raw Honey.
The real stuff. The best stuff. But what exactly makes it the best stuff?
Contains Powerful Antioxidants
Honey is chock-full of phytochemicals, flavinoids, and polyphenols. These bioactive chemicals are proven to protect cells from oxidative stress, which can protect the body from heart disease, type 2 diabetes, and even certain cancers. Among this, honey doesn't go bad, and the reason for this is that the chemical composition of honey is not favourable for microbe growth. When beekeepers take honey from the hive, we make sure that the honey contains around 12-14% water. Less is better, but nothing more than 14%. The low water content coupled with the high sugar content and presence of phytonutrients and naturally occurring hydrogen peroxide makes it very unfavourable for microbial growth, which brings me to the next benefit...
A Pathogen Zapper
From a naked-eye view, one benefit of honey is that it is very viscous, which pathogenic bacteria do not take very well to. But at the microscopic and molecular level, honey can directly kill bacteria and fungi, which show pathogenicity in humans and other mammals. Honey has shown antibiotic effects on many bacteria, including Escherichia coli (E. coli), vancomycin-resistant enterococci (VRE), and staphylococcus infections, including strains like MRSA.
Can Facilitate Wound Healing
With its antibacterial, antioxidant, and anti-inflammatory properties, honey helps wounds and even partial thickness burns heal faster due to the enzymes present in honey and how they produce hydrogen peroxide. When I first started beekeeping (and the stings felt more like stings instead of mosquito bites like they do now), I used to put honey on them, and it did a pretty good job alleviating the inflammation for the time it was on my skin. You can apply honey to wounds by applying it to the dressing first, then applying the honey dressing to the skin for the best effect.
May Boost Brain Power
Studies have shown that raw honey can be used as a nootropic due to the presence of polyphenols and flavonoids. They work to fill memory deficits. These polyphenols are also studied to have neuroprotective properties as well. Although the research behind the neuroprotective and nootropic effects is scarce, the evidence is promising and can probably be used to formulate future treatments.
Can Improve Digestion
There are many things that raw and unfiltered honey contains many things that processed honey doesn't, one of which is pollen. Pollen contains enzymes that catalyze some digestive processes, thus improving digestive function.
Can Increase Athletic Performance
Eating raw honey before and even during exercise can contribute to better athletic performance and recovery because honey has a low glycemic index compared to other pre-workout supplements. Low GI foods are better "time release" foods, meaning that honey can sustain energy over a longer period while dampening fatigue's effects. Along with this, prolonged supplementation when coupled with exercise, can improve bone health, and honey as a post-workout can shorten recovery time as well. Give a spoonful of honey a try before (or during) your next workout or even afterwards! The Apiary has raw honey squeeze packets if you want some to try. Easy to carry and can be used for anything honey is used for!
It must be said that although honey is a superfood, it should NEVER be given to children under the age of 1.
There are way more benefits than listed in this post, so look for a Part 2 on this topic here at The Sage Beekeeper.
Thanks for reading, and you have a BEE-beautiful day!