Raw honey is the only unheated, pure, unpasteurised, unprocessed honey. It is the concentrated nectar of flowers that comes straight from the honey comb. The health benefits of honey depend on its quality and quality is mostly affected by the processing involved during extraction and bottling. Processing involving heating and fine filtering removes many of the phytonutrients found in raw honey as it exists in the hive. It destroys vitamins as well as yeast and enzymes which are responsible for activating vitamins and minerals in the human body. Raw honey contains pollen and small amounts of the same resins found in propolis. Bees collect pollen on their legs as they move from plant to plant. This pollen is as healthful and as rich as those plants are. Propolis is a complex mixture of antibacterial, antiviral and antifungal resins and other substances that honeybees use in order to seal cracks in the hive, protecting it from bacteria and other micro-organisms.
Most honey found in the supermarket is not raw, but “commercial”. It has been heated and filtered so that it looks cleaner, smoother and more appealing on the shelf. It is also easier to handle and package.
Raw honey is the healthiest choice amongst the various forms of honey because it concentrates the most nutritional value. It also has the best flavour.
Each tablespoon of raw honey supplies the body with 64 calories of pure, good energy. Raw honey's composition, on average, is 17.1% water, 82.4% carbohydrates and 0.5% proteins, amino acids, vitamins and minerals. The average carbohydrate contents are mainly fructose (38.5%) and glucose (31%).
Unlike most other natural sweeteners, raw honey contains small amounts of a wide array of vitamins, minerals, amino acids, and antioxidants. Some of the vitamins found in raw honey are vitamin B6, vitamin C, thiamine, niacin, riboflavin, and pantothenic acid. Essential minerals including calcium, copper, iron, magnesium, manganese, phosphorus, potassium, sodium, and zinc have also been identified in honey too. The antioxidant called pinocembrin is only found in raw honey. Raw honey is fat, cholesterol and sodium free.
What do scientific studies say about the benefits of raw honey health? You may be surprised to learn that the future of your health has never been sweeter than this!
For something so delicious and sweet, the health benefits of raw honey may seem too good to be true. It seems incredible that it is sweeter than sugar, but does not cause weight gain when consumed in moderation. In addition, as it’s a powerful antioxidant, it has all the goodness of fruits and vegetables. Being antibacterial and antifungal, it can be applied on the skin to reduce wrinkles and remove pimples! Surely, the future of your health has never been any sweeter than this!