consciouseating
One of the oldest
sweeteners used by man,
Honey Almighty
honey remains a perennial
favorite for good reason,
Legendary Sweet Packs a Punch
with far more to recommend
it than just savoring its
by Amber lanier Nagle
sweetness.
C
ivilizations have long revered
honey for its sweetness, medici-
nal properties and other useful
applications. Ancient Egyptians used
honey as a sugary condiment and a
key ingredient in embalming fluid.
Early Greeks believed it had powerful
wound-healing properties.
In America, honey reigned as a
home remedy for various illnesses and
infections until the middle of the 20th
century, when it was supplanted by
penicillin. Today, the sweet stuff is mak-
ing a comeback, as modern science
confirms honey’s health-promoting
benefits.
More than 300 types of honey are
tion. Other studies confirm that honey
Memphis Exercise and Sport Nutrition
available in the United States; each
contains numerous antioxidants. They
Laboratory, evaluated the effectiveness
carries a distinctive color and flavor,
include chrysin, pinobanksin, vitamin
of commercial sports gels and honey.
depending on the bees’ nectar source.
C, catalase and pinocembrin, which all
The researchers concluded that honey
In general, lighter-colored honeys (like
help to prevent and repair cellular dam-
is an excellent pre-workout energy
clover honey) are milder in taste, while
age from disease-causing free radicals.
source, in part because it is easily
darker-colored honeys (like buckwheat
The amount and type of these
digested and released into the body at a
honey) are stronger.
goodies available depend largely upon
steady rate.
the floral source of the honey. Darker
A companion study indicated that
Antioxidants
honeys usually contain higher levels of
honey is also an effective post-work-
& Other Nutrients
antioxidants than lighter varieties.
out carbohydrate source when paired
with protein. Weight-trained men and
The National Honey Board character-
izes honey as a natural source of simple
Athletic Prowess
women who consumed a powdered
carbohydrates, composed of fructose
For athletes, carbohydrates enhance
honey-protein combination drink not
(about 38.5 percent), glucose (about
performance and recovery. A natural,
only sustained optimal blood sugar
31 percent), sucrose, maltose and other
convenient and inexpensive source
levels for two hours after their workout,
sugars. It contains enzymes and other
of carbohydrates, honey, provides 17
they showed favorable changes in a
compounds derived from bees and
grams per tablespoon.
hormone measurement that indicates
flowers, as well as small amounts of
One study at the University of
positive muscle recovery.
vitamins and minerals, such as niacin,
riboflavin, pantothenic acid, calcium,
copper, iron, magnesium, manganese,
many monofloral honeys contain an enzyme that produces
phosphorus and potassium.
A University of California-Davis
low levels of hydrogen peroxide, a natural antiseptic. Honey’s
study detected higher levels of polyphe-
ability to keep the area around a wound sealed, moist and
nolic antioxidants in participants after
just one month of honey supplementa-
protected, promotes rapid healing and helps prevent scars.
2 Collier / Lee Counties
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