An article of Fotini Vassilopoulou You can not imagine how useful it is every morning you put honey on your bread, toast or coffee. You have infinite sweetness, but it is not just a sweetener such as sugar. This is a unique product, rich in nutrients, known since antiquity for its beneficial effect on health. Today, new scientific research come to verify these properties. How does it benefit our body and mind? • We provide our system with energy as a source of simple and complex carbohydrates. • The antioxidant ingredients have a very beneficial effect on our body. Research data show that some antioxidants (such as caffeic acid, methyl-caffeic acid, fainylethyl-caffeic acid and caffeic acid-fainylethyl) have significant anticancer activity. In particular, scientific study showed that supply of these antioxidants (Michon Animal) inhibited proliferation of tumor cells in cancer. • In the form of poultice, it has a positive effect in patients with chronic wounds and ulcers. This is because it contains sugar, which absorb fluids from the wound, thus inhibiting the growth of microbes which need moisture to survive and multiply. In addition, honey contains an enzyme,called glucose oxidation, which promotes the production of hydrogen, a substance with mild antiseptic properties. Its antibacterial action is due to a large extent on the antioxidant pinosemprini, located almost exclusively in honey. •Honey contributes to the smooth functioning of the intestine. To honey is considered one of the best natural, slightly laxatives. The fructose it contains is absorbed more difficult and in combination with choline it stimulates the bowels and prevents constipation. • It is soothing and relaxing. According to experts, one tablespoon of honey in warm milk facilitates sleep. • The high percentage of fructose in combination with enzymes containing honey, helps those who are intoxicated to recover more quickly. * For this purpose, dissolve 2 tablespoons of honey in a little lemon juice. • Honey contains 17% water, so it has a moisturizing effect.
A new antibiotic? An international study is in progress comparing honey with existing antibacterial drugs. Lead researcher, Dr. Arne Simon, Department of Pediatrics, University of Bonn in Germany, has already used honey in patients not responding to treatment. Some of them have already started to react positively. The patients were often children whose immune system was weakened due to chemotherapy, which left wounds that were vulnerable to infections. In 1 / 3 of these children received antibiotics, while the wounds of the others were covered with honey. A typical example was a child whose wounds were infected with the lethal variety of staphylococcus aureus which is resistant to strong antibiotics. While the child's body could not respond to drugs, finally it got rid of this resistant organism 48 hours after receiving treatment with honey. Honey instead of cough syrup? Hippocrates recommended honey solution for cough and irritation of the pharynx and larynx. Much later, the same method was followed by our grandmothers. Thus, it seems that they were right, and by now the scientific findings suggest it. In an interesting recent study, doctors from the University of Pennsylvania studied the antitussive action of honey in children and adolescents aged 2-18 years and found that a small dose of honey before bedtime provided more relief to children during the night compared to dextromethorphan, a cough depressant substance contained in many cough medications. What's in a jar of honey The honey gives our organization a number of nutrients. It is a mixture of sugars and other ingredients. With regard to carbohydrates, honey is mainly fructose (about 38.5%) and glucose (about 31%) and contains smaller percentages of maltose, sucrose and galactose. The content in protein is low and in fat zero.
Analytically it contains: • A variety of amino acids such as proline, phenylalanine, tyrosine, valine, etc. • A variety of antioxidants (vitamin C, chrysin, catalase, etc.). • Small but variable amounts of trace elements and vitamins such as vitamin C, vitamin B6, riboflavin, pantothenic acid, calcium, phosphorus, magnesium, sodium, potassium, iron, zinc, etc. All honeys are not the same The composition, quality, sensory elements, even the form of honey vary from plant to plant, region to region and even from year to year, because they are affected by weather and animals. The darker honeys have higher amounts of antioxidant components. Pine Honey. The pine honey is highly nutritious and is mainly due to the large number of different substances present in the recommendation. Since these substances exist as metals and minerals (calcium, magnesium, zinc, iron, copper, etc.) that are in high concentrations in Greek pine Honey: It is rich in minerals (potassium, magnesium, phosphorus, iron, etc.). Contains vitamins in very small quantities, but even this dose helps in better assimilation of sugars by the body. Chestnut Honey. Produced by the nectar and honey secretions of chestnut, which is considered good apiculture plant as it offers exceptional quality pollen. Apart from trace elements, it can act as an astringent in cases of dysentery. Thyme Honey. It is considered the highest quality honey because of splendid color, flavor and its stimulant and antiseptic properties. It works well for preventive cardiovascular disorders and has a beneficial effect in diseases of the urinary and digestive system.
Heather Honey (ereikomelo). This is a very nutritious honey, which is highly stimulating for the human body, and mainly sold in health food stores.
Sunflower Honey. Sunflower is cultivated in large areas in Greece, especially in northern Greece, and gives a rich honey production. This honey is a good source of polyphenols. Other bee products Propolis. Propolis is a resinous substance which protects the young shoots of trees. The bees collect the pollen mixes with enzymes and beeswax, and use it to seal the cracks in the hive, to disinfect the walls and to sterilize the cells before the queen lays her eggs, to prevent pests entering the cells and generally provide the bees a healthy environment. Propolis has a reputation as a natural antibiotic and research has been done to strengthen these opinions. Propolis contains wax, balsams, resins and essential oils in very large quantities. The wax gives it the healing action of resins, balsams and essential oils with antibacterial and antiviral properties. Propolis appears to stimulate the immune system, activating the body's natural defenses. It also has beneficial effects on the digestive system. Available in various formulations, such as tincture, ointment, capsules. Pollen. Pollen is best known because of allergies cause, but few know that grains are a highly nutritious natural product with tonic properties. A spoonful of pollen cover the daily needs of our body in proteins, vitamins and minerals. The proteins are the 20% of the pollen’s ingredients. Furthermore, pollen is also a strong counter-anaimia product because it contains iron, which favors the formation of blood components. You can buy pollen in various forms. Beekeepers, immediately after collection, they can freeze and sell it packaged in jars. This is the most genuine product. However, travel trade and dehydrated powder, in glass jars and dried beans, which can be added to fruit juices, yogurt or salad.
Royal Jelly. It is a creamy natural substance secreted by glands of bees ypofaryngikous. Worker bees produce this food only to feed the queens and the larvaes. It is significant that the queen lives up to fifty times more than the simple worker and manages to give birth any day up to 2,000 eggs. Many scientists believe that the performance of them, both in longevity and fertility, due to the daily consumption of royal jelly. Royal Jelly is rich in minerals especially calcium, potassium and magnesium. It is a source of vitamins, enzymes and a group of components that have remained unclear. The content of royal jelly in all of these nutrients makes it a food with many beneficial properties such as: • stimulates the tired and weary bodies and accelerating their recovery. • Strengthens the immune system. • considered that stimulates sexual desire. • Contributes to healthy skin and tissues. • It has antiseptic and antibacterial properties.
Wax. Wax is another bee product with many beneficial properties. Produced by Kirogonous glands in the abdomen of female bees and used to construct the cells. Chewing white and tasteless wax is good for those with orthodontic additions. It has healing and anti-inflammatory properties and so it is ideal to soothe injuries or irritation of the mouth. The wax used for candlemaking, contained in medicinal products (eg, suppositories, and ointments for skin burns, etc.) and in many cosmetics (lipsticks, creams, etc.).
