Honey comes with some pretty sweet benefits. This golden nectar has been consumed, adored, and downright worshiped for thousands of years. Seriously, do bees even know how popular they are? From nutritionists to doctors, we’re going to jump right into why everyone’s buzzing about honey.
The Buzz on Honey: Is It Better Than Sugar?
Don’t think of honey as a buzzkill alternative to sugar. It’s not like that. Unlike plain old sugar, honey is teeming with vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants that make it a wholesome choice as a sugar substitute.
Honey also comes with a lower Glycemic Index (GI) than sugar. This means it causes a slower rise in blood sugar levels, providing a steady and sustained energy boost. Bye bye, sugar crashes. Who says energy drinks give you wings when the real hero is honey?
Honey’s Nutritional Facts
Honey's composition is a harmonious blend of approximately 40% fructose and 30% glucose. But honey doesn't stop there. It also boasts an array of essential minerals, including iron, calcium, potassium, zinc, and magnesium. These minerals are paramount in maintaining bone health, supporting muscle function, and keeping our bodies balanced.
Here’s what comes in just one tablespoon of honey:
- 17.3g carbohydrate
- 17.25g sugars
- 0.06 protein
- 1.26mg calcium
- 0g fat
Buzzworthy Benefits of Honey
Oh honey, where do we begin? Honey's natural sweetness is just the beginning of its big benefits. The abundance of antioxidants in honey helps you fight off free radicals. It also contains anti-inflammatory properties that can soothe various ailments.
Feeling under the weather? Honey is your go-to. Its antibacterial properties can aid in healing wounds and provide relief from lingering coughs. And hey, if you thought it couldn't get any better, honey has been even linked to promoting heart health and supporting your cardiovascular system. More on this below.
5 Ways How Honey Can Help With…
Cardiovascular Disease
As mentioned earlier, honey's antioxidants and anti-inflammatory properties help reduce the risk of heart disease. It has also been known to help with balancing cholesterol levels.
Coughing
The natural cough-suppressant qualities of honey can provide you with some much-needed relief when a stubborn cough comes knocking on your door. Just mix it with warm water or tea.
Gastrointestinal (GI) Issues
Honey has been used for ages to soothe stomach aches and more. Its antibacterial properties can help fight off harmful bacteria in the gut while its anti-inflammatory nature calms abdominal discomfort.
Neurological Disease
Even though more research is needed, honey has been linked to helping those with neurological diseases and memory issues, like memory loss in people with dementia.
Wound Care
Honey's antimicrobial properties make it a great natural option for wound healing. It helps keep infections at bay and promotes faster recovery.
Honey: It’s the Bee's Knees
Not only is honey sweeter in taste, but it also comes with a hive full of health benefits. From its lower GI to its antioxidant-rich and anti-inflammatory properties, honey is truly a sweet kitchen essential. And it’s why we use it as a natural sweetener in our flavor-packed protein bars.
The next time you drizzle honey over your toast, add it to your tea, or bite into one of our Almond Honey Protein Bars, take a moment to savor it. Get the nutrition you need, and shop Rise Bar—the simple protein bar for busy bees.
Fun fact: did you know that bees actually have knees? They must do great on leg days.
