5 unique health benefits of honey

2025-08-17 17:19:00, Shëndeti CNA

Honey is a syrupy liquid that bees make from the nectar of plants. It is a common ingredient in many foods and is available in many forms.

The product also has several health benefits and plays a role in many home remedies and alternative medicine treatments.

1. Contains a variety of nutrients

One tablespoon, or 20 grams (g) of honey contains:

Calories: 61

Fat: 0 g

Protein: 0 g

Carbohydrates: 17 g

Fiber: 0 g

Riboflavin: 1% of the Daily Value (DV)

Copper: 1% DV

Honey is essentially pure sugar, with no fat and only small amounts of protein and fiber. It contains small amounts of several nutrients, but most people do not typically consume enough honey to be a significant dietary source of vitamins and minerals.

However, it is worth noting that honey is rich in health-promoting plant compounds known as polyphenols.

2. Rich in antioxidants

Minimally processed honey contains many important plant bioactive compounds and antioxidants, such as flavonoids and phenolic acids. Darker varieties tend to provide more antioxidants than lighter varieties.

5 unique health benefits of honey

3. It may improve heart health

Honey may also help prevent heart disease. According to one review, honey may help lower blood pressure, improve blood fat levels, regulate heart rate, and prevent the death of healthy cells, all factors that can improve the function and health of your heart.

An observational study, involving over 4,500 people over the age of 40, linked moderate honey consumption to a lower risk of high blood pressure in women.

4. Promotes healing of burns and wounds

There is historical precedent for the use of topical honey treatment to heal wounds and burns. The practice is still common today.

A review of 26 studies on honey and wound care found it most effective in healing partial-thickness burns and wounds that have become infected after surgery.

Manuka honey, in particular, may have positive applications in burn treatments. However, if you have a severe burn, home remedies are not a viable substitute for emergency care and you should seek medical attention immediately.

5 unique health benefits of honey

5. It can help cure coughs in children

Coughing is a common problem for children with upper respiratory tract infections. These infections can affect sleep and quality of life for children and parents.

A review of several studies on honey and cough in children found that honey appears to be more effective than diphenhydramine for cough symptoms. It may also help reduce the duration of the cough.

Another review noted that it may also improve sleep quality in children with coughs, as well as their parents. What’s more, unlike some cough medicines, honey has no side effects.

However, never give honey to children under 1 year old due to the risk of botulism.

Honey is easy to add to the diet.

To get a small dose of antioxidants from honey, you can use it in the same way you would normally use sugar. It's great for sweetening yogurt, coffee, or tea. You can also use it in cooking and baking./CNA