Oh Honey Honey: The Benefits of Honey

The benefits of honey should never be underestimated. Not only is it a tasty addition to any dish, but it has many skincare and wellness benefits. Honey is rich with antioxidants and nutrients that have made it a popular natural home remedy as an alternative to medicine, wellness, and skincare ingredients for centuries.  

The wintertime is especially harsh on our physical health and skin, but honey is the best friend you need to feel and look your best during the winter months.  

Honey starts as a flower where the nectar is collected by bees, which is then broken down into sugars stored inside the honeycomb. Essentially the honey contains sugar with traces of protein and fiber. Even though honey is nutritious, most people don’t consume enough to take in the full nutritional benefits. Still, honey can be consumed in many ways, so it's worth consuming in any way you can. Whether your honey is added to your morning tea or a part of your skincare routine, there are many great benefits to using honey.  

Why We Love Honey:

• Fights Cold & Flu Symptoms 
  Studies have found that eating a spoonful of honey can help to relieve cold and flu symptoms. The antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, and antimicrobial properties in honey can fight against coughs, soothe a sore throat, and relieve raspatory issues caused by cold and flu infections.  
  Tip: Add some honey to a cup of warm lemon water to relieve congestion and boost your immune system.   

• Energy Giver 
  Honey is a natural source of energy that is rich in antioxidants and nutrients.  
  To keep it simple, carbohydrates provide us with energy and honey contains carbohydrates. So, when we consume honey, we are providing our body with a quick boost of energy.  

• A Healthier Alternative to Sugar (slightly) 
  Just like regular sugar, when consumed, honey will increase blood sugar levels. Honey is only a slightly healthier option as it contains more minerals, vitamins, and antioxidants (e.g. Vitamin C, calcium, and potassium).  
  With that said, it is recommended that, just as with sugar, you should consume honey in moderation.  We still need a healthy balance of honey and sugar in our diet. So, eat what is best for your body and consume in moderation.  

• Relaxing  
  Should you have a spoonful of honey before bed? 
  Well, according to recent studies, honey can help you to unwind and sleep better. This is because honey contains tryptophan, which is an essential amino acid that the body cannot naturally produce. When you eat honey in the evening, this hormone sends sleep signals to the body to help the mind and body relax better in the evening.  

• Strengthens the Immune System  
  The richness of antioxidants and antibacterial properties in honey can strengthen the immune system and help the body fight against infections, viruses, and bacteria. So, if you suffer from constant colds and flu symptoms (which feels like the whole winter season), or you need to give your body a healthy boost, then adding some honey to your diet might be a lifesaver.  

• A Star Skincare Ingredient  
  Honey is a skincare ingredient that has become widely popular in recent years and rightfully so. Honey is a great ingredient to add to your winter skincare routine. This is when the skin starts to feel drier and in some cases, the skin barrier might be compromised. But honey is deeply nourishing, hydrating, and healing for the skin, so this makes it a great ingredient to add to your winter skincare routine when your skin needs some extra love and a boost of moisture.  
  When applied to the skin, the antibacterial and antioxidant properties in honey can penetrate deep into the skin to kill bacteria to calm irradiated or inflamed skin (acne-prone skin). Honey also contains amino acids and antioxidants that work wonders for improving skin health, fighting free radicals, and strengthening the skin barrier (making sure your skin barrier is healthy is the very basics of skincare. One of the most important ways to care for your skin and keep your skin looking and feeling healthy is to protect the skin barrier).  

• Accessible & Affordable
  The best thing about honey is that it is accessible and affordable. Honey can be added to a breakfast bowl of oats, a glass of water, or your favorite fruits or teas.  
  Thanks to the boom of the international skincare industry, there are so many products on the market that include honey or have dedicated honey skincare collections so that you can find something that works specifically for your skin.  

Whether you choose to add honey to your meal or your skincare routine, know that your skin, body, and mind will get to enjoy all the healing and calming benefits so that you can feel your best all winter season.