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Honey is a natural alternative to sugar. Studies show that this sweet superfood can help boost your brain health and suppress a pesky cough.

Honey isn’t just good on pancakes or oatmeal. This natural sweetener can also be used as a natural home remedy for cuts and scrapes.

Honey is made up primarily of water and sugar, mostly fructose and glucose, along with fructooligosaccharide (FOS), a prebiotic. FOS are low-calorie. They’re also non-digestible, so they don’t affect your blood sugar levels.

FOS also offer several health benefits:

• Because FOS are not digestible, they travel intact through your small intestine to your colon, or large intestine, where they support the growth of “good” gut bacteria.
• According to a study, FOS can help protect you from unhealthy bacteria. For instance, FOS has been found to suppress the growth of Clostridium perfringens, a toxic bacteria linked to food poisoning.
• FOS can also help decrease cholesterol levels. In an animal study, researchers reported that FOS helped reduce both weight and cholesterol levels in rats and dogs.
• FOS are also full of soluble dietary fiber. In a separate study, scientists discovered that FOS can help reduce or prevent constipation.

Aside from the prebiotic, FOS, honey also contains essential vitamins and minerals like calcium, magnesium and potassium. It’s healing benefits are mostly linked to its natural antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties.

There are more than 300 different kinds of honey in America alone. The color, scent and flavor of honey are all determined by the flower nectar and bee that produces it.

When buying honey, look for the raw, unfiltered kind because it’s the least processed and contains the most antioxidants. Raw honey is considered safe to eat, but don’t give it to children younger than one who should avoid all kinds of honey.

When used as a topical treatment, honey’s pollen grains have great antioxidant and antibiotic properties. Raw honey is also considered a superfood because of its impressive nutrient profile. Most home remedies use honey to treat common complaints like stomach ache and skin infections.

Here are four amazing and scientifically proven health benefits of honey, the sweet and syrupy superfood.

Honey can help suppress a cough

If you have a child with a cough, give them some honey to soothe their symptoms.

In a 2012 study, researchers found that children with upper respiratory tract infections who consumed 1.5 teaspoons of either eucalyptus honey, citrus honey or labiatae (mint) honey 30 minutes before bedtime experienced significant cough relief and slept better than other sick children who were given a placebo.

Honey can help boost your brain health

Results of a 2011 study revealed that taking at least three teaspoons of tualang honey, a Malaysian multi-floral jungle honey, helped improve the memory of postmenopausal women.

After 16 weeks, researchers reported that the volunteers’ short-term memory had improved almost as much as the participants who had received estrogen and progestin therapy.

Honey can help heal cuts and scrapes

When used topically, honey can help heal abrasions, bedsores and cracked nipples. A 2017 study also proved that honey’s antibacterial properties can help clean wounds, minimize inflammation and promote new tissue growth.

To use honey for first aid, put enough honey on a bandage to cover the affected area and apply. Researchers have found that this is more effective than putting honey directly on the wound.

Honey helps soothe burns

According to a study, you can use honey to soothe the pain caused by burns. Honey can help relieve pain and help burn wounds heal faster.

Incorporating honey into your regular diet

You can consume honey as is or use it as a sugar substitute. But if you want to experiment, here are some suggestions on how to use honey in the kitchen:

• Make a delicious honey butter spread for toast or pancakes.
• Make a challah with honey.
• Use honey to make tasty sauces for meat or salad dressings.
• Add honey to bisques or carrot soup.
• Make baked beans with a bit of honey.
• Bake banana bread with honey.
• Use honey to make chewy snack bars.
• Bake cakes and cookies with honey as a natural sweetener.

Boost your brain health and suppress a cough by using honey as a natural sweetener for your drinks or favorite dishes.

Sources:

GoodHousekeeping.com

Healthline.com

Health.ClevelandClinic.org

Recipes.HowStuffWorks.com