Honey and Health
Honey Fights Cholesterol as Well as Some Fruits and Vegetables
Don't like leafy greens such as spinach? Try honey then.
It contains about the same level of plaque-fighting antioxidants
as the leafy green vegetable. This is according to research
presented at the national meeting of the American Chemical
Society, the world's largest scientific society, the range
of antioxidants in honey is comparable to that in apples,
bananas, oranges and strawberries.
A five-week study indicates that drinking a mixture of water
and honey, about four tablespoons per 16-ounce glass, improved
the antioxidant levels in the recipients of the study. Nicki
Engeseth, Ph.D., of the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign,
who conducted the study, says this means that honey may have
the potential to protect against heart disease.
"It looks like honey is having a mild protective effect,"
Engeseth said. She added, however, that this should not be
taken as an excuse to avoid fruits and vegetables.
Although it's been known for some time that honey contains
varying levels of antioxidants - with dark honey, such as
Buckwheat, generally having the most - this is the first in
vivo study to consider how honey may affect human blood.
So next time you enjoy your honey, you know it is also great
for you.To
learn more about dark honey such as Buckwheat, click here.
Research sponsored by the National Honey Board.
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