Issue :- 3
Honey
A thick, golden liquid produced by industrious bees, honey is made using the nectar of flowering plants and is saved inside the beehive for eating during times of scarcity. But how do bees make honey?
Nectar — a sugary liquid — is extracted from flowers using a bee's long, tube-shaped tongue and stored in its extra stomach, or "crop." While sloshing around in the crop, the nectar mixes with enzymes that transform its chemical composition and pH, making it more suitable for long-term storage.
Honey Is Also Antiviral, Anti-fungal And Full Of Antioxidants:
Not only is honey anti-bacterial, but it is antiviral and anti-fungal. These properties alone make it more powerful than conventional antibiotics. Honey can target undetected fungal conditions that may be at the root cause of perpetual illness.
Health Benefits of Honey
The health benefits of honey :
Nature's Energy Booster
The benefits of honey go beyond its great taste. A great natural source of carbohydrates which provide strength and energy to our bodies, honey is known for its effectiveness in instantly boosting the performance, endurance and reduce muscle fatigue of athletes. Its natural sugars play an important role in preventing fatigue during exercise. The glucose in honey is absorbed by the body quickly and gives an immediate energy boost, while the fructose is absorbed more slowly providing sustained energy. It is known that honey has also been found to keep levels of blood sugar fairly constant compared to other types of sugar. So, to experience these health benefits of honey, here are a few tips for you:
- Next time before you go for a workout, take a spoon of honey to enable you to go for the extra mile.
- If you are feeling low and lethargic in the morning, instead of reaching out for a can of carbonated energy drink , try honey. Spread it on hot toast or replace the sugar in your tea with it for a refreshing surge of energy.
- If your kids are finding hard to cope with the physical strain from the buzzing activities at school, prepare them a honey drink, some sandwiches with honey, butter and ham to make sure they have enough energy to sustain through the day. And for optimal sleep and recovery cycle at night, give your child a spoonful of honey before sleep on a daily basis. They may not care a bit about the health benefits of honey now, but will be grateful and love what you do for them when they grow up!
Honey is a nourishing ingredient for the body as well as hair and skin. If you’ve switched from sugar to honey in your tea, it is time to reap in its beauty benefits too. Honey not only nourishes and soothes your skin, but its anti-bacterial and hydrating properties rejuvenate it and reduce blemishes. Below are a few home-made honey packs for bot
Silky hair
If you want manageable and silky hair especially during the monsoons, apply this pack on your hair.
- Mix two tablespoons of curd, two eggs, juice of lemon and five drops of honey in a bowl.
- Apply it on your scalp and hair.
- Keep it for half-an-hour before washing it off with water.
Shiny locks
Another hair pack using honey is mixing it with olive oil and applying it on your locks.
- Keep it on for some time and then wash it off.
- This will add a shine to them.
Unwanted hair
If unwanted facial hair is what you are looking to get rid of, then try this home remedy.
- In a vessel, take one teaspoon of honey, one tablespoon of sugar and a few drops of lemon juice.
- Beat it into a smooth paste.
- Now heat it in a microwave for up to three minutes.
- Touch to see if it isn’t too hot and apply it on the area you want to pluck hair from in the same direction as the hair growth.
- Now take a strip of cloth and place it on top and pull it in the opposite direction.
- This will remove the hair from the root and your face will be hair-free for a prolonged period. Here’s what you should know about laser hair reduction to get rid of
Flawless skin
If smooth and flawless skin is what you desire, make a honey face mask. This will not only remove impurities but also make your skin soft and supple.
- Mix honey, besan, malai, chandan and rose oil together and apply it on your face and neck.
- Now leave it to dry and then peel it off after some time.
- Use it once in a week for better results.
Benefits of Honey in Relation to Weight Loss
Honey and Warm Water
Normally, fat remains as an unused resource in the body, adding bulk and weight, but it is believed that honey has the ability to mobilize this stored fat. When this fat is burnt to provide energy for your daily activities, you will see a gradual decrease in weight and a relief from the problems of obesity.
Honey has also been shown to positively increase the levels of “good” cholesterol in the body, and also reduces cardiovascular strain, which means you can lead a more active, healthy life, which will further promote your weight loss programs, since you won’t be worried as much about artherosclerosis, or the risk of heart attacks or strokes when going for a morning run! Research suggests that drinking honey (about one tablespoon daily), with an equal amount of warm water can stimulate this beneficial process.
Honey and Lemon Juice
Honey can also help in weight loss when consumed with warm water and lemon juice. Many people drink this formula as a start to their day as a way of stimulating weight loss. Honey is packed with 22 amino acids and a number of valuable vitamins and minerals, many of which benefit the body’s metabolism. By regulating the function of the metabolism, food is utilized properly, fat is converted into usable energy, and overall health is improved. The lemon juice in this mixture also is loaded with Vitamin-C (also known as ascorbic acid), which increases liver function and fat metabolism. Furthermore, lemon juice increases the function of glutathione, which is a key antioxidant for detoxification and quick slimming. Combining the weight loss powers of lemon juice with the metabolism-stimulating effects of honey, this elixir, if drunk once a day, can give you some seriously attractive results!
Honey and cinnamon
Another popular recipe combines cinnamon with honey and warm water. Research studies suggest that the use of cinnamon is beneficial for weight loss.
Mix one tablespoon of cinnamon power with one tablespoon of honey and one cup of warm water. Thoroughly mix these ingredients and drink it on an empty stomach.
Cinnamon has also been shown to have a regulating effect on blood sugar levels, and the metabolism of glucose. High blood sugar levels can lead to increased storage of fat in the body, so cinnamon has a positive impact on this aspect of weight loss. Combined with the metabolism power of honey, this mixture can be a powerful boost to your weight loss efforts.
Hibernation Diet
With all of the new diets that spring up every year, it is difficult to know which one will benefit your body and weight loss efforts. One aspect of the hibernation diet to lose weight is to consume a spoonful of honey before going to bed. As you sleep, the honey will continue stimulating liver function, keep your metabolism burning fat, and easing the amount of stress hormones which are in your system. As the name implies, it helps you hibernate in a healthy and relaxing way!
Improves Digestion
Honey also improves your digestion, which can help in reducing static weight in your digestive system. Therefore, honey can be consumed after dinner, particularly after eating a large meal
Good Substitute of Sugar
Honey is a good substitute of sugar. It can be used in different beverages such as tea, lime juice. Among other food items, it can be used in desserts, pancakes instead of sugar. One may add honey to oatmeal, peanut butter sandwich for additional nutrients, good taste and a lower risk of weight gain.
Many people stop eating to reduce their weight, but this is a potentially dangerous practice. If you don’t eat enough food, which is the primary way of acquiring calories, vitamins, minerals, and fiber, your immune system will weaken.
Your weight loss program should focus on reducing the intake of calories, rather than stopping the intake of calories. Furthermore, you should also increase your daily elimination of calories through regular exercise.
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