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Real Estate Experts
Villagers
Honey to the Bee
Tuesday, 21 February 2012 13:54
Superfoods are getting a lot of buzz these days. Superfoods refer to nutritionally dense foods from around the world. For the most part, they are foods that have been traditionally eaten for their great health benefits and healing properties by the people and civilizations where they are grown. One superfood that we all have in our cupboard but probably do not give much thought to is honey. Honey is one of the oldest agriculture products that goes back millions of years. Egyptians farmed honey and considered it sacred over 3 000 years ago. Raw honey is considered a superfood because it provides antioxidants, minerals, vitamins, amino acids, enzymes, and phytonutrients.
So what exactly is raw honey? This refers to honey that has not been processed or heated. You will recognize raw honey from its thick creamy appearance and texture, and incredible rich taste. If the honey in your cupboard looks more like a caramel syrup or comes in a bear, it is NOT raw honey. It has been highly processed-destroying beneficial enzymes and minerals, and is more like refined white sugaror corn syrup than real honey. Raw honey can be used to sweeten anything you would normally use sugar in.
Raw honey is loaded with vitamins and is particularly high in calcium, iron, zinc, potassium, phosphorous, magnesium, copper,chromium, manganese and selenium. Raw honey also contains amino acids and plant compoundsthat work to support the body's immune system. Raw honey is full of enzymes, which are essential for absorbing food, cellular health, and almost all other biological processes. Remember, once honey is heated and pasteurized, all of the beneficial enzymes are completely destroyed.
Honey is also packed with antioxidants. Raw honey can help to fight free radicals, it contains many ofthe same antioxidants that are in leafy green vegetables like broccoli, spinach, and kale. Flavonoids in honey help to increase energy and boost overall wellbeing. A unique flavonoid called Pinocembrin is found in raw honey, and has been shown to improve cognitive function.
Raw honey also has an antimicrobial effect against bacteria, and is a powerful natural healer, proven to work in healing many types of wounds. There are even more benefits to honey that may surprise you! Raw honey can offer relief from diarrhea, insomnia, sunburn, and sore throats. It can help to increase energy levels and boost the immune system -fighting off colds and flu. Honey also promotes the growth of good bacteria in your intestinal tract.
Once you try pure raw, unpasteurized honey, you will not be able to go back to your average processed grocery store honey. Besides straight from the honeycomb itself, the next best thing is the pure raw honey available at farmers markets and health stores. So put down that bear, and try the real stuff!
