5 benefits of raw honey

9/19/2018

Among other uses, honey is a way to sweeten food that carries more nutritional benefits than plain sugar. That being said, raw honey carries more nutrients than processed honey. The processed varieties of honey are heated to change the color and smoothness to have the classic look you’re used to. Additional processing can include pasteurization and ultra-filtration, which can destroy beneficial things like pollen, enzymes and antioxidants that were in the honey.

Raw honey is as close as you can get to straight out of the beehive and it’s becoming much easier to find on grocery store shelves or, even better, you can reach out to the local apiary in your area to get an even more pure product. Here are 5 benefits that raw honey can provide:

Nutrients - While only trace amounts, raw honey contains around 22 amino acids, 31 different minerals and a wide range of vitamins and enzymes. Amounts are small but it’s better than nothing.
Bee Pollen - Bee pollen contains over 250 different substances, including vitamins, amino acids, essential fatty acids, and micronutrients and only raw honey contains the pollen, as processing typically destroys it. It has been shown to help with liver function and reduce the risk of stroke.
Antioxidants - Raw honey contains nearly 30 types of bioactive plant compounds called polyphenols. These provide antioxidant benefits and can lead to reduced inflammation and a lower risk of heart disease and even certain cancers. Raw honey contains up to 4 times more polyphenols than processed honey.
Sore Throat Relief - A spoonful of honey for a sore throat is an old-world remedy but works because of the ability of honey to provide a protective coating to the throat. Research has also shown that honey is as effective as the ingredient dextromethorphan that’s in most over the counter cough medicines.
Digestive Issues - Just 1 or 2 teaspoons of raw honey on an empty stomach is said to offer pain relief and healing for ulcers that occur in the stomach or digestive system.

SOURCES

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/15481469

https://nutritiondata.self.com/facts/sweets/5568/2

https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/raw-honey-vs-regular

https://www.healthline.com/health/food-nutrition/top-raw-honey-benefits

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Amanda is a mother of three (10, 7, and 5) and has been married for 14 years. My weight loss journey started July 17, 2008, one day after my daughter's first birthday. Tipping the scales at 235 pounds at 5'3, being an over weight, over tired, out of shape role model no longer appealed to me and I knew it was time for a change. Three pregnancies later, I had lost a total of 105 pounds. I had run 2 marathons and dozens of half marathons. Something was missing. I was thin, but I wasn't fit. I wasn't healthy. I could feel it in my insides. I was 136 pounds and a size 8. Something didn't add up. I got my certification in personal training, nutrition, weight management, and dove into supplementation and whole foods. 90 days later, I gained 10 pounds and lost two pants sizes (8 to a 4).

Continuing on this path, all of my clients wanted to know how I was doing it. I always dreamed of creating a business that truly added value to people and improved their health. My husband, Grant, and I decided it was time to take that leap.

December 9, 2016, Simply Prepped Meals was born. Based around the mission of providing whole food based nutrition to people's doorsteps, we set out to create a new idea that fast food didn't have to be expensive or bad for you. Six months later, we built our permanent location in Cynthiana, IN. Then, January 2, 2018, we entered into a partnership with the YMCA of Southern Indiana to continue spreading the word of meal prep and eating with purpose.

Amanda coaches individually as well as continues to drive their business. Any questions about personal coaching can be directed to her at amanda@simplypreppedmeals.com

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