Today’s article is taken primarily from Dr. Mercola’s research and writings.
It’s readily available—at any farmer’s market and health food stores: Raw Honey contains natural antioxidants, enzymes, amino acids, vitamins, and minerals. This most perfect golden pleasure also contains calcium, iron, zinc, potassium, phosphorous, magnesium, copper, chromium, manganese, and selenium.
Nutraceuticals are also found in honey. These important nutrients provide health benefits beyond those involved in normal metabolic activity to assist in neutralizing the free radical activity in your body. Free Radicals cause cell damage, leading to aging and illness.
Among the many key nutrients found in Raw Honey, let’s not forget the minerals. Minerals are critical for so many biological processes within your body to maintain overall health and wellbeing. The vitamins present in honey are B6, thiamin, niacin, riboflavin, pantothenic acid and certain amino acids. The minerals found in honey include calcium, copper, iron, magnesium, manganese, phosphorus, potassium, sodium and zinc. “Conductivity” is an indirect way of measuring the mineral content of a honey. Manuka honey has a higher than normal conductivity — about 4 times that of normal flower honeys. The higher the conductivity, the better the value of the honey.
While on the subject of minerals, Dr. Mercola has also written about the importance of the trace mineral selenium, which is necessary for the proper support of immune system health. It is a vital mineral antioxidant found in the tissues of your body and assists in supporting an optimal balance of cardio-protective benefits as well, and is also found in raw, dark chocolate. Notice the theme here…we’re talking RAW for all the health benefits.
With the smart choice of raw honey as an alternative to processed and artificial sugars, you don’t have to sacrifice a rich, satisfying taste. Raw Honey supports good health — and tastes wonderful too.
Healthful Honey Comes Straight From the Hive
Many people think that just because honey is “natural,” any kind of honey is healthful and fine to use.
This is simply not true.
Unfortunately, most of the honey eaten today has been heavily processed. Like most foods that have been chemically refined, many of the healthful benefits have been reduced or eliminated. Commercial honey is often treated with an excessive heating process that can destroy some of the critical natural enzymes, vitamins, and minerals. There have also been some strong rumors that some honey on grocery store shelves may not really be honey at all!
Processing of honey also filters out many vital phytonutrients found in raw honey, products that exist in nature in the hive. These products of the hive (which are not found in refined or processed honey) include health-promoting factors like:
- Protein- and enzyme-rich pollen, collected by bees in tiny carrying baskets on their back legs as they buzz from plant to plant.
- Propolis or “bee glue,” a sticky substance full of enzymes, formed when bees combine their own proteins with plant resins. (Bees use propolis to fix cracks in the hive.)
How can you tell if honey has been heated?
It’s simple…
While some people prefer their honey sparkling and clear, the only way to achieve this is to heat the honey by processing. Pure Gold Raw Honey is the brand that Dr. Mercola recommends and sells. It is produced from fine Michigan beehives — kept in fields free from pesticides and herbicides. Honeybees are free to collect nectar from wild flowers. The honey is then bottled and packaged, without being heated, immediately after extraction, to give you the finest quality, and to seal in the sweetest flavor. There are also local sources here in the Ft. Myers area that provide wonderful, raw honey as well. One source we trust is Pine Island Botanicals. Just look for “The Sprout Queen” sign at local farmer’s markets here. And, there are others. Just do a little homework. Ask some questions. LOOK at the honey before you buy it.
The unique qualities of nature’s perfect ingredient found in Raw Honey will add texture, flavor, and an enjoyable taste to your food while supporting your health in “sweet” ways!
To Your Health,
Deb & David Martin
Lotus Blossom Clinic
David is a Doctor of Oriental Medicine
Visit our Acupuncture clinic in Fort Myers, Florida
(239) 277-1399