5 Health Benefits of Raw Honey

If you love honey, it might be time to switch from your regular brand and go raw.  Raw honey isn't heated, strained or filtered, a process used in conventional honey production that destroys the beneficial nutrients, antioxidants and enzymes found in raw honey. 

Here are 5 reasons to go RAW.

1. Boosts Immunity
The phytonutrients in raw honey have antibacterial and antiviral properties that can boost your immune system and fight off bugs. Add some to a hot mug of boiling water, along with a dash of apple cider vinegar first thing in the morning. A study in the Journal of Medicinal Food found in normal and overweight people, raw honey also reduces blood lipids, the inflammatory marker C-reactive protein (CRP) and homocysteine, and in people with Type 2 diabetes honey lowered plasma glucose levels compared with dextrose and sucrose.

2. Naturally Suppresses Coughs
Forget the chemist and open up your pantry instead. Numerous scientific studies have shown that raw honey is often more effective at suppressing a cough and/or sore throat than many of the concoctions you will find at the chemist. Try mixing a teaspoon of raw honey with fresh lemon and hot (freshly boiled) water and sip on it slowly to ease symptoms. Add some freshly grated ginger and/or garlic for and added boost during winter.

3. The Perfect Sweetener
When you do get a sweet craving that won't budge, raw honey is one of the best choices you can make. Full of natural vitamins, minerals, amino acids and antioxidants its the perfect sweetener. Ditch the refined nasty white stuff and grab a jar of raw honey instead. 

4. Healthy Gut
According to Hippocrates, " death sits in the bowel". Much of our immune system is located around the bowel and probiotics are important to help maintain our immunity and prevent colds and infections. It is therefore important that we maintain a healthy level of good bacteria to prevent germs from setting up home there and making us sick. Bowel related conditions like IBS, ulcerative colitis, diarrhoea as well as asthma and eczema respond well to the presence of probiotics. Prebiotics are food for probiotics and raw honey is full of prebiotics. 

5. Sweet Dreams
Raw honey is known for its soothing properties and its ability to provide sleep relief. Honey may help facilitate the action of tryptophan, which helps make people sleepy. Having trouble drifting off? Try one teaspoon of raw honey before bed and see if you notice a difference.