Honey Water Has Many Benefits, But XNUMX Types of People Should Avoid Drinking It
Honey has been a precious food ingredient with both edible and medicinal value since ancient times, earning it the reputation of "liquid gold." But do you know how much effort it takes bees to produce 1 kilogram of honey? A single bee can only carry back 20 mg of nectar at a time. To collect enough nectar to make 1 kilogram, worker bees must make 5 to 6 round trips. The collected nectar then undergoes enzyme transformation and maturation in the bees' bodies before it becomes the honey we see. Even more astonishing, just 1 gram of honey requires worker bees to collect nectar from approximately 1500 to 1600 flowers. This demonstrates how hard it is to come by pure honey on the market. Consumers must carefully identify and avoid adulterated products.
Honey has many health benefits, from relieving digestive discomfort toEnhance physical fitnessAll are involved. First, it can improve the discomfort of gastroesophageal reflux - because the human body temperature is close to that of the honeycomb, honey can maintain a high viscosity after entering the human body. Studies have confirmed that this property helps reduce gastric acid reflux and relieve discomfort such as chest burning. Secondly, honey can also play a role in the face of allergic reactions: bees collect nectar from local seasonal flowers, and when the human body consumes it, it is equivalent to repeated contact with pollen in the area, which can gradually reduce allergic reactions. Other studies have pointed out that for children's nighttime coughs and sleep difficulties caused by upper respiratory tract infections, taking honey is significantly better than placebo in relieving sleep difficulties, and is even not inferior to some cough medicines. Therefore, the World Health Organization (WHO) and the American Academy of Pediatrics both recommend that honey can be used as an auxiliary measure to combat children's coughs.
In antioxidant andimprove the immune systemIn this regard, honey also performs well. The oligosaccharides it contains can promote the growth of beneficial bacteria in the intestines, which not only helpsRegulate gastrointestinal functionHoney not only boosts immunity but also indirectly enhances immunity. Furthermore, the nutrients in honey, such as flavonoids, flavonols, and flavanols, are powerful antioxidants that help scavenge free radicals in the body and slow cell aging. Honey also possesses antibacterial properties: the defensin-1 protein it contains, combined with its slightly acidic pH of 3.2 to 4.5, effectively inhibits bacterial growth and even reduces bacterial resistance to antibiotics. Clinical studies have also shown that applying honey directly to skin wounds can accelerate wound healing and reduce the risk of infection.
Honey can also help alleviate gastroenteritis in young children. Gastroenteritis in young children is often accompanied by diarrhea and dehydration. Clinical data show that appropriate honey supplementation can shorten the course of bacterial diarrhea. This is because honey is rich in simple sugars such as glucose and fructose. Its simple molecular structure is easily absorbed by the body, making it a good substitute for the glucose component in commercially available oral electrolyte rehydration solutions, helping young children replenish energy and water, and alleviating dehydration.
Despite its numerous benefits, honey isn't suitable for everyone. The following four groups should strictly refrain from consuming it: immunocompromised individuals, patients undergoing chemotherapy, infants under one year old, and individuals with diabetes, hyperlipidemia, and obesity. This is because honey, with a water content of less than 20%, can be stored for long periods of time if sealed, but it can also be contaminated with botulinum spores. The first three groups, due to their weakened immune systems or underdeveloped intestinal function, may develop botulism poisoning after consumption. While rare, poisoning can be fatal, so consumption is strictly prohibited. The simple sugars in honey are easily absorbed by the body, which can cause blood sugar fluctuations in diabetics. Those with hyperlipidemia and obesity, who need to control their calorie intake, are also advised not to consume it.
It's worth noting that many people enjoy making homemade iced honey lemon juice in the summer, believing it's thirst-quenching and healthier than commercially available shakes. However, honey's natural benefits shouldn't be used as a substitute for daily drinking water. If honey lemon juice is used as a daily fluid source for 1500 to 2000 ml, this translates to approximately 150 to 200 grams of honey per day, which translates to a high calorie intake of 462 to 630 calories, equivalent to consuming 1.7 to 2.4 extra bowls of rice. This long-term consumption can lead to weight gain.
It's important to understand that honey is still a sugar, and its consumption should adhere to the World Health Organization (WHO) recommendation: daily refined sugar intake should be less than 5% of total calories. For example, for a woman consuming 1500 calories per day, refined sugar intake should not exceed 75 calories, corresponding to about 1 tablespoon of honey. For a man consuming 2000 calories per day, refined sugar intake should be capped at 100 calories, and 1 to 1.5 tablespoons of honey is recommended.
