HONEY - PROPERTIES OF HONEY

What is honey?

Honey is an aromatic, viscous, sweet material derived from the nectar of plants, which bees collect and convert for their food into a thicker liquid and finally store in their combs.

Properties of honey:

The consumption of honey is attributed to the longevity of famous beekeepers, ranging between 80 and 90 years. Dark colored honeys have the most tonic properties, such as e.g. pine honey, which is rich in trace minerals.

Honey as human food is one of the most valuable, nutritious and healthiest foods. It gives energy to the muscles, clarity to the mind, disinfects and regulates the digestive system. Its regular use gives vigor to the body and contributes to prolonging life. Hippocrates and all the doctors of antiquity recommended it as a medicine in many cases. And today its therapeutic value is recognized in habitual constipation, in heart diseases, anemia, adenopathy and in cases of collapse and weakness of the body.

This opinion is widespread throughout the world and most importantly it is also documented by scientists. Thus in an attempt to determine the action of honey as food and medicine in various clinical cases Duisberg (1967) distinguished the following cases.

• Honey acts against fatigue and this is achieved by storing the fructose it contains in the liver as glycogen. There it is converted into glucose, thus increasing its content in the blood. Facilitates the assimilation of calcium, activates ossification.

• It cures or relieves internal disorders, stomach ulcers, insomnia, sore throats, some heart diseases and generally has a beneficial effect on the heart as well, increases blood hemoglobins and muscle strength, etc.

• In external use, it treats burns, wounds and nasopharyngeal diseases thanks to inhidin, which gives it bacteriostatic properties. Honey, therefore, is the basic product in beekeeping but also a valuable ally of the human body.

Nutritional value of honey:

• The sugars in honey are simple, they are absorbed immediately, which is why honey is a quick source of energy for the body.

• Its composition consists of a large number of nutrients and is rich in trace elements (calcium, copper, magnesium, zinc, iron), proteins and amino acids.

• The consumption of honey helps to restore health faster in cases of anemia due to the iron it contains. It favors blood circulation, exerts an astringent effect in cases of dysentery and helps with prostate problems.

• It acts against heart disease, fatigue, stomach ailments and helps regulate intestinal function.

• Honey has an antimicrobial effect and prevents the growth of bacteria and other pathogenic organisms. it is useful for healing and cleaning or disinfecting wounds.

Why should you eat Greek honey?

• It is an excellent natural product.

• It tastes better than the imported ones.

• You help the Greek economy and contribute to the preservation and improvement of Greek nature.

• Imported honey is watery with higher percentages of moisture and the risk of it becoming sour is maximized.