This natural product produced by bees has many nutritional properties
Honey is a productmade by bees , so it is considered a 100% healthy and natural product. However, this is not entirely correct, as we can currently find many honeys processed or treated in such a way that their nutrients are lost, such as the natural antioxidants it contains or its benign bacteria.
If we really want to benefit from these nutrients , we have to look for what is known as raw honey , or the closest thing to what we get from the hives. This is honey that has not undergone any transformation process since it is collected until it is packaged for consumption.
Raw honey is made by extracting it from the hive's combs and pouring it onto a mesh or nylon cloth to separate the honey from impurities such as beeswax and dead bees. Once strained , the raw honey is bottled and ready to consume.
pasteurized and filtered honey
Raw honey also describes all kinds of bee honey that has not been pasteurized or filtered.
Pasteurization is the industrial process to which processed honey is subjected to preserve it better. To do this, they are heated to a high temperature and quickly cooled. Thus, it is a more durable product, but it loses properties, in addition to its aromas.
Filtration further removes impurities like debris and air bubbles so the honey stays a clear liquid for longer. This makes honey aesthetically more attractive to many consumers.
Some commercial honeys are processed using ultrafiltration . This process further refines it to make it more transparent and smooth, but also removes more beneficial nutrients like pollen, enzymes, and antioxidants.
benefits of raw honey
Raw honey is more nutritious and healthy as it contains a wide variety of nutrients. Specifically, it contains approximately 22 amino acids, 31 different minerals and a wide range of vitamins and enzymes. It also contains nearly 30 types of bio active plant compounds, or polyphenols, that act as antioxidants.
Polyphenols help reduce inflammation and prevent the risk of heart disease and certain cancers
Also, raw honey contains pollen , which is highly nutritious. According to a Healthline article, pollen contains more than 250 substances, including vitamins, amino acids, essential fatty acids, micronutrients, and antioxidants. Its properties serve to help fight inflammation, improve liver function, fight heart disease and stroke.
risks
On the other hand, it is believed that consuming raw honey can cause botulism in babies, since it contains spores of the Clostridium botulinum bacteria. However, botulism is very rare among healthy adults and older children.