Published by Honeyholics on 27th March 2023
Honey has a long history of use as a therapeutic agent, including as a tonic to promote good
digestive health. It is now scientifically established that raw honey has many therapeutic properties,
including antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, wound healing, and antioxidant activities. Certain kinds of
honey are especially “bioactive,” such as our Ulmo honey, and this has been linked predominantly to
their floral source. Further, there is increasing evidence from studies that certain kinds of honey
have prebiotic activity.
In recent years, raw honey has been shown to be beneficial for gut health in several ways. The gut is
an important part of the body’s immune system, and it is essential for overall health and wellbeing.
The gut is home to billions of beneficial bacteria that help to break down food, absorb nutrients, and
protect against disease. When the gut microbiome is in balance, the body is able to function
optimally. Most importantly, raw honey is a prebiotic, meaning it helps to nourish beneficial gut
bacteria and promote their growth. Prebiotics are important for maintaining a healthy balance of gut
bacteria. Additionally, raw honey contains several antioxidants, antimicrobial and antifungal
properties which help to protect the gut from oxidative damage caused by free radicals and help to
reduce the growth of harmful bacteria in the gut.
Honey is a naturally sweet substance produced by honey bees (Apis mellifera) from the nectar of
flowers or from plant secretions. The composition of honey is complex with over 200 components,
many of which are dependent on the floral source. The nectar collected by bees to make honey
affects the flavour, colour, and medicinal properties of different honeys. It is important to note that
not all honey is created equal. Therefore, it is important to look for raw, bioactive, unprocessed
honey when shopping for the healthiest option. Often, cheap supermarket types of honey are
pasteurised, heat treated, processed and mixed with different types of honey from various
countries. These processed types of honey are not beneficial for gut health and do not possess any
health benefits such as raw, bioactive honey.
In conclusion, raw honey is an excellent source of antioxidants, vitamins, minerals, and enzymes that
can help to promote gut health, aid digestion and possess many other types of great health benefits.
