Did you know that raw honey and regular honey are different?
Raw honey is honey that is unheated, unpasteurized, and unprocessed, whereas a lot of honey that we find in supermarkets is not raw honey but regular honey, some of which have been pasteurized for easier filtering and packaging. However, pasteurization destroys the delicate aromas, yeast and enzymes which are responsible for activating vitamins and minerals in the body system. …
Raw honey has a high antioxidant level and will usually granulate and crystallize to a thick consistency after a few months.
There is no clear definition of raw honey, it just means not heated past pasteurization. As long as the temperature of the honey does not exceed 95°F/35°C, the honey has not been pasteurized. So even if you buy raw honey, once you heat it up to higher than 95°F/35°C, the enzymes can get destroyed and the nutritional value gets lost.
So what is the heath benefit of raw honey? The main health benefits of raw honey come from the unique blend of vitamins, minerals, enzymes, antioxidants, phytonutrients, and other health components. The two main beneficial components are bee pollen and propolis.
Bee pollen contains vitamins, minerals, carbohydrates, lipids, and protein. It’s often referred to as “nature’s most complete health food.” Bee propolis is a resinous substance bees gather from select trees used to line the hive to keep it healthy. Propolis has proven antibiotic and antiseptic properties and may also have antiviral and anti-inflammatory effects. Some phytonutrients found in propolis have been shown to possess cancer-preventing and anti-tumor properties. Also raw honey can boost immune system, suppress cough, decrease allergy to pollen, and treat various bacterial infections.
However bee pollen is not safe if you have allergies or pregnant, and also a woman who is breastfeeding should avoid it.
I usually put a spoonful of honey into coffee, and I also love to add some honey to plain yogurt. What is your favorite way to eat honey?