The Healing Powers of Honey by Cal Orey Read Free Book Online Page B

blizzards to windstorms), and man-made challenges.
    Soda and BIT-O-HONEY bars were often the staples of my diet, which lacked nutrition. “California Butterfly”—an insect like the honey bee that also seeks sweet nectar—was the moniker I embraced. During my road adventure, little did I know that honey—not white sugar, which I was eating—was getting kudos from progressive medical experts and health nuts. Some nutritionists and doctors played down the good-for-you nutrients in this liquid gold “cure-all.” But there are folks around the world who did and still do believe honey is as good as gold.
    These days, in the 21st century, humans are reaping the nutritional rewards of honey, but that doesn’t mean the golden liquid is full of nutrients in small amounts. Here’s what I found out:
    Nutrition Facts:
Serving Size: 1 Tablespoon (21 g)
Servings Per Container: 22
Amount per Serving:
Calories: 64
Total Fat: 0 g
Sodium: 0 g
Total Carbohydrate: 17 g
Sugars: 16 g
Protein: 0 g
    ( Source: National Honey Board.)
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    When you look at a honey’s product label, it appears to be a health nut’s dream come true: The food contains no fat, no cholesterol, and no sodium. But the fact remains, all is not perfect, according to nutritionists, who are quick to point out a large portion of the calories in this superfood comes from sugars—culprits that may lead to heart disease and obesity.
    One dietitian told me point-blank that she had no positive words to say about honey. But I argued, “There are tons of anecdotal evidence, studies from countries abroad, and medical experts who do tout the golden liquid.” She stuck to her words: “It’s sugar, no better, no worse, than other added sugars.” Dazed and confused, I went straight to the honey-savvy nutritional gurus who are aware of the sweet stuff in the ancient liquid gold. Studying the nutrition facts for honey is similar to analyzing vinegars—they differ from source to source and company to company, and the bigger the measurements, the more nutrients you’ll find.

    More Honey, Please

    339 grams (one cup) contain:
14 milligrams sodium
279.34 grams carbohydrate
0.7 gram dietary fiber
278.39 grams sugars
1.02 grams protein
1.7 milligrams vitamin C
20 milligrams calcium
1.42 milligrams iron
7 milligrams magnesium
14 milligrams phosphorus
176 milligrams potassium
0.75 milligrams zinc
23.7 milligrams fluoride
2.7 milligrams selenium

    Other nutrients: riboflavin, niacin, pantothenic acid, vitamin B 6 , folate, choline, betaine, amino acids.
    Apparently, more honey equals more nutrients. One cup contains more than 1,031 calories, but zero saturated fat, trans fat, or cholesterol.
    ( Source: USDA National Nutrient Database for Standard Reference, 2009.)

    IT’S THE ANTIOXIDANT POWER
    Honey wizards such as SuperFoods HealthStyle co-author Steven G. Pratt, M.D., note that honey contains at least 181 known substances, nutrients, such as amino acids, carbohydrates (natural sugars), as well as trace enzymes, minerals (including calcium, fluoride, iron, magnesium, phosphorus, and selenium), vitamins (including vitamin C, folate, and choline), and water. But the vitamins and minerals aren’t the highlight of honey’s healing powers. 2
    As I noted in chapter 1: “ The Power of Honey,” honey is antioxidant rich and that’s where the real power lies, no ifs, ands, or buts about it. We’re talking mighty bioflavonoids, flavonoids, and phenolic acids, which act as disease-fighting antioxidants—the good guys that help to keep your body healthy and stall Father Time. It is the darker honeys, like quality dark chocolate, that contain more antioxidants—and that’s what really accounts for honey’s healing powers. But that’s not all....
    Here’s proof: It’s been proven in past studies—more than one—by scientists that for people, not rats, eating honey raises