Not all sugars are unhealthy and some of them can actually bring health benefits if consumed in moderation. Honey has been used as a natural sweetener as well as for medicinal use since time immemorial. In Ayurveda, honey is called as Madhu and is both used for internal and external applications. Apart from fructose and glucose, honey also contains antioxidants, enzymes, vitamins, and minerals like magnesium and potassium. It also is lower on glycaemic index (GI) than sugar which means it raises your blood sugar levels slowly as compared to refined sugar. (Also read: Can you consume honey? Nutritionist speaks of benefits and adverse effects)
Honey has a variety of benefits for everyone. It is good for heart health, skin issues, helps in detoxification, helps with kapha and also aids in healing of injury. Ayurveda however cautions against heating honey as it destroys enzymes and produces ama (acid) and disrupts digestive process. If you are used to having honey water in the morning, but make sure to keep the water lukewarm.
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Ayurveda expert Dr Dixa Bhavsar in her recent Instagram post talked about the benefits of honey, the best ways to consume it and precautions.
- It initiates growth of healthy granulation tissue.
QUALITIES OF HONEY AS PER AYURVEDA
Dr Bhavsar says honey which is newly collected from bee hive increases body weight and is a mild laxative while honey which is stored and is old helps in the metabolism of fat and scrapes Kapha.
Honey is a popular choice for medicinal formulations as it helps in enhacing qualities of these medicines. Here's how.
"Ayurveda explains another special quality of honey. Honey is called as "Yogavahi". The substance which has a quality of penetrating the deepest tissue is called as Yogavahi. When honey is used with other herbal preparations it enhances the medicinal qualities of those preparations and also helps them to reach the deeper tissues," says Dr Bhavsar.
DOs AND DON'Ts OF CONSUMING HONEY
The Ayurvedic sage Charaka wrote over 500 years ago that “nothing is so troublesome as ama caused by the improper intake of honey.” In Ayurvedic medicine, ama, or undigested matter in the body, is considered to be the root cause of almost all diseases. Heating honey destroys the enzymes that support the digestive process, hence produces ama (toxins) in the body when consumed, says Dr Bhavsar.
Here are the precautions one must consider when using honey:
- Honey should not be mixed with hot foods or water.
- Honey should not be consumed when you are working in a hot environment.
- Honey should never be combined with ghee or mixed with hot, spicy foods; fermented beverages (e.g., whiskey, rum, brandy); or mustard.
BEST WAYS OF CONSUMING HONEY
- 1 tsp with a glass of room temperature water (for obesity).
- 1 tsp honey with a tsp of turmeric and 1 black pepper (for cough, cold, sinusitis, immunity).
Consumption of raw, unprocessed honey is promoted in the morning and with an empty stomach. Avoid heating honey, but it can be taken with warm water, not boiled water, as heating leads to the formation of toxic substances in the body.
In Ayurveda, it is called as “Perfection of Sweet”. Honey is one of the best known home remedies for dry and wet cough. It can be taken along with some ginger juice and black pepper to help relieve cough and throat irritation. Having Honey in lukewarm water every morning improves digestion and helps manage weight.
- Honey should not be mixed with hot foods or water. - Honey should not be consumed when you are working in a hot environment. - Honey should never be combined with ghee or mixed with hot, spicy foods; fermented beverages (e.g., whiskey, rum, brandy); or mustard.
It should come as no surprise that honey is advised to be eaten before going to sleep by health experts. Consuming honey with a glass of warm milk ensures a good night's sleep. Your body absorbs all the goodness from this superfood at night to keep you healthy.
Drinking 1 teaspoon of honey before going to bed can add antioxidant compounds to help reduce blood pressure, prevent high blood pressure to limit cardiovascular risk. A glass of warm water mixed with honey before bed is enough to provide a preventive effect for this cardiovascular complication.
Extremely hot water can destroy some of the beneficial enzymes and nutrients in honey. Aim for water that is around 37-43°C. If possible, choose raw honey. Raw honey is less processed and retains more of its natural nutrients and enzymes.
Health benefits of eating a spoonful of honey everyday include diabetes management, cancer management, better heart health, and other benefits. Honey is a brown, sticky, sugar-saturated solution made by bees. Honey bees or forage bees collect nectar from flowers and add some enzymes to the nectar.
In addition, it influences serotonin, a hormone that helps regulate mood, pain and sleep. In this way, drinking honey at night will help us get a restful sleep and our body has a better rest and mood. Eating honey at night lowers blood pressure, therefore the body will be more relaxed and controlled.
Eating the right food at the right time is crucial for your body to function properly and to stay healthy and fit. There are certain foods that are better to be avoided at night. For example, Ayurveda doesn't recommend eating curd, rice and non-vegetarian food during dinner time.
Offer thanks or sit in silence a minute before you begin eating.Do not gulp down your food; savour each mouthful and chew well before you swallow. A few sips of warm water during the meal will help digestion, but do not drink too much of any beverage. At any meal, do not eat until you are very full.
Since honey naturally contains about 17 percent water, it dissolves easily. Just add some honey to water for a budget-friendly sports drink. Mix a nut butter and honey, or honey and light cream cheese, as a dip for fresh fruits or vegetables for a wholesome energy snack.
According to Ayurveda, honey is one of the most powerful medicines. However, honey lovers should beware: it can become a harmful toxin if heated. Heating or cooking with honey is a major source of ama: indigestible substance. Ama is linked to the cause of most health issues.
Honey boosts your metabolism, which is essential for weight loss. Honey is an excellent antioxidant, which means its regular consumption will cleanse your body of various toxins. In addition, its antibacterial properties will considerably improve the condition of your skin. Honey has no cholesterol at all.
Hence, if a person requires 2,000 calories a day, no more than 120 calories should come from sugar, honey, and other added or natural sugars combined. This is roughly two tablespoons (about 40 grams) of honey. Honey in any form must, however, not be given to children younger than a year old.
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