Sweet and natural: 7 Health benefits of raw honey

( Natural News ) Raw honey is a healthier and more natural alternative to regular store-bought honey. Most commercial brands of honey go through extensive processing and pasteurization, which eliminates many of the beneficial nutrients found in raw honey. Processed honey is only a modern invention whereas raw honey has been used in traditional medicine for hundreds of years . Here are seven excellent reasons why you should start using raw honey. Raw honey contains essential nutrients Who knew something so sweet could also be so nutritious? Raw honey naturally contains many beneficial vitamins and minerals , including: Calcium Magnesium Manganese Potassium Phosphorus Copper Zinc Selenium Niacin Riboflavin Folate Betaine Pantothenic acid This impressive nutritional profile makes raw honey a healthier substitute to sugar, artificial sweeteners, or even pasteurized honey. Raw honey is a good source of antioxidants Raw honey is naturally rich in powerful phytonutrients which give honey its antioxidant properties. Other natural antioxidants you can find in raw honey include polyphenols, flavonoids, and ascorbic acid — all of which protect your body against oxidative stress. Oxidative stress is linked to an increased risk of chronic diseases, such as cancer and heart disease. You can reduce your risk of these illnesses and other chronic health conditions by consuming raw honey and other antioxidant-rich foods. Raw honey possesses powerful anti-bacterial and anti-fungal properties As a natural antibacterial and antimicrobial agent, raw honey contains hydrogen peroxide, an antiseptic which can kill unwanted bacteria and fungi. In fact, raw honey is so effective at eliminating bacteria that it can even kill off antibiotic-resistant bacteria. It also has a low pH level that helps inhibit the growth of yeast, bacteria, and fungi. (Related: Honey is medicine: 4 Scientifically proven perks to using Nature’s sweetener .) Discover how to prevent and reverse heart […]

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