BENEFITS OF RAW HONEY

Studies show that raw honey contains a variety of beneficial ingredients.

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Raw honey contains specific components that can offer health benefits. Pasteurization and other processes may remove or reduce some of these elements, which include:

• bee pollen, which has antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties

• bee propolis, a glue-like substance that helps keep the hive together

• certain vitamins and minerals

• enzymes

• amino acids

• antioxidants

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Unfortunately there are not many controlled studies comparing pasteurized and raw honey. However, some sources report that pasteurized honey contains few — if any — of the health benefits of raw honey. Because pasteurization exposes the honey to high temperatures, it may destroy or remove honey’s natural properties.

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This means that raw honey may offer more powerful health benefits, in terms of healing wounds and fighting infections, than regular honey.

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Many studies have found that raw honey has health benefits. Usually, these benefits come from natural ingredients that regular honey may not contain.

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Raw honey contains bee pollen

Pasteurization of honey removes bee pollen.

A 2015 Review Study about the benefits of bee pollen reports that it has:

• antioxidant properties

• anti-inflammatory effects

• antibacterial and antifungal action

• pain-relieving properties

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These properties make bee pollen a useful addition to honey and can contribute to honey’s natural ability to heal wounds and kill bacteria.

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Bee pollen also contains amino acids, vitamins A and C, and small amounts of nutrients including calcium, magnesium, and sodium.

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Raw honey contains bee propolis

Bee propolis is the sticky substance that bees use to build their hives and hold the structures together. This glue-like substance not only helps the bees, but some scientists believe that it is healthful for humans as well.

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A Review Study from 2017 reports that bee propolis, found in raw honey, may have:

• anti-inflammatory effects

• anti-cancer and antiulcer action

• antifungal effects

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Bee propolis also contains B vitamins, vitamins C and E, magnesium, potassium, and beneficial enzymes.