Honey is a syrupy liquid that honeybees make from plant nectar. Loved worldwide for its sweetness and depth of flavor, it’s used in many foods and recipes.

The smell, color, and taste of honey vary based on the type of flowers it’s made from, so there are countless varieties available.

Honey has a number of potential health benefits and plays a role in many home remedies and alternative medicine treatments.

Here are 5 unique health benefits of honey.

 1. Contains a variety of nutrients

One tablespoon (20 grams) of honey contains (1Trusted Source):

Calories: 61
Fat: 0 grams
Protein: 0 grams
Carbs: 17 grams
Fiber: 0 grams
Riboflavin: 1% of the Daily Value (DV)
Copper: 1% of the DV
Honey is essentially pure sugar, with no fat and only trace amounts of protein and fiber. It contains small amounts of some nutrients, but most people typically don’t consume enough honey for it to be a significant dietary source of vitamins and minerals.

Still, it’s worth noting that honey is rich in health-promoting plant compounds known as polyphenols.

2. Rich in antioxidants

High quality honey — which is minimally processed, unheated, and fresh — contains many important bioactive plant compounds and antioxidants, such as flavonoids and phenolic acids. Darker varieties tend to offer more antioxidants than lighter varieties.

Antioxidants help neutralize reactive oxygen species (ROS) in your body, which can build up in cells and cause damage. This damage can contribute to conditions like premature aging, type 2 diabetes, and heart disease.

3. Better for blood sugar levels than regular sugar

When it comes to blood sugar management, honey may offer some slight benefits over regular sugar.

Although honey raises your blood sugar level just like other types of sugar do, the antioxidants it contains may help protect against metabolic syndrome and type 2 diabetes.

Researchers have found that honey may increase levels of adiponectin, a hormone that reduces inflammation and improves blood sugar regulation.

There’s also some evidence that daily honey intake may improve fasting blood sugar levels in people with type 2 diabetes.

However, while honey may be slightly better than refined sugar for people with diabetes, it should still be consumed in moderation.

It’s also important to know that certain types of honey could be diluted with plain syrup. Although honey adulteration is illegal in most countries, it remains a widespread problem.

4. May improve heart health

Honey may also help prevent heart disease.

According to one review, honey may help lower blood pressure, improve blood fat levels, regulate your heartbeat, and prevent the death of healthy cells — all factors that can improve your heart function and health.

One observational study including over 4,500 people over age 40 associated a moderate honey intake with a lower risk of high blood pressure among women.

Plus, a study in rats promisingly showed that honey helped protect the heart from oxidative stress.

Additionally, raw honey typically contains propolis, a type of resin that bees produce from sap-producing trees and similar plants. Propolis may improve cholesterol and triglyceride levels.

All told, there’s no long-term human study available on honey and heart health. More research is needed to better understand honey’s effects on heart health.

5. Easy to add to your diet

Honey is easy to add to your diet.
To get a small boost of antioxidants from honey, you can use it any way that you’d typically use sugar. It’s excellent for sweetening plain yogurt, coffee, or tea. You can also use it in cooking and baking.

As a home remedy, it can be applied directly to minor burns or wounds or given orally for coughs.

Remember that you shouldn’t give honey to infants under 1 year of age due to the risk of botulism.

Also, keep in mind that honey is a type of sugar, so consuming it will cause your blood sugar levels to rise.

Plus, eating large quantities of honey, especially consistently over a long period, can contribute to weight gain and increase your risk of diseases like type 2 diabetes or heart disease. Therefore, stick to a low-to-moderate intake.