5 Reasons Why Raw Honey is the Healthiest Honey
Honey is the thick, sweet, gooey treat people have enjoyed for generations. More than just a sweet treat, honey contains antibacterial properties and beneficial enzymes to solve a wide range of health ailments while having anti-inflammatory effects on the body.
However, there is a catch. To experience all the health benefits of honey, it must be raw and unpasteurised, as close to its natural form as possible.
This is where raw organic honey and regular honey found in the store are very different.
The difference between raw honey and ‘regular’ honey
When it comes to honey, there are two main types: raw honey and processed honey.
- Raw honey is unheated and unpasteurised, meaning the enzymes and other nutrients are still active.
- Processed honey has been heated and pasteurised, which kills the enzymes and reduces the nutritional value.
Most honey that you would find in a typical grocery store is pasteurised, meaning that it has little benefits further than being a yummy treat. You can spot pasteurised honey by its transparency, even if it is slightly cloudy. Darker, translucent honey may look closer to a raw product; however, it is just pasteurised honey with a stronger flavour.
Traditionally, pasteurisation is used to extend shelf life and kill pathogens, and it is achieved through applying high heat. Unpasteurised honey is very lightly heated to keep as much of the goodness and nutrients as possible. It's harder to find in grocery stores but can be bought from real honey suppliers and specialty food shops.
Many assume that unpasteurised honey is the same as raw honey; however, raw honey is the result of cold processing with no heat or filtering applied at all, keeping it as natural as can be straight from the source. This produces a superfood that is thick and creamy in texture, opaque in colour and packed with health benefits.
Read on to discover why raw honey is the healthiest honey.
Why Raw Honey is the Healthiest Honey
It's pure and unprocessed
The heat applied during the pasteurisation process of regular honey can be over 70 degrees Celsius, killing many antioxidants, vitamins, minerals, amino acids, and enzymes.
Pasteurisation is used to make the honey more 'squeezable' and to give it longer shelf life, but by using the proper storage techniques, your raw honey can last even longer. The lack of processing when harvesting raw honey allows it to retain all its natural enzymes and nutrients.
It's a rich source of antioxidants
According to the African Journal of Biotechnology, raw honey can be just as effective as antibiotics in killing bacteria, thanks to its potent antimicrobial properties.
Raw honey contains flavonoids and phenolic compounds that can protect your body from free radicals. These free radicals can cause premature aging and a host of illnesses, including cardiovascular and inflammatory disease, cancer, and cataracts.
Adding the antioxidants from raw honey to your diet can destroy free radicals and give your long-term health a positive boost.
Raw honey contains beneficial bacteria that support gut health
A healthy gut contains healthy bacteria which can grow immune cells and ward off infections from bacteria, fungi, and viruses. More so, the gut's health can improve well-being through communication with the brain through the nerves.
The natural bacteria in raw honey can aid gut health because it is prebiotic, nourishing good bacteria in the intestines and encouraging healthy digestion.
Raw honey has anti-inflammatory properties for wound care
Used for over 8000 years for its natural healing properties, raw honey can heal more than just the inner body.
According to the Journal of Euro-Mediterranean Council for Burns and Fire Disasters, honey has been rediscovered as a topical agent for treating burns and wounds after serving a crucial medical role for ancient civilisations.
In fact, honey has been proven to have effective broad-spectrum anti-infection properties for at least 80 species of microorganisms.
Honey has a lower glycaemic index than sugar
Sugar is a part of modern life. It is unavoidable and hides in more foods than many people realise. Reducing the amount of processed sugar in your diet can aid in weight loss, improve dental health, prevent some chronic conditions, decrease inflammation, improve your focus, and even boost your energy levels.
Foods containing natural sugar provide nutrients that keep the body healthy and the energy levels and metabolism stable.
Raw honey is a great source of natural sugar. Use it to sweeten sauces, baked goods, smoothies, and shakes. This helps to lower your sugar consumption while keeping your sweet tooth satisfied.
Experience the Raw Honey Difference
Honey is at its best, most pure, and raw form when it is unprocessed and cold filtered. This ensures all of the nutrients, enzymes and antioxidants are kept in place.
Raw honey is one of the most stable and long-lasting natural foods in the world, with many ancient populations relying on their honey harvest for many, many years.
Raw honey has a pH of between 3.26 and 4.48, to stave off bacteria and support long-term storage. While raw honey may be prone to crystallisation, this is simply proof of its organic nature and can be remedied with a light sun bath or a dunk in some warm water.
When it comes to raw honey, the health benefits are seemingly endless. In making the switch to raw honey, what was once just a nice spread on your crumpets, suddenly becomes an important part of your self-care regime.
We hold bees in high regard, along with the work they do, and we believe that every drop of honey is like liquid gold. With careful, intentional harvesting and strategic storage processes, you can rest assured that the raw honey from Australian Bee Products is as pure as it gets.
Our process allows us to offer you honey that is straight from the source, made by the bees to be collected by us and consumed by you.
Click here to shop our range of raw honey and experience the raw difference for yourself. Or, read more about the hidden health benefits of raw honey.