The Incredible Health Benefits of Raw Honeycomb
Once you've tasted raw honey, nobody could blame you for searching for other ways to enjoy the sticky sweet, rich, and nourishing treat. If you love all things honey, it's time you explored the many benefits of eating raw honeycomb.
But what is raw honeycomb? How are its health benefits different to the benefits of eating raw honey? Is it the stuff found in the middle of violet crumble? (Trust us, the raw product is on a whole different level!)
We've answered all your questions and more down below.
What is raw honeycomb?
Honey bees store their raw honey in honeycombs during their collection process. Made up of repeating hexagonal wax cells, honeycombs allow bees to stockpile as much fresh honey as possible.
Raw honeycomb is not exposed to any chemicals or artificial processing techniques and is entirely edible. Although it may seem strange to see someone eating this natural sweetener directly from a beehive, this is an everyday indulgence among beekeepers.
In fact, some people use the honeycomb as a healthy chewing gum alternative, and others include it in their skincare routine for its anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial properties.
However you plan to enjoy your honeycomb, purchasing it in its raw form ensures you'll get the best that organic honey has to offer.
10 Health benefits of raw honeycomb
1. Essential vitamins and minerals for your body
Honeycomb has all the benefits of healthy raw honey and is packed full of nutrition.
Raw honeycomb also includes the following minerals and vitamins:
- Calcium
- Zinc
- Magnesium
- Vitamin A
- Vitamin B6
- Vitamin B12
- Vitamin C
- Vitamin D
- Vitamin E
2. High nutritional value
The nutrients of the honeycomb are sealed in each cell with a layer of beeswax. This layer is removed during extraction to allow access to the precious drops of honey stored inside.
When whole honeycomb is extracted, these morsels of goodness, including pollen, propolis and royal jelly, remain intact. Beneficial raw honey and bee products contained within raw honeycomb are packed with unspoiled nutritional benefits.
3. Supports heart health
Raw honey is a rich source of phenols and antioxidant compounds. The valuable nutrients it provides promote circulation and help to strengthen your body's immune cells.
The raw honey found in honeycomb can lower bad cholesterol levels and increase good cholesterol, all while reducing long-chain fatty acids.
According to the National Library of Medicine, the antioxidants in natural honey, such as Vitamin C, flavonoids and polyphenolics, are associated with a reduced risk of cardiovascular disease. The compounds in honey also have a promising effect in treating cardiovascular disease. All while tasting great!
4. Sweetens food without the blood sugar spike
White sugar, corn syrup and other sweeteners commonly used in baking and cooking can have a glycaemic index of up to 110. The higher the GI rating, the more your blood sugar levels will be increased with consumption.
Honeycomb is a low GI food, with a level beginning as low as 33. This makes honeycomb a safe sweet snack for those concerned with lowering their blood sugar levels, such as those with diabetes, according to Healthline.
5. Boosts your immune system
Antibacterial properties, antioxidants and antifungals combine in the honeycomb to support your immune health.
These healthy immune-boosting properties reduce inflammation, prevent infection, and fend off disease-causing bacteria.
Additionally chewing honeycomb helps clear your airway and is a much healthier cough drop or chewing gum alternative.
6. Protects your liver function
Fatty liver disease affects around one in every ten people. However, you can improve your odds by enjoying raw honeycomb!
Raw honey helps to protect the liver from damage caused by toxins and bile obstruction, giving you improved liver function overall.
7. Fights off colds during flu season
For those with seasonal allergies, raw honey can feel like a godsend. The anti-inflammatory properties of raw honey and honeycomb can soothe the throat, lungs and respiratory tract, suppressing coughs and providing comfort.
Additionally, the humectant properties of honey can retain moisture and coat your throat, preventing dry out and discomfort.
8. Improves gut health
It is no secret that good gut health is a precursor to overall health, and this begins with prebiotics.
Raw honeycomb acts as a prebiotic, and it has vitamins A and B present, plus traces of fibre, which are all good friends of the gut. Prebiotics can feed your gut microbiome, aiding in digestion and nutrient retention.
9. Promotes healthy sleep cycles
Finally, an excellent excuse to have dessert!
Raw honeycomb doesn't have the glycaemic index to keep you awake, and on the contrary, the chemical reaction to the sugar in raw honey has been indicated to promote a spike of melatonin.
Suck on some honeycomb to curb sugar cravings or melt some in your tea for the perfect night-time routine.
10. Unprocessed nutrients for a healthy diet
We extract raw honey in its natural state without any added heat, yet nothing beats eating it directly from the hive.
Eating raw honeycomb, cut straight from the hive, is the best way to ensure you get every ounce of goodness that honey provides as a completely unprocessed alternative to a sweet treat.
How to eat raw honeycomb
Raw honeycomb promotes great health and is an effective and delicious alternative to sugary desserts.
Eating honeycomb from the hive is one of our favourite ways to enjoy it; however, there are some alternative ways to eat honeycomb that will be both extremely nutritious and delicious.
Ways to eat raw honeycomb
- Melted onto warm bread or pancakes (swoon!)
- Added to a cheese board along with hard salty cheeses, fruits, nuts and bread
- Melted to be used as a cough syrup or to sucked on to soothe a sore throat
- Dipped into a cup of hot cocoa
- A sweetener on your morning yoghurt or oatmeal
- On its own as a sticky, gooey treat!
The flavour of raw honeycomb is much sweeter and richer than artificial honeycomb (that you'd find in a violet crumble or crunchie bars). The darker the honey, the more potent it will be in both health benefits and flavour.
Explore our range of raw honeycomb products today to experience the difference for yourself.
With a cold harvesting process from hives in some of the most honey-rich parts of the country, you can rest assured that your honeycomb remains in its most pure form with Australian Bee Products.