It wouldn't be incorrect to say that most health food buffs universally love honey. It comes in handy when trying to cut out sugar from your diet and kick in some great habits of eating mindfully. But simply switching to honey does not get you its immense benefits. Why? Because not all honey was created equally. And just like there is one queen bee, there is only one kind of premium honey, Manuka Honey. We tell you why you should be opting for this honey. Read on to know some of its lesser-known benefits that are bound to leave you impressed
What is Manuka Honey?
This honey comes from bees that collect their nectar from the Manuka bush, also known as Leptospermum Scoparium. Manuka honey comes from New Zealand and Australia. The premium quality and its distinct flavour are attributed to the manuka bush. The additional health benefits attached to this honey are worth finding out, and we promise will tempt you to make it a part of your daily routine. So, let's get started.
1) Excellent Anti-ageing properties
Manuka honey is packed with antibacterial and antioxidant properties, and that's why it's one of the most sought-after products for both fitness lovers and the cosmetic industry alike. Research suggests that methylglyoxal or MGO found in manuka honey is laden with anti-ageing properties that help fight the free radicals that are a leading cause of wrinkles and fine lines. But that's not all. It can also suppress enzymes responsible for destroying collagen, leading to skin sagging. Suppose you are constantly looking for ways to tackle dry skin problems. In that case, this should be your go-to honey because of its additional humectant properties - meaning its ability to hang on to moisture, resulting in increased skin elasticity, making the skin look plump and dewy. All you acne-sufferers, you too can put your woes aside as manuka honey's anti-inflammatory characteristics make it ideal for this kind of skin. The fact that manuka is also an emollient, you can bid goodbye to your worries of cracked, chapped and dry skin. No wonder manuka is a current favourite of the dermatological industry.
2) Supports Wound-healing
There's a reason why manuka honey is considered premium. Along with an impressive list of great health benefits, it also has wound-healing properties. You can apply it directly to the wound as studies show it can hasten the healing process, including pain reduction. And this is mainly since manuka honey is antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory, supporting tissue regeneration.
3) Soothes a Sore Throat
According to studies, Manuka honey gives much faster relief as a cough suppressant than over-the-counter cough syrups. No wonder medicated lozenges also use honey in them. Manuka honey may reduce Streptococcus mutants, also referred to as harmful bacteria that cause throat infections, and that's why this honey is also known for its throat soothing properties.
Conclusion
The benefits attached with manuka honey run well over the current list. There are innovative ways of using this honey in your daily diet and beauty regimen. So, whether you choose to drizzle it over your morning bowl of oats or pancakes or whip it with yogurt and apply it as a hair mask, or mix with some sugar and use it as a luxurious body scrub, you are bound to experience its goodness. Our only piece of advice when going for your next jar of manuka honey is to be sure of getting it from a reputable health food store. It can guarantee much-needed peace of mind regarding the quality of the honey you are about to consume.
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