Bees aren’t just vital for a healthy planet – the honey they make is marvelous for our own health. But all honey doesn’t come equal – raw honey is a whole lot better for you than regular off-the-shelf honey.
Why’s that? Well, raw honey is straight from the beehives. It’s strained to separate impurities like dead bees and wax, and then bottled as is. Whereas regular honey is pasteurized before bottling, which destroys lots of the lovely health benefits. Some producers add sugar or sweetener too. So if you want all of honey’s fabulous benefits, look for a bottle that’s labelled ‘raw’ – not just natural, organic or pure.
Packed with bioactive plant compounds called polyphenols, which act as antioxidants, honey has been used for its healing properties for much of human history. Regularly consuming raw honey can lead to all types of health benefits, like less inflammation and a lower risk of heart disease and certain cancers. It can even be used to clean wounds and help with healing when applied directly to minor scrapes.
Bee raw
There are loads of ways to add honey to your diet. Try drizzling it onto yogurt and chopped fruit for breakfast or dessert, using it in a salad dressing, or in this crunchy baked honey garlic tofu.
Hot lemon and honey is wonderfully comforting and soothing, particularly if you have a sore throat or are feeling a bit under the weather. Adding fresh ginger, turmeric and black pepper can give it an extra nutritious kick – like in this honey bomb recipe.