Can Honey Be a Healthier Alternative to Sugar?
Despite our health’s love/hate relationship with sugar, some of us still can’t live through the day without having our sweet cravings fulfilled: it’s easy to understand why, as sugar is one of the primary forms of carbohydrates. When this biomolecule is digested completely, it breaks down into glucose. Once transported into the bloodstream, the insulin converts these simple sugars into energy.
Although this “sweet carbohydrate” is always present in sugar canes, sugar beets and other food plants, it can still be detrimental to our body—especially when used as a food additive.
It’s not easy to spot sugars on food labels, as they are known as 56 different names, such as brown sugar and corn syrup. They are present in the fruit juices that claim to be healthy for you, and in comfort foods such as doughnuts and pizzas. Even though we need sugar to function daily (24 grams for women and 36 grams for men), we have to be mindful, as too much food consumption with processed sugars can increase our risk of developing diabetes or heart disease.
So, what now? Do we solely rely on fruits and vegetables for sugar? Surprisingly, the answer is no. If you still want to indulge in pastries, a healthier substitute for sugar is honey. It’s a natural sweetener that has been a mainstay in the culinary world due to its nutritional benefits.
What are the Nutritional Benefits of Honey?
Most people shy away from using honey because of the myths attached to it. Since honey is sweeter than table sugar, we immediately assume that it’s going to do more harm than good. Little do we know that honey is oozing with enzymes and other nutrients that can aid health issues.
The good thing is you can maximize most of its benefits if you go for products such as Bee+ and Beeotic that are both natural and high quality. If you need more convincing, below are just some of honey’s benefits and how these products can contribute to a healthy lifestyle change.
Lower Glycaemic Index Than Sugar
The glycaemic index (GI) is a measurement numbered from 0-100 that determines how much a particular food can affect your blood sugar. Although honey is sweeter than table sugar, it has a lower GI that doesn’t contribute to your blood sugar level. The natural sweetener has a GI value of 58, while sugar has 60.
If you plan to make that switch, consider adding Beeotic Honey and Bee+ UMF Manuka Honey to your shopping list.
Packed With Healthy Compounds Suitable for Your Diet
Aside from B vitamins, honey also contains amino acids, antibiotic-rich inhibin, and other antibacterial and antioxidant qualities. Bee+, in particular, is known for producing quality Manuka honey that is rich in organic elements and free of pollutants like pesticides.
For maximum benefits, you can choose your Bee+ products based on their level of potency that ranges from UMF 5 to 25. Owned by the UMF Honey Association, Unique Manuka Factor, or UMF, is a grading system that determines the level of methylglyoxal (MGO) in the honey, an active ingredient that has antibacterial or antioxidant properties.
Can Fight Off Infections and Improve Digestive Issues
Oligosaccharides are another chain of carbohydrates present in natural honey. These compounds contain specific enzymes that help in food digestion and gut health. If you want to make the most of these incredible benefits, you can add a teaspoon of Beeotic to your green tea or smoothies!
Can Help Improve Oral Health
Another aspect that makes honey a good substitute for refined sugar is that it can be used to address your dental problems. Research shows that honey that has non-peroxide antibacterial activity can help prevent plaque build-up, tooth decay and even gum diseases like gingivitis. For a product that is rich in antibacterial properties, Bee+’s Manuka Honey will not disappoint. From collecting and testing to storing, this brand follows New Zealand’s best practices so you can bee sure of the best quality Manuka honey.
Can Reduce Levels of Bad Cholesterol
Honey is not just your typical sweetener—as a matter of fact, it can also be used to lower your total cholesterol. If you have high levels of LDL (low-density lipoprotein) or ‘bad’ cholesterol, then you are susceptible to getting heart-related illnesses. With Manuka honey, you don’t need to ditch your favourite drinks. This natural sweetener is filled with antioxidants that help to lower triglycerides (a type of fat present in the blood) while at the same time, stimulate good cholesterols.
Everything Should Be in Moderation
Even though honey is considered healthy, we must learn how to keep moderation in mind. With its GI score of 58, it is advisable to consume no more than 50ml, or 2 teaspoons, if you don’t want to undermine its amazing benefits. You can add it to your tea in the morning to aid digestion or mix it with your all-time favourite yogurt and fruit for a hearty breakfast.
If you want to learn more about these products and the methods used to preserve their quality and nutrients, you can check out VTN, ACG’s online marketplace. So, make the switch to a healthy lifestyle, and experience the endless benefits of natural honey offered by Bee+ and Beeotic.
Committed to becoming one of the top brand management companies, Access has been helping brands build solid connections to their customers for four years now. Through our innovative business ecosystem, we can help businesses make their brands available and known to consumers who are passionate about wellness, beauty and lifestyle products.
