Sweet, tasty, natural and versatile, honey is rich in nutrients and famous for being very good for your health.

However, like all foods, excessive consumption of honey generates a rebound effect in the body.

Want to know more about the benefits and precautions when including honey in your daily life? In this article we will show you all this and much more, come with us!

What is honey?

Honey is a food produced from flower nectar and processed by bees' digestive enzymes. Its first mention was illustrated in a cave painting in the Araña caves, in Valencia, Spain, 8,000 years ago.

It is known for its sweet taste and also for its medicinal properties that have been used for millennia in human history.

Thus, there are several (and good) effects of honey that have been used for generations in homemade recipes.

Because it is rich in sugars (glucose and fructose) and carbohydrates, it becomes a good source of energy. However, it is still a very high-calorie food.

What are the types of honey?

Did you know that the flavor, aroma and color vary according to the type of honey? This happens because each flower from which the bee sucks nectar is different. Check out the most consumed types of honey in Brazil:

Wild honey: it is extracted from a huge variety of flowers and is more easily found. It can be consumed in recipes and with fruits, for example.

Orange blossom honey: as the name suggests, this honey is extracted from orange blossoms and has a light color, a more citrus flavor and is very sweet.

Eucalyptus flower honey: extracted from eucalyptus flowers, this type of honey has a dark color and refreshing flavor, and is widely used in the treatment of respiratory diseases.

Assa-peixe honey: contrary to what you may think, assa-peixe is not related to the animal, but rather to a plant of the same name. This type of honey has anti-inflammatory and expectorant properties, as well as a strong flavor.

Discover the 6 main health benefits of honey

Now that you know a little more about honey, we’ll tell you about its benefits for your health.

Contains antioxidants

Antioxidants help protect the body from cellular damage caused by free radicals (which contribute to the aging process) and chronic diseases such as cancer.

Honey is full of antioxidants, such as flavonoids. However, it is necessary to maintain a balanced lifestyle to prevent diseases, after all, honey is not a miracle food.

Good for the skin

Have you ever imagined having baby skin thanks to bee saliva? Honey contains proline, a salivary secretion from bees that helps form collagen, a compound that is crucial for firming the skin.

Therefore, the product is easily found in the cosmetics industry, in soaps and creams, for example.

Furthermore, its calcium and iron levels ensure bone health and prevent anemia.

Relieves cold symptoms

Your grandmother was right: honey has antimicrobial properties, capable of destroying microorganisms or preventing their growth. That's why it became famous for relieving cold symptoms, such as sore throats.

The characteristics that provide this result are its low pH, low amount of water and gluconic acid (which contributes to becoming a powerful antibacterial).

Improves gastrointestinal health

If you are looking for an ally when it comes to maintaining healthy intestinal flora, honey is a great option.

By maintaining the intestinal microbiota, it helps prevent diarrhea and constipation. With a healthy microbiota, harmful microorganisms in the intestine do not invade the bloodstream or spread throughout the body.

These benefits occur because honey uses non-digestible carbohydrates and oligosaccharides that are prebiotics. Cool, right?

Helps improve the immune system

Due to its antimicrobial capacity, it can be used during the period of respiratory infection to aid in immune defenses.

This improvement occurs because honey contains flavonoids, phenolic acid and gluconic acid, chemical compounds responsible for fighting respiratory infections, such as Haemophilus Influenzae.

However, it is important to emphasize that no food replaces medical treatment.

Reduces the risk of urinary tract infections

Some studies indicate that bacteria that cause certain diseases are sensitive to the antibacterial action of honey. Among them is streptococcus faecalis, which can cause urinary tract infections.

Care when consuming honey

It's not all sunshine and roses. Despite its many benefits and nutrients, honey also contains a lot of carbohydrates, so you need to adjust the amount of the product to your calorie needs.

Furthermore, honey is a source of sugar, and even though it is natural, it can have negative effects when consumed in large quantities - increasing triglyceride levels, for example.

How much honey can I consume daily?

To avoid overdoing the dose, the daily recommendation is one tablespoon, equivalent to 25 grams.

According to the National Institute of Excellence in Health, honey can be consumed within two to three weeks from the onset of symptoms of respiratory diseases.

Who cannot consume honey?

Honey should not be used by children under 1 year of age, as it contains Clostridium botulinum, which causes botulism.

Additionally, people with diabetes need to avoid honey, as it contains simple sugar and raises blood sugar levels quickly.

People with allergies and intolerance to fructose should also reduce their consumption.

Recipes with honey

We now know that honey is delicious and has many benefits. To make it even better, it can only be found in the BOLD Pão de Mel protein bar version: ideal for everyday use or for upgrading your kitchen preparations.

Oh! Speaking of which, we have the perfect recipe for you honey lovers. The Gingerbread Blondie with the new BOLD bar promises to win you over.

Check out our recipe section for inspiration. After all, you deserve the best in flavor and health!