Table of contents:
- What is the difference between raw honey and regular honey?
- Benefits of raw honey
- Provide mineral intake
- Heals wounds
- Prevent free radicals
- Control blood pressure and cholesterol
- The dangers of raw honey that may occur
- Botulism (bacterial poisoning)
- Allergy
- Poisoning
Recently, raw honey has become a trend among health lovers and natural ingredients. Raw honey is believed to be healthier and beneficial for the body because it still contains various original substances which are rich in nutrients and do not go through excessive chemical processes. Therefore, many people are now starting to switch to consumption of raw honey. However, before making this decision, it would be nice if you first consider what are the advantages and disadvantages of raw honey. Because even though these products offer a myriad of properties, there are still dangers of raw honey that lurk you and your family. Certain side effects can even be fatal. Check out the information below to find out more.
What is the difference between raw honey and regular honey?
What distinguishes raw honey from regular honey (often referred to as natural honey or processed honey) is the processing process. To extract honey, the beehive which already contains honey will be broken into small pieces. After that the beehive will be squeezed or filtered so that the honey liquid is separated. The honey that is produced is what is known as raw honey or raw honey.
Meanwhile, most honey sold in stores generally has gone through various additional processes such as filtering, pasteurization, or the addition of flavorings such as high fructose corn syrup (HFCS). This process causes the loss of various original nutrients contained in raw honey, such as bee pollen, good bacteria, and various types of phytonutrients. Therefore, the benefits of raw honey are believed to be far more numerous and stronger than ordinary honey.
Benefits of raw honey
Raw honey offers certain properties that you may not get from regular honey consumption. Here are some reasons why you might consider switching to raw honey.
Provide mineral intake
Honey that is not pasteurized in which it is heated to kill various bacteria still contains various types of minerals that the body needs. These minerals include iron, calcium, potassium, and vitamin B complex. With sufficient mineral intake, bone health is maintained and your metabolism will run smoother. In addition, minerals also function to balance electrolyte levels in the body.
Heals wounds
Compared to regular honey, raw honey works better in healing wounds. Its high acidity and antibacterial content called methylglyoxal can increase the pH on the wound surface so that various bacteria will stay away. Raw honey is also more effective than regular honey as an antiseptic to clean wounds and prevent further infection.
Prevent free radicals
Regularly consuming raw honey will trigger the production of natural antioxidants in the body. Antioxidants themselves are responsible for preventing free radicals that come from pollution, sun exposure, and chemicals. Free radicals are dangerous because they can damage and kill cells in the body and cause premature aging.
Control blood pressure and cholesterol
Raw honey can help you control blood pressure and cholesterol levels in the body. Unlike regular honey, raw honey can stimulate the production of good cholesterol (HDL) as well as reduce levels of bad cholesterol (LDL). Blood pressure and cholesterol will be more stable and you will avoid various diseases such as heart attack or stroke.
The dangers of raw honey that may occur
Raw honey does have various properties and efficacious uses for various diseases that you complain of. However, experts reveal that honey that is not properly processed is also a risk to health. Here are the various risks of consuming raw honey that you should be aware of.
Botulism (bacterial poisoning)
Raw honey has the potential to contain botulism spores. These bacteria are at risk of producing toxins in the body, causing botulism. Botulism is characterized by stomach cramps, nausea, diarrhea, fever, vomiting, dry mouth, and muscle weakness. If not handled properly, this disease can cause death. Doctors around the world discourage babies and toddlers from consuming raw honey because the risk of botulism in children is much higher. People with autoimmune diseases, leukemia, AIDS, and those with immune system problems are also discouraged from consuming raw honey.
Allergy
Because raw honey still contains the original pollen, some people who are allergic to pollen may experience certain allergic reactions. Allergic reactions include difficulty breathing, dropping blood pressure, dizziness, fainting, heart failure, and even death. Other reactions reported by people who were less sensitive to the allergen included itching, a rash, and swelling.
Poisoning
The honey produced by bees is greatly influenced by the flowers from which the bees extract nectar. Certain types of flowers in the Rhododendron group have been found to be poisonous to humans. If the bees produce honey from the nectar of these flowers, you are at risk of poisoning with grayanotoxin, a harmful toxic substance from Rhododendron flowers. The poison attacks your nervous system. In some cases, the toxins will damage the nerve cells of the brain, causing a loss of control over the various body functions that are regulated by your brain. Grayanotoxin is supposed to die along with germs and bacteria in the pasteurization process. However, raw honey does not go through this process so the toxins do not die.
