Honey - The Original Energy Booster

Honey - The Original Energy Booster

For A Quick Energy Boost, Pass the Honey

A natural sweetener and food, the medicinal uses of honey were first mentioned in Sumerian clay tablets dating to 2000 BC. Research shows that honey can reduce oxidative stress, and has antimicrobial, antibacterial, antiviral, anti inflammatory, anti hypertensive, antimutagenic and antitumor effects.¹ Research shows that honey's health promoting properties can be realized at daily doses of 50 to 80 g or 5-8 teaspoons.² 

An easily digested carbohydrate composed of fructose and glucose sugars, the body can easily convert pure honey into energy: a dose of 20 g of honey providing 3% of daily energy requirements.²  Unlike table sugar or corn syrup, pure honey contains varying amounts of pollen, oligosaccharides, proteins, enzymes, essential and non-essential amino acids, minerals, trace elements, vitamins and antioxidant polyphenols.   However, not all "honey" products have nutritional value. Heat-treated honey destroys enzymes, ultra-filtrated honey candy lacks pollen and honey-flavoured corn syrups are more akin to table sugar.

Honey also has a low glycemic load (GL), averaging round 9 points per tablespoon, which varies according to botanical source with fructose-rich honey having lower values. Calculated as grams of carbohydrate per serving multiplied by the glycemic index (GI) divided by 100, a GL value of 1 raises blood sugar by 1g of glucose.² The lower the GL, the better for those who  are insulin-resistant or diabetic, which makes 100% pure honey, a natural energy drink for the holiday season: caffeine-free, easily digested, great-tasting and healthy!

Bee Active™ Formulated for Energy - For low energy, gastrointestinal problems and mental fatigue, pure honey enhanced by the herbs found in the Bee Active formula can energize both bodies and brains, as the double-blind studies on ginger and sage listed below suggest.

Honey & Sage - Improve Memory & Mood

Antioxidant herbs like sage and ginger can enhance honey's antioxidant capabilities. Research shows that the terpenoids in sage (Salvia lavandulaefolia) improves cognitive function and mood.a 2010 double-blind, placebo-controlled study of 36 healthy adults, those taking 50 µL capsules of sage showed improved memory and attention, reduced mental fatigue and increased alertness.  Adding sage to honey can help clear the mental muddle.

Honey & Ginger - Reduce Inflammation &  Gastrointestinal Upsets 

Adding ginger (Zingiber officinale) enhances honey's anti inflammatory and gastro protective effects. A 2011 review indicated that the gingerols in ginger are effective for nausea and gastrointestinal problems, reduces cholesterol and improves lipid metabolism which helps decrease the risk of cardiovascular disease and diabetes.4 A randomized placebo controlled study on 43 osteroarthritis (OA) patients showed that ginger was effective in controlling OA pain without the gastrointestinal distress posed by non-steroid anti inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs).5 Adding ginger to honey can help calm the stomach and improve mobility.

The Honey Diet for Losing Weight 

While adding ginger and sage to 100% pure honey can boost energy for those last minute shopping excursions, office parties and family events, there are 10 other herbs in the Bee Active formula. Look for next month's Staying Healthy With Honey newsletter for herbs that help shed extra pounds and feel energized!

Erejuwa OOet al. Honey: a novel antioxidant. Molecules. 2012 Apr 12;17(4):4400-23, www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22499188.

Bogdanov Set. al. Honey for nutrition and health: a review. J Am Coll Nutr. 2008 Dec;27(6):677-89, www.jacn.org/content/27/6/677.long.

3. Kennedy DOet. al. Monoterpenoid extract of sage with cholinesterase inhibiting properties improves cognitive performance and mood in healthy adults. J Psychopharmacol.2011 Aug;25(8):1088-100, www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20937617.

4. Bode AMDong Z. The Amazing and Mighty Ginger. Chapter 7,Herbal Medicine: Biomolecular and Clinical Aspects. 2nd edition. Edited by IFF Benzie & S. Wachtel-Galor, Boca Raton (FL): CRC Press; 2011. PMID:2259394.

5. Drozdov, VN, et. al. Influence of a specific ginger combination on gastropathy conditions in patients with osteoarthritis of the knee or hip.J Altern Complement Med.2012 Jun;18(6):583-8,www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22784345.6. Alshaer, H., Scientific

6. Evidence Showing Stimulation of Human Performance by Ingredients Present in Bee Active Honey & Herbal Mixture. Unpublished Technical Report, 2010.

Caution: The products listed should not be considered substitutes for professional medical care and are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any specific disease. Bee products may cause allergic reactions in some individuals, consult your health care practitioner for guidance.

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