9 Health And Beauty Benefits Of Eating Honey

Ⓒ Provided by Fitness Republic

By Cobb Weatherley, Fitness Republic

There’s more to honey than simply sweetening up your favorite pastries and desserts. The golden liquid packs a punch with its set of antibacterial, antiseptic, anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties, working magic on skin, hair and overall health.

For best results, choose raw, organic honey that hasn’t been pasteurized or processed.

Skin

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Clears acne and blemishes

Annoyed with constant breakouts and zits? Make use of honey’s antibacterial powers. Apply a little bit of honey on your pimples and leave it on for 20 minutes, then rinse. Do this daily until the blemishes disappear for good.

Fades dark circles around the eyes

Honey is a natural lightener. It works for dark spots on your face, including the areas around your eyes. Take a tablespoon of honey and mix with one tablespoon almond oil. Dab this mixture around your eyes before going to bed. Rinse in the morning.

Gets rid of wrinkles

Turn back the clock with honey! Its high concentration of polyphenols can help neutralize free radical damage in the body, and in turn, removes signs of skin aging, such as wrinkles. Create an anti-aging facial mask by mixing 1 tablespoon honey and one half cup of mashed avocado. Spread a thin layer on your face and leave on for 20 minutes. Rinse with warm water.

Hair

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Makes hair shinier and softer

Bring the sexy back with a honey hair mask. Honey is great for attracting and locking in moisture in the hair. Combine 1/2 cup honey and 1/4 cup olive oil. Apply mixture onto the hair strands, from the roots all the way to the tips. Let it sit for 20 minutes before washing it off.

Treat scalp itchiness

Honey can help you say goodbye to an itchy scalp, thanks to its potent anti-fungal powers. It also helps clear the chemicals that clog in your hair follicles. Simply mix 1 teaspoon honey and 1 teaspoon water. Massage mixture onto your scalp for three minutes. Let it sit for 2 hours. Rinse with cool water. Do this every day until itchiness disappears.

Health

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Helps with diabetes

Since doctors advise diabetics to stay away from sweet treats, it’s hard to imagine how something as sweet as honey can help in this condition. However, honey is rich in natural sugars as well as essential nutrients that give the body a natural energy boost. It’s a healthier substitute for refined sugar and artificial sweeteners.

Reduces risk of heart disease

According to a study published in the International Journal of Food Sciences and Nutrition, honey reduces risk of cardiovascular disease by lowering LDL (bad cholesterol) and increasing HDL (good cholesterol). It also prevents build-up of plaque in the arteries and blood vessels. To promote heart health, combine 1/3 teaspoon cinnamon and two tablespoons honey, and add to a cup of water. Drink this concoction daily.

Boosts immune resistance

With all the essential nutrients and antioxidants that can be found in honey, it’s no surprise that it can strengthen the body’s defense against harmful invaders. To keep common illnesses at bay, make it a habit to add one to two tablespoons of honey to a cup of warm water and drink it every day on an empty stomach.

Replace your sugars and artificial sweeteners with wholesome honey and you’ll start to notice great improvements in your health.