Updated April 22, National Honey Board. Honey Floral Source Guide. Abbas, H. Asian Journal of Applied Sciences. United States standards for grades of extracted honey.
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Develop and improve products. List of Partners vendors. The 8 Best Honeys in The most delicious sweeteners nature has to offer. By Lindsay Boyers. Lindsay Boyers. Lindsay Boyers is a freelance commerce writer for The Spruce Eats specializing in food, cooking, and nutrition. Medically reviewed by Sabrina Russo, RD. Sabrina Russo is a registered dietitian with nearly a decade of experience in the field. She spent the last several years working as a renal dietitian at dialysis centers in New York City.
Our Top Picks. Best Overall:. Best Raw:. It's raw and unfiltered, so that it retains all of the pollen and beneficial compounds. Best Manuka:. Best Hot Honey:.
This honey combines sweet and spicy—the best of both worlds. Best Flavored:. Best Creamed:. This earned the spot of best creamed honey for both quality and taste. Best Honey Sticks:. It's easy to open by lightly biting the top and squeezing the honey out as you go.
Best Organic:. In This Article Expand. Our Picks. What to Look For. A review study from reports that bee propolis, found in raw honey, may have:. Bee propolis also contains B vitamins, vitamins C and E, magnesium, potassium , and beneficial enzymes. There are no official studies on how pasteurization changes antioxidant levels in honey, but studies show that heating processes decrease the antioxidant level in other foods.
Raw honey contains flavonoids and phenolic acids that have antioxidant properties. Antioxidants reduce oxidative stress in the body. Research has linked oxidative stress to many chronic health conditions, including cancers. Studies suggest that the antioxidants in honey may have anti-cancer effects against different types of tumors. The types of antioxidants found in raw honey vary depending on the kind of flowers that the bees pollinated. Not all raw honey is organic.
Organic honey may still have undergone processing and pasteurization. It is safe for people to consume both raw and regular honey, though it is a good idea to avoid types of honey that contain added sugars. Both raw and regular honey may contain tiny amounts of a bacteria known as Clostridium botulinum.
This bacteria can cause botulism , which is a rare form of food poisoning. Honey is safe for most people over 12 months of age. However, infants 12 months of age and younger should not eat any honey, including raw and regular honey. In rare cases, people who have a severe pollen allergy may react to raw honey, according to the American College of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology.
People who have severe pollen allergies should speak with a doctor or allergist before eating or using raw honey. The appearance of the honey product can help a person work out whether it is raw. Regular honey looks very clear and smooth, while raw honey tends to have a mixture of colors and a cloudy or creamy appearance. People can also choose between brands of raw honey online. Raw honey may crystallize more quickly than regular honey.
Placing the jar of honey in a pot of hot water will melt the crystals and turn it liquid again. Be careful not to overheat the honey, as this may destroy some of its nutrients.
There are many different types of honey, each with their own characteristics, and some people may find it confusing to work out their differences.
However, experts have found several possible health benefits linked to some of the ingredients in raw honey, including pollen and bee propolis,. Pasteurization may damage or destroy antioxidants and other beneficial elements in honey.
The process of pasteurizing honey can make honey smoother and more aesthetically appealing, but it may also reduce its health benefits. Some commercial honeys are additionally processed by undergoing ultrafiltration. This process further refines it to make it more transparent and smooth, but it can also remove beneficial nutrients like pollen, enzymes and antioxidants 2 , 3 , 4.
Moreover, some manufacturers may add sugar or sweeteners to honey to reduce costs. It has approximately 22 amino acids, 31 different minerals and a wide range of vitamins and enzymes. However, the nutrients are only present in trace amounts 5 , 6 , 7.
These are called polyphenols, and they act as antioxidants 3 , 8 , 9. Many studies have linked these antioxidants with impressive health benefits, including reduced inflammation and a lower risk of heart disease and certain cancers 6 , 10 , For example, one study compared the antioxidants in raw and processed honey from a local market. They found that the raw honey contained up to 4.
Interestingly, one unofficial study by the US-based National Honey Board found that minimally processed honey contains levels of antioxidants and minerals that are similar to those of raw honey. However, there are very few studies comparing the two types. More research in this area can help shed light on the impact of processing on the antioxidants in honey. The nectar and pollen are taken back to the beehive, where they are packed into the honeycomb and eventually become a food source for the bees Bee pollen is surprisingly nutritious and contains over substances, including vitamins, amino acids, essential fatty acids, micronutrients and antioxidants In fact, the German Federal Ministry of Health recognizes bee pollen as a medicine Bee pollen has been linked to many impressive health benefits.
Studies have found that it may help fight inflammation and improve liver function. It also has properties that may help fight against heart disease and stroke Unfortunately, processing methods like heat treatment and ultrafiltration can remove bee pollen 2. Approximately million pounds of honey are consumed in the US each year However, there is serious concern worldwide about regular honey being contaminated with sugar or other sweeteners like high fructose corn syrup 18 , 19 , Honey has been linked to some impressive health benefits.
Studies have found that it may help reduce risk factors for heart disease like blood pressure and cholesterol, improve wound healing and even treat coughs 21 , 22 , One of these components is an enzyme called glucose oxidase. This enzyme helps produce molecules that give honey its antimicrobial and antibacterial properties Unfortunately, this enzyme can be destroyed by processes like heating and filtering 2. For example, an unofficial study found that minimally processed honeys had similar levels of antioxidants to raw honey, but significantly fewer enzymes.
Conversely, organic honey must simply come from a bee farm that meets the organic livestock standards of the United States Department of Agriculture USDA In the US, this means organic honey may also be pasteurized and processed.
This bacteria is especially harmful to babies or children under the age of one. It may cause botulism poisoning, which results in life-threatening paralysis 26 ,
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