8 Sweet Facts About Honey You Probably Didn’t Know About

Ever wondered what hidden facts lie behind this sweet, sugary substance called ‘honey’? 

Read below to discover eight interesting attributes linked to this pure golden goodness!

1. Honey never spoils. 

Archaeologists have uncovered pots of honey from ancient Egyptian tombs that are worth a thousand years old–and still perfectly edible. This is because honey contains an enzyme that produces hydrogen peroxide, which acts as a natural preservative. Additionally, due to its natural acidity and low moisture content, honey creates an environment making it unaccommodating to bacteria and microorganisms, allowing for eternal shelf life. 

2. The term “honeymoon” traces back to a surprisingly sweet origin. 

It stemmed from an old practice of giving newlyweds a month's supply of mead (honey wine) in order to promote fertility and symbolize the sweetness of marriage. Drinking the mead was believed to bring a sweet and fertile start to the marriage, with "honey" representing the sweetness of the union and "moon" referring to the one-month duration.

3. Honey can help regulate your blood sugar. 

Despite its sweetness, honey is actually low on the glycemic index, meaning it doesn’t cause a spike in your blood sugar levels. Additionally, digesting honey may help your cells respond better to glucose, which can make it easier for your body to handle blood sugar. This makes honey an excellent substitute for sugar for those aiming to control their blood glucose or cut back on sugar.

4. Honey is more than just its sweetness. 

Beyond its deliciousness, honey boasts a wide range of health benefits. From its antioxidant and antimicrobial properties to its soothing effects on coughs and sore throats, honey has been relied on for centuries as a natural therapeutic agent for various health concerns..

5. Honey wasn’t just being eaten back in the 15th century.

In medieval Europe, honey was used as currency and even considered to be precious. Aside from being a food item, honey was also used in religious practices such as mummification for dead bodies.

6. Honey for hangovers? You’d be surprised.

It may seem unbelievable at first, but a teaspoon of honey can help you recover from a night out. Honey is absorbed slowly in the body, which can help keep your blood sugar stabilized. Moreover, honey helps the body process alcohol more efficiently.  Although it won’t entirely cure you of your hangover, it can help alleviate the severity of your symptoms and speed up recovery.

7. Honey’s great for your skin. 

Honey’s role in skincare addresses a wide range of skin conditions, from dry and sensitive skin to acne.  Honey acts as a humectant, which draws and binds water molecules to itself, helping your skin retain moisture. It’s also non-comedogenic, so you don’t have to worry about it clogging your pores. 

8. Honey has natural healing abilities. 

Thousands of years ago, ancient Egyptians would make use of honey in their wound care. This is due to the fact that honey contains antimicrobial and antibacterial properties, making it an effective way of getting rid of bacteria on the skin. Plus, its thick and sticky consistency acts as a moisture barrier to protect wounds while they heal. Now, modern medicine has been slowly catching up to the undiscovered power of honey, with several companies now incorporating honey in their medical devices such as bandages in order to promote wound healing and help fight off infection. 

Honelle® Wound Gel is a medical-grade bioactive healing salve made from Marajon® honey that serves as an efficient wound dressing, allowing for a moist wound environment which is conducive in speeding up the healing process of deep wounds, from second and third-degree burns to traumatic and surgical wounds. Its all-natural formulation is guaranteed safe and non-toxic, providing a comfortable and soothing experience during the healing process.