RP262 The Medicine That Tastes Good

 RP262 The Medicine That Tastes Good

It's sweet, sticky, delicious, and...good for you? That's right! Believe it or not, that simple jar of honey in your kitchen cabinet has many amazing health benefits.

You've probably been advised at some point to drink tea with lemon and honey for a sore throat. This is no old wives' tale. Studies have shown that honey is more effective than cough syrup in fighting children's coughs and improving their sleep. Honey's stickiness eases a sore throat, while its anti-microbial and anti-inflammatory properties may help fight the infection itself.

As the old saying goes, an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. Honey is widely believed to support immunity, thus preventing everything from ulcers to heart disease and even some forms of cancer. An Israeli study found that honey increased people's number of white blood cells, which our bodies use to fight infection. And despite being a sweetener, honey helps regulate blood sugar levels and aids digestion thanks to the helpful bacteria it contains.

Honey also contains phytochemicals, which are chemicals that kill viruses, fungi, and some bacteria. This means honey can prevent infection and scarring from cuts and burns. Natural moisturizing properties make honey a popular ingredient in skin care products.

Not all of the news about honey is good, though. Recent research has concluded that babies under one year of age should not be given honey in any form. In infants' digestive systems, honey can cause botulism, a rare but potentially deadly and/ or paralyzing disease. By the age of one, however, most children's digestive systems are strong enough to kill botulism before it can spread.

Honey has been used as both a medicine and an athletic performance aid for at least 4,000 years. Until recently, however, its numerous benefits have largely been ignored by modern science. We can expect to hear a lot more about them as the medical industry once again catches up with ancient wisdom.