Since ancient times, honey was famous for its healing properties, so it was used in traditional medicine to treat many ailments. To understand the benefits of the product, you should familiarize yourself with its composition and nutritional value. It varies depending on the geography of the collection, climatic conditions, season, weather, breed of bees, maturity of the bee product. The nutritional value of honey allows you to determine how much it needs to be consumed.
Water
In the product, water can be in the range of 14-26%. Each country has its own norms. The indicator determines the variety. Previously, according to quality standards, humidity should have been no higher than 21%. Exceptions are cotton varieties whose moisture content is not more than 19%. In Russia, honey should contain no more than 20% moisture.
Carbohydrates
The nutritional value of natural honey consists of carbohydrates. In a product of different varieties, this component can reach up to 86%. More than 40 varieties have been carefully studied. The main ones are fructose and glucose. Maltose and sucrose are also found.
Keep in mind that the composition of nectar is variable. The carbohydrate content can be in different limits. This is due to the fact that honey is a living product. From the time of pumping out of the cells to its use, a lot of time can pass. During storage, carbohydrates are stabilized. A fresh product contains more sucrose than a shrunken one.
It is important for consumers to know the ratio of fructose to other sugars. The larger it is, the longer the sugaring takes place and the more useful the product will be. Fructose is absorbed for a long time, so a person feels full after eating this product for a long period.
Valuable items
The nutritional value of honey consists of minerals. Padova varieties are considered more saturated than flower varieties. The natural product contains about 1% ash. Mineralization depends on this. Ash content is determined by the geography of collection, nectar productivity, climate.
The main substance with a large proportion of ash is potassium. Also in the product there is calcium, chlorine, sulfur, sodium, magnesium. Dark honey is considered to be more saturated in macro- and microelements. This should be considered when using such a product.
Nitrogen components
Contains other components of healthy honey. Composition and nutritional value are enriched with many substances. Bees saturate nectar with nitrogenous components - proteins. In flower species there are about 0.5% of them. Pada varieties contain up to 2% protein.
Enzymes
Studies show that protein compounds have enzymatic activity. Amylase, inulase, lipase and other components are present in honey. Enzymes are needed for processing nectar by bees. They are also used in the ripening of the product. Substances are needed for a qualitative analysis of natural honey.
Amino acids
The nutritional value of honey includes amino acids. In 100 g of the product, up to 98 mg of compounds are present. Among them: lysine, isoleucine, phenylalanine. Due to the content of amino acids, honey acquires a wonderful taste and aroma. A bunch of varieties is created with them.
Alkaloids
The healing properties of this beneficial product are related to alkaloids. In moderate amounts, they have a therapeutic effect, and in large - toxicity. Alkaloids include nicotine, caffeine, quinine. In the product they are in the form of traces, therefore, do not cause negative reactions.
Alkaloids have the following functions:
- Depressing effect on the nervous system.
- The exciting effect.
- Paralytic effects on nerve endings.
- Analgesic effect.
These components, depending on the species, can narrow and dilate blood vessels.
Acids
Acids also contain honey. The chemical composition and nutritional value of this product is rich. Flower varieties have an acid reaction in the range of 3.2-6.5 pH, and mortal - 3.7-5.6.
The product has organic acids, due to the variety of which provides a wonderful taste and shades of aromas. These include milk, apple, flower and many others. They are contained in an amount of not more than 0.3%. Inorganic acids include hydrochloric and phosphoric. Since they are presented in the form of salts, this does not have a huge effect on acidity.
Vitamins
The nutritional value of honey includes vitamins. Their content is heterogeneous. For example, ascorbic acid may be contained in different amounts, depending on the variety:
- Heather honey - 45 mcg in 1 g.
- Buckwheat - up to 120 mcg.
- Mint - 2600 mcg.
In honey, there are vitamins B1, E, PP, A, N. The specific gravity of vitamins is determined by the number of pollen grains. Their content is destroyed due to the acidic environment.
The nutritional value
Here is a useful composition has honey. Nutritional value per 100 g consists in the content of:
- Protein - 0.8 g.
- Carbohydrates - 80.3 g.
Calorie content of the product is 328 kcal. But at the same time it is very useful. Honey contains many vitamins and minerals. It contains rare but necessary substances for humans. The nutritional value of honey in a teaspoon is 32 kcal, since it contains 10 g of product.
Benefit
The beneficial properties of honey were known in antiquity. It was used not only as an excellent food product, but also as a remedy for the treatment of many ailments. Honey is famous for the following beneficial properties:
- Restores strength, strengthens the immune system after illness.
- It has a bactericidal effect, therefore it is used for wound healing.
- Normalizes the digestive system.
- Stimulates the activity of internal organs.
- Eliminates stagnation of bile.
- It treats cataracts.
- Restores physical strength.
- Normalizes metabolism.
Honey is needed to improve the respiratory system. It is used in the treatment of colds. With it, the pores on the skin are cleansed. The product is used in the bath and for performing cosmetic procedures.
Harm and contraindications
There are recommendations of experts on how not to make a harmful product out of honey. For example, with heating, its structure changes, and the properties become different. Therefore, it is forbidden to drink honey with a hot drink. Tea or milk should be warm.
No need to consume large quantities of honey. Excessiveness can cause diabetes. The product causes tooth decay, moreover, compared with sugar and sweets. Doctors advise rinsing your mouth or brushing your teeth after each use, which will be even more effective.
Do not eat honey on an empty stomach. This is due to the fact that honey stimulates the launch of the digestive system. If regular food is not received within 30 minutes, this leads to the production of insulin, which is why there is a deterioration in health.
Some people are allergic to honey. Urticaria is usually observed, but there may be anaphylactic shock. The product should not be given to children under 3 years of age. Honey is considered unique, as it has many beneficial properties for the body. It is only necessary to take into account restrictions and contraindications, but it should not be excluded from food.