Medics told about the health benefits of honey.

Honey and sugar are the two most commonly used sweeteners.

Honey is considered a more healthy option, but is it so.

The Chronicle writes about this. info with a link to healthystyle. info.

If sugar is used to give a product or a dish of sweetness, then honey is considered an excellent nutritious and therapeutic self-serving dish. Consider the advantages and disadvantages of honey and sugar for human health.

Honey against sugar: similarities and differences Both honey and sugar are carbohydrates, consisting of two types of sugar: glucose and fructose.

Refined fructose, which is found in sweeteners, is metabolized by the liver and is associated with:.

Obesity.

Fat hepatosis.

Diabetes Both fructose and glucose are rapidly destroyed by the body and can cause splashes of blood sugar.

The proportions of glucose and fructose in honey and sugar are different:.

Sugar consists of 50% fructose and 50% glucose.

Honey contains 40% fructose and 30% glucose The remainder of honey consists of:.

Water.

Pollen.

Minerals, including magnesium and potassium Glycemic index (GI) of sugar is higher than honey, which means that it quickly increases blood sugar levels. This is due to a higher content of fructose and the lack of trace elements.

However, honey is a more high-calorie product. Although it is sweeter than sugar, so it may take less. Both sweeteners with excessive intake can lead to weight gain.

Useful properties of honey Since ancient times, honey is used not only as a sweetener, but also for medical purposes.

It is a viscous liquid produced by bees and colored in color from straw-yellow to dark-brown. Honey in honeycombs keeps its freshness.

The advantages of honey include:.

More nutrients and less processing Honey contains:.

Amino acids.

Antioxidants.

Enzymes.

Minerals.

Vitamins Some studies show that dark honey has more antioxidants than light. In addition, honey is less processed, because for the readiness it needs to pass only pasteurization. Raw honey is also edible and contains more antioxidants and enzymes than pasteurized varieties.

A cough medicine Some studies show that honey is a natural method of relieving cough in children.

A study in 2007 showed that children with bronchitis who consumed dark honey felt better than those who took a placebo. However, the difference was small.

Allergy In one study published in 2011, it was found that people with birch pollen allergies who took honey from birch pollen experienced:.

A 60 percent reduction in symptoms.

70 percent fewer days with severe symptoms.

Twice as many days without symptoms They also managed to reduce consumption of antihistamine by 50 percent compared to the control group. The cause of these improvements may be the antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties of honey.

Honey is quite effective in topical application, since it has antimicrobial properties:.

Treatment of wounds. Studies show that honey can be used as a natural and safe method of healing chronic wounds, ulcers and burns.

Seborrheic dermatitis. It was found that raw honey helps to eliminate seborrheic dermatitis, which manifests as itching and scaling of the scalp. Weekly application of honey also reduces hair loss associated with this disease, and prevents relapses.

It is easier to digest For the digestive system, honey is a more useful product. Enzymes, added by bees, partially destroy sugars, which facilitates digestion.

Herringbone honey High-calorie One tablespoon of honey contains 64 calories, while in a tablespoon of sugar, only 49 calories.

Risk of child botulism Give honey to children under 12 months of age - unsafe. Bacterial spores of honey can cause children's botulism, a rare but potentially life-threatening disease.

Disputes that cause botulism in infants are harmless for older children and adults. Symptoms of pediatric botulism include:.

Constipation.

Common weakness.

Frequent crying Influence on blood sugar and the risk of diseases Honey affects blood sugar in much the same way as sugar. This is especially problematic for people with diabetes and insulin resistance.

Excessive consumption of honey can lead to problems with blood sugar in healthy people, increasing the risk:.

Weight gain.

Type 2 diabetes.

Diseases of the heart Benefits of sugar Sugar is extracted from sugar cane or sugar beet. Despite the fact that it is obtained from natural substances, before it becomes a finished product, it is processed.

There are several different types of sugar:.

Brown.

Muscovado.

Powdery.

Raw, raw.

Turbinado.

White Sugar does not contain added nutrients. However, brown sugar, which is a mixture of white sugar and a by-product of a product known as molasses, may have some trace elements.

The advantages of sugar include:.

Less Calories Sugar contains 49 calories per tablespoon, and honey - 64. However honey is sweeter than sugar, so to achieve the same sweetness it may take less.

Long shelf life and low production costs Sugar is a cheap and easily available product with a long shelf life.

Disadvantages of sugar High GI Sugar increases blood glucose faster than honey. This leads to a burst of energy, accompanied by a sharp decrease, which is characterized by fatigue, headaches and a problem with concentration.

Increased risk of heart disease and type 2 diabetes Excessive consumption of sugar leads to weight gain and obesity, which in turn increases the risk of other diseases.

Problems with the liver Since the liver is responsible for the metabolism of refined fructose, excessive consumption of sugar can make it difficult to function. This can cause:.

Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease.

Elevated cholesterol.

Obesity Caries Caries and other dental problems develop faster with a high intake of sugar.

Changes in the intestine A diet high in sugar reduces the number of beneficial bacteria in the intestines, which can increase the risk of developing chronic diseases.

It is more difficult to digest. As already mentioned, sugar does not contain enzymes that are in honey, so it is more difficult to digest.

Honey against sugar: which is better?.

Excess consumption of sugar and honey is equally harmful to the body. Therefore, both products should be used in moderation or not at all. At the same time, honey has some health benefits, for example, in the treatment of cough or allergy, or as topical application, which does not affect blood sugar level.

If you prefer honey, choose dark varieties that contain more nutrients, enzymes and antioxidants.

The American Heart Association (AHA) suggests that women should consume not more than 100 calories per day (about 6 teaspoons) of sugar, and men not more than 150 calories per day (9 teaspoons).

It is important to note that these quantities take into account the sugars already added to processed and pre-packaged foods, as well as such types of sugars as honey and syrups.

Tips for reducing sugar and honey consumption. Divide a serving into two. Use half a spoonful of honey or sugar instead of a full.

Cut sugar in baking by one third. This will reduce consumption without exerting much influence on the taste or texture.

Use extracts or sweet spices. Extracts, such as almonds or vanilla, can give a sweet flavor to cocktails or baked goods without increasing sugar intake.

Ginger, cinnamon and nutmeg are excellent examples of sweet spices that can add sweetness without calories.

Replace sugar with unsweetened apple sauce or banana puree. These natural fruit purees can replace sugar in equal quantities when preparing dishes.

Want sweet - eat fruit. Fresh berries, bananas, mangoes and other fruits can satisfy the need for sweet. Fruit, preserved in water, is also a good option.

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