Honey is sweet, however, how does it make you feel when you see the word “sour” next to it? Sourwood honey is the only kind of honey which contains pinocembrin. It is an antioxidant which is similar to those found in dark chocolate and green tea.
However, don’t worry about the name. It does not have anything related to the taste. Sourwood honey is still sweet just like the common honey, but it has a tinge of tartness which gives it a unique taste. The name “sourwood” comes from the taste of the nectar.
If you like honey, then you must be familiar with these health benefits of honey for weight loss. However, honey is not only good for weight loss, it has more health benefits to give you. Let’s check these 7 surprising health benefits of sourwood honey.
- Rich in Anti-fungal Properties
Sourwood honey is rich in anti-fungal properties. Hence, it is helpful to fight against a variety of health conditions, such as athlete’s foot, candida and other skin infections.
- Rich in Amino Acids
Our body needs amino acids so that it can grow and repair the cells. Thankfully, sourwood honey is rich in amino acids. Not only that, amino acids also help lower blood pressure, decrease anxiety and stress and increase serotonin levels.
- Help Manage Diabetes
For diabetic patients, it is very important to maintain the blood sugar level. You may think because honey is sweet then it is not recommended for diabetic patients. You are absolutely wrong. Instead, consuming sourwood honey helps manage diabetes.
There was a study conducted by Jose Otero at Wake Forest University School of Medicine. He found out that honey had a positive effect on blood sugar control in type 2 diabetes.
Diabetes can be cured with many ways. You can try consuming aloe vera and you will health benefits of aloe vera.
- Relieve Cough and Cold Symptoms
As sourwood honey is rich in antioxidants, antibacterial and antimicrobial properties, it then becomes the perfect remedy to fight off cold, cough and other symptoms of flu.
The viscous nature of the honey helps soothe a sore throat in a natural way and its rich nutrient benefits the immune system. As a result, it doesn’t only help you recover faster, but also prevent the chances of getting another flu in the future.
- Boost Energy
Sourwood honey can benefit your energy in an instant way. It is all due to the natural sugars in the honey. It is proven to be a healthy source of calories and energy, especially when your body needs them the most. Not only that, sourwood honey also helps fight fatigue and satisfies your body’s cravings for something sweet.
Why? It is all due to the chemical compound of the honey, which is composed of fructose and glucose sugars. These compounds are easily digested by the body.
- Facilitate Digestion
Sourwood honey contains bee parts and other debris. It may sound unappetizing or unappealing, but it is actually beneficial for your health, especially your digestive system.
The debris is able to stimulate the release of pancreatic enzymes in your gut and acts as a mild laxative. As a result, the digestion of the food and the process of absorbing the nutrients can run well.
Honey can be beneficial for your stomach too. Read more about it in the powerful benefits of manuka honey for stomach.
If you’re looking at some other idea of facilitating your digestion, such as bitter leaf juice. Read the complete health benefits of drinking bitter leaf juice.
- High in Antioxidants
Sourwood honey is rich in antimicrobial, antibacterial and antioxidant properties. No wonder, it is a perfect medicine for fighting coughs, colds, and other symptoms. Its dense nature helps to soothe the sore throat naturally and the high nutrient profile helps boost your immune system.
Sourwood honey contains many helpful and beneficial antioxidants, including flavonoids and organic acids.
Taro root is also rich in antioxidants. You can get the full benefits of taro root for cancer by consuming taro root.
How to Enjoy Sourwood Honey?
There are several ways of enjoying sourwood honey. It can be as simple as adding it to your tea or you can even incorporate it into your cooking. There are some ideas of incorporating sourwood honey into your cooking:
- Honey garlic chicken
- Honey challah
- Honey toasts
- Honey glazed carrots or other vegetables
- Honey tea – you can enjoy these health benefits of ginger tea with honey
In conclusion, sourwood honey is beneficial for our health as it gives us a lot of health benefits. However, consider consuming it in a generate amount. It would be better if you can consult with your doctor to check if you have any allergies to honey or not.