You might have come across honey in your life, but did you know that it is not “just” honey? There are many types of honey in the market. Each has a distinct purpose and concentration of sugars in water. One of those types is the raw, unfiltered honey.
This honey is in its original form and is not processed and contains all the richness of honey. This is the best form of honey available and today, we will talk about this type of honey, all its benefits, and potential health risks.
What are the health benefits of Raw, Unfiltered honey?
We all know that honey is used as a natural sweetener in every meal for health enthusiasts and diabetics. We are also aware of the magical properties of honey in itself. It is packed with nutrients, enzymes, anti-bacterial and anti-inflammatory properties.
It also has some types where the Glycemic Index is in the low category. However, we get processed honey in the superstores. These processed jars are drained of these nutrients and beneficial particles. Raw Unfiltered honey, on the other hand, is packed with all these things.
You can get all the benefits as they are in one spoonful. So, I hope you know now which one you want to buy next time you go grocery shopping.
What Raw Unfiltered Honey is and how do we get it?
Let me get this straight: there is a big difference between processed honey and raw honey. One is artificially made in factories and storehouses and the other is made naturally in a longer time but definitely organic. This type of honey is made by bees in their natural way as we all know, bees collect nectar from flowers that bloom and then store it in their hives.
Raw honey has been scientifically proven to have higher amounts of antioxidants which protect us against many diseases. A study published in the Journal of Food Chemistry found that “Raw Millefiori honey is rich in both amount and variety of antioxidant substances”
It is this honey that we remove wax from and then consume. This type of honey is nutritious and jam-packed with all the benefits they claim honey has. This type of honey is not sent to factories to pass through fancy machines and filters. It just comes to your homes as it is. Yes, it might have some particles of the honeycomb and maybe a honeybee or two but worry not. You can scoop it out and enjoy this delicious and healthy honey.
How to choose the best raw unfiltered honey?
In a world full of fraudulent and fake things, it is difficult to find natural, organic ones. Finding raw unfiltered honey is no less daunting to find. But, I got your back like I always do! All you have to do is read my blog to the end and viola! First and foremost, find a brand of honey that claims to sell raw unfiltered honey. However, that is not it.
The next thing you should do is to look at the consistency of honey and its color. Although it can be between a milky white to a dark brown color. Mostly, the type of honey that gives a creamy color is often considered raw. Another sign is that it may not be in a single color, it may have various shades of brown and cream.
Is Raw Unfiltered Honey found in many types?
Besides many others, six different types of raw honey are famous all across the globe. These include Beekeepers’ Cut Autumn Blossom Honey, Tupelo Honey, Florida Orange Blossom Honey, Knotweed Honey, Basswood Blossom Honey, and High Plains Blossom Honey. All of these are known for their own unique qualities that make them distinct from all other types of raw and unfiltered honey types.
Can Raw Unfiltered honey be used in cooking?
To be general, yes, you can use raw unfiltered honey in cooking and baking, but at the cost of what? Although honey has been used in cooking and salad dressing, even in teas, it is advised that raw unfiltered honey should not be overheated. According to a report by the National Centre for Biotechnology, heating honey, raw unfiltered, or cooked, leads to honey losing its potential benefits.
The enzymes and vitamins, along with nutrients are burnt if honey is cooked over 40 degrees or 104F. Time also plays a very vital role in this and as per some food scientists, if you cook any honey for more than 2 hours, it might adversely affect your health instead of helping your body grow. However, this must be kept in mind that the internal structuring of honey may change and may not benefit you, but it is not that it will turn into poison. It does not bring any serious health conditions with itself.
What happens if you consume too much Raw Unfiltered Honey?
Needless to say, too much of anything is bad. We also know by now that honey is a perfect substitute for table sugar and is sweet in nature. Consuming too much raw unfiltered honey leads to higher blood sugar levels, which of course, are not good for health.
Furthermore, it can lead to obesity as consuming too much glucose and fructose leads to weight gain in some bodies. In addition to this, raw unfiltered honey is known to have a bacteria called Clostridium botulinum. This bacteria is believed to cause minor food poisoning. Consuming too much raw honey can cause food poisoning as well.
If too much raw unfiltered honey is consumed, it can lower the blood pressure and this may lead to heart problems in the long run. And let us not touch the dental side effects. We all know that consuming too much sugar can cause dental problems and it is quite evident that you will not only have to make a visit to the dentist but also to the hospital for a full body checkup. The list goes on and on, but let us put a full stop to this for now. So it is safe to say that sometimes little is more!
I hope you find this article informative. Stay tuned for more amazing content, and you can reach out to me in the comments section below.
