Consuming Honey before Bedtime Benefits Sleep, Weight Management, & More

honey before bed
iStock: invizbk

Honey, or the gooey golden liquid, is known for its long list of benefits to mankind. From the ancient Egyptians to the Romans and even the Babylonians, honey was used widely among many civilizations, and especially for its laxative and antibacterial properties. Due to honey’s exceptional nutritional value, it was an ingredient recommended for numerous ailments. Not only has it been shown to help fight against obesity, but honey before bed is also said to calm a person down, thereby inducing sleep as well. Let’s learn more about the myriad benefits of consuming honey just before bedtime.

Health Benefits of Consuming Honey before Bed

The golden elixir surely has many benefits, but have you heard of honey as a sleep remedy? Yes, it is used as a natural food relaxant, as it soothes the mind and also has wonderful anti-inflammatory properties. Honey is also a popular treatment for insomnia.

If you do not know how to take honey before sleep, all you need to do is to heat a glass of water and squeeze in two halves of a lemon. Then, add honey. Make sure that you do not add honey while the water is boiling, otherwise all the natural goodness in the honey will be destroyed.

Aids digestion: Warm water and honey before bed may be one of the safest ways to help clear toxins that are present in your body’s digestive system. The antimicrobial agents may help kill harmful pathogens found in your gut, while raw honey’s prebiotic content helps feed the healthy bacteria in your colon. You can take the same drink early in the morning as well to promote faster digestion of food and the cleansing of toxins from the body.

Cure for midnight hunger pangs: You’ve probably heard the advice not to eat anything after 7:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. But what if you feel hungry late in the night? Will you starve yourself and spoil your sleep over it? In such a scenario, one of the best ways to manage and relieve your hunger pangs is to have some honey before bed. The intake of natural sugar will up your blood sugar levels, leading to the release of tryptophan. This later gets converted into serotonin, a hormone responsible for the relaxation of the brain, thereby inducing sleep.

Study: Honey’s Effect on Sleep Quality for Children

Coughing at night is a common occurrence among children, and it often disturbs their sleep. According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, many cough-related medicines contain codeine and dextromethorphan as ingredients, which may be the reason for long-term damage in the child. The World Health Organization, however, supports the use of natural elements such as ginger, honey, and lemon not only to cure the symptoms of cough, but also to induce sleep. Since the ingredients are natural, they are less likely to impact the children adversely, and also help to promote sleep.

In a study of 105 children in Pennsylvania, one group was administered dextromethorphan, another was given honey, and the remaining were given no treatment at all. The results were surprising. Out of the total group of children, between the ages of 2 and 18, the ones who were administered honey fared better than those who were administered dextromethorphan.

To reduce the scope for bias, the researchers made sure that both medicines were similar to each other so that distinction was near impossible. The children who used honey before bed had fewer occurrences of coughing in the night and slept more peaceful hours than those who were administered the other drug.

Lemon Water and Honey before Bed: Even More Benefits?

Having honey before bed also could potentially help you to achieve a slimmer figure and heal your body holistically.

Anti-obesity: For those who may be battling obesity, the consumption of honey at night may be a good option. Being completely fat-free, honey not only limits your fat intake but also tastes good. Having honey before bed to help manage your weight is also an easy, hassle-free method. If you consume lemon-infused warm water mixed with a teaspoon full of honey at night as well, you could possibly reduce your tummy fat while also controlling coughs or other symptoms of bronchitis and asthma.

Many properties and a natural wonder drug: The antibacterial, antifungal, and antioxidant properties of honey make it one of the natural wonder drugs available to humans. From treating problems related to digestion, insomnia, and weight loss to promoting healthy and lustrous skin, honey seems to do it all. Start drinking lemon in a warm water decoction with honey before bed to see the wonderful changes your body may go through.

Final Thoughts on Honey before Bedtime

Honey is a wonderful ingredient to help keep your body healthy. It not only works internally but also externally. It is a versatile, naturally available ingredient that is good for the skin and heart, and may even work wonders for those who are suffering from hypertension, diabetes (type 2), and arthritis. Incorporate the purest form of raw honey into your routine before your bedtime to see a healthier version of you.

Read Next: