We all want to look good with clear skin and a fantastic figure. Leading a healthy lifestyle by eating right, exercising, managing stress, and being positive helps you achieve all of this. However, there are many other things you can do to benefit your health. Take honey water for example. It is an amazing tonic that detoxes the body, and helps you to look good and feel great.
Honey water is a simple concoction of honey and warm water. Drinking warm water in the morning on an empty stomach benefits health tremendously. But with the addition of honey, the goodness of warm water doubles. Honey water helps to eliminate toxic materials from the body and also improves metabolism.
Honey Water Benefits Your Health
Honey water is a popular weight loss remedy. Usually, lemon is also added to honey water to help burn belly fat, but you can drink it without additional ingredients. Warm honey water has numerous health benefits. Here are eight amazing ways in which honey water benefits our health.
1. Boosts immunity
Honey consists of helpful probiotic bacteria called Lactobacillus kunkeei. When raw, unadulterated honey water is consumed, the probiotic bacteria in honey stimulates the living cells in our body.
Honey is loaded with vitamins and minerals that boost the immune system, providing the body with vitality to fight diseases. A study presented at the Society for General Microbiology Spring Conference in Harrogate, UK, revealed that Manuka honey can reverse bacterial resistance to antibiotics.
2. Could be good for diabetes
There has been much debate surrounding honey and diabetes in the medical field with contradicting views. According to a study published in the Journal of Medicinal Food, honey may possibly reduce cholesterol, as well as lower plasma glucose and blood lipids. Additionally, another study published in the International Journal of Biological Sciences, suggests that honey has a possible future as an antidiabetic agent.
3. Aids in weight loss
Honey is a beneficial natural substance that can mobilize unused stored fat and cholesterol in cells and tissues. The sugar content in honey is healthy and harmless.
In fact, these sugars are beneficial and a good source of energy. A research study published in the International Journal of Molecular Sciences in 2010 found that regular consumption of honey can significantly normalize blood sugar levels and promote healthy weight loss.
Related: Is Honey Fattening or Helps in Losing Weight
4. Energizes the body
Hydration is very important for proper body functioning. Honey water helps to keep the body well hydrated. Drinking honey water after you wake up in the morning will provide you with a good amount of helpful carbohydrates, antioxidants, and other nutrients. All these together provide you with the energy to go about your day without being tired.
Honey water also helps get rid of toxins in the body. If you add lemon juice to this mixture, it helps further. It provides you real energy and relieves acidity, unlike caffeine.
5. Treats Cough and Cold
Honey water mixed with ginger has a soothing effect on a sore throat. It brings relief to viral conditions like the common cold and cough. Lemon has antioxidant properties, while honey—especially buckwheat honey—is known to be antibacterial, antiseptic, and anti-viral.
Together, they make a great team to fight against infections and diseases. You should always opt for raw honey, as it contains pollen. Consuming raw honey helps you develop resistance against pollen-related allergies.
6. Improves digestion
Drinking honey water before bed improves digestion. The properties of honey water aids in the easy passage of food from the intestines to the colon.
This helps with digestion and neutralizes gas in the stomach. Medical research has recently proven that honey water could be administered to treat stomach disorders, like ulcers and bacterial gastroenteritis.
7. Helps with allergies
Environmental allergies, such as pollen allergies, can be avoided by consuming local honey. Locally-produced honey contains pollen from your surroundings, which may be causing your allergic reaction.
Therefore, consuming honey that contains local bee pollen could help improve allergy symptoms. This treatment works much like sublingual immunotherapy.
8. Regulates bowel movements
A glass of honey water with lemon on an empty stomach every morning will improve and regulate bowel movements. The antiseptic properties of honey help to reduce acidity in the stomach, and increase intestinal mucus production. All of these work in favor of easy and regular stool-passing.
How to Make Honey Water Detox Recipes
Making simple honey water is neither rocket science, nor does it require many ingredients. Here are a few easy-to-make honey water detox recipes for you to try.
Simple Honey Water Recipe
Ingredients:
- 1 to 2 tablespoons of honey
- 1 cup of water
Directions
Pour a cup of water in a kettle, and put it over medium heat. Bring it to boil. If you are using a microwave, heat the water for one to two minutes.
Let the water cool and transfer it to a mug. Add a spoonful or two of honey to it. Stir well, until honey dissolves completely. Drink warm.
Honey Water with Lemon Recipe
Ingredients:
- 1 to 2 tablespoons of honey
- 1 cup of water
- 1 lemon cut into halves, deseeded
Directions
Boil some water in a pot. When it has cooled a bit, pour into a mug. Add one to two tablespoons of honey, and a few drops of lemon.
Mix well and drink warm.
Related: Benefits of Lemon Water with Honey
Honey Water with Cinnamon Recipe
Ingredients:
- 1 to 2 tablespoons of honey
- 1 cup of water
- 1 teaspoon of cinnamon
Directions
In a kettle, boil some water over medium heat. Let it cool a bit, and pour it into a mug. Stir in one or two heaped spoonfuls of honey, and one spoon of cinnamon powder.
Combine the ingredients well and drink warm.
Honey Water with Ginger and Lemon Recipe
- 1 to 2 tablespoons of honey
- 1 cup of water
- 1 lemon cut into halves, deseeded
- 1 1-inch piece of ginger
Directions
Add about one cup of water or more in a kettle, and heat it for a minute or two.
Cut the ginger piece into thin slices and put it in the boiling water. Turn off the heat and allow the ginger pieces to steep for five minutes.
Meanwhile, in another cup, mix one tablespoon each of honey and lemon juice. Pour the warm water with ginger through a mesh strainer into the honey-lemon mixture.
Stir to blend the ingredients well. Drink warm.
How the Honey Water Detox Works
Dietitians and nutritionists hold honey in high regard, as it is one of the healthiest organic foods. Warm honey water detoxes the body. Therefore, drinking honey water is a wonderful way to flush toxins out of the body and prevent disease. It leads to proper urination, softens stool, and improves bowel movements. You can maximize the effects of a honey water detox by adding a few drops of lemon to it. Drinking it over a period of time with breaks in between, can lead to overall good health if followed up with balanced diet and exercise.
With all that, we can conclude that honey water is an excellent way to detox the body. Honey is loaded with antioxidant properties, and is a fantastic natural food that is nutritious, safe, and easily available. Drinking honey water daily increases immunity, and prevents free radical damage to the cells. To reap optimum health benefits, consider using raw and unfiltered honey, as it is healthier than processed or filtered honey.
Related:
- Honey and Cinnamon for Weight Loss
- 5 Amazing Benefits of Honey
- How to Make Pineapple Water
- Ginger Water Benefits & How to Make It
- Lemon Water Before Bed: Benefits & Side Effects
Sources:
“Traditional and Modern Uses of Natural Honey in Human Disease,” US National Library of Medicine website; https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3758027/, last accessed March 28, 2017
“Honey: Its Medicinal Property and Antibacterial Activity,” US National Library of Medicine website; https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3609166/, last accessed March 28, 2017