CHOLESTEROL DIET SECRETS

Honey – A sweet remedy for cholesterol

The University of Illinois has a faculty that specializes in honey bee research. In one of their recent studies, scientists concluded that daily consumption of four tablespoons of honey mixed into a 16-ounce glass of water (total two cups) improved the antioxidant levels of the blood stream. This study was conducted on men age 18 – 68 years old. As such, you are never too old to benefit from drinking honey.

Surprisingly, honey contains as much antioxidants as spinach, apples, oranges or strawberries. Antioxidants help the body to counter the damaging effects of cholesterol. Antioxidant prevents the cholesterol in our blood from being oxidized (hardened), lowers the risk of cholesterol clogging blood vessels and thereby lowers the risk of strokes and heart attack.

Here’s a tip on choosing honey. Generally speaking, the darker the honey, the higher its mineral contents, the higher its pH (more alkaline and better detoxification properties) and the stronger its aroma would be. These are some of the minerals found in honey - potassium, iron, manganese, magnesium and sodium – all of which play essential roles in our body.

Honey is a natural humectant; when exposed to air, honey naturally absorbs moisture from the atmosphere. This explains the role of honey in cosmetics. Honey contains enzyme which are believed to be antibacterial in nature, thus it could also be used for treating open wounds. The other benefit is that honey moisturizes and leaves the skin soft and supple, thereby prevents scarring as the wound heals.

So in the future, whenever you have a craving for a sweet drink, make yourself a glass of honey. Honey can be used in cooking. Honey is an excellent sweetener for tea and coffee. Honey also makes a good spread on bread.

To your health,

(Courtesy of Cholesterol Diet Secrets)