Why Are So Many Bee Products Anti-Inflammatory?

It is no secret that honey is delicious. People have been eating honey for centuries, and it’s still a popular choice today. Honey is also used in many beauty products and has natural antibacterial properties, making it a great natural antibiotic. It is one of the most calorie-efficient natural sweeteners on the market today. Here are some reasons you might use anti-inflammatory bee products today.

Ability to Reduce Histamine Production

There are a lot of different uses for honey, but one of the most important ones is the ability to reduce histamine levels in your body. Histamine is a chemical produced by your body when your tissues come into contact with an allergen. If you have allergic reactions, you produce histamine and experience an uncomfortable rash or swelling. 

However, in a healthy person, histamine plays an important role in proper immune system functioning. People who have a history of inflammation or severe health conditions, such as arthritis, may need to avoid allergen exposure to reduce histamine production in their body. Honey contains enzymes that help process histamine from the body.

Preventing Cells Inflammatory Signals

When you consume honey, your body’s enzymes break down the sugars and carbohydrates to make sugar alcohols and sugar acids. Some of these compounds (called ketones) can cause inflammation in the body. The honey of the American bumblebee contains an enzyme called apigenin that neutralizes the effects of these ketones.

Like other foods, honey contains antioxidants, which help neutralize harmful free radicals and protect the body from inflammation. Bees’ practice of collecting natural pollen contains lots of inflammation-fighting antioxidants.

Contain Glucosamines

Glucosamine and chondroitin are two of the most common ingredients in both natural and pharmaceutical products that contain honey. They’re used in so many supplements and topical products because of the amount of glucosamine they contain. Studies have found that glucosamine and chondroitin are essential nutrients to help maintain bone health and effectively relieve pain. The honey-based formulation of glucosamine and chondroitin includes vitamins A, C, and E. Glucosamine and chondroitin are also helpful in lowering inflammation.

Contain Omegas

As with many other health products with honey, anti-inflammatory bee products are also high in healthy fats. Bees are the only species in the world known to only eat nectar. All honey is made by bees that fly around collecting said nectar. These pollinators collect pollen on their legs and bring it back to the hive, with the nectar in their honey stomach being regurgitated back and forth. After several enzymes enter the nectar it becomes a watery form of honey that is placed into wax cells. The water content is reduced down by fanning until the level of moisture is perfect, then the bees will cap the honey.

The pollen that is brought back is mixed with honey to create a super food called Royal Jelly. This is what is fed to baby bees and the Queen herself! This honey contains healthy fatty acids, such as Omega-3 and 6. These fatty acids are important for reducing inflammation and free radical damage in the body.

Honey In Islam

Chapter 16 (Surah Al Nahl) Verses 68-69:

68:  And your Lord inspired to the bee, “Take for yourself among the mountains, houses, and among the trees and [in] that which they construct.

69: Then eat from all the fruits and follow the ways of your Lord laid down [for you].” There emerges from their bellies a drink, varying in colors, in which there is healing for people. Indeed in that is a sign for a people who give thought.

Honey has been sought after way before the Quran was revealed, several people would seek out this pure drink for it’s beneficial properties. After this verse was revealed it became confirmed that honey had natural superpowers. As we have explained before, honey comes in different colours based on the nectar source within the radius of the beehive. ‘A healing for people’, what more could you want? Religious or not, the Lord Of The Worlds confirms the benefits of honey are unmatched. Do yourself a favour and get a jar of liquid gold from your local beekeepers!

Final Thought

Honey has been a source of nutrition for thousands of years, and there’s no question that it’s beneficial to our health. Bees are widely used in many natural remedies, and this one seems especially worth exploring. There’s no medical evidence that honey is harmful to humans, but it’s best to be careful with honey that is not bought from one of the more reputable sources.

Please help us create more awareness by sharing this article.