I have always been fascinated by honey as a source of good nutrition. What,however,is not so commonly known is that honey has useful medicinal properties and its health benefits continue to be discovered regularly. Of course,as with so many other health-related matters,I find that the Ayurveda since ancient times has given honey a very prominent place in its scheme of medicinal remedies. Among the well-known medicinal uses of honey is its role in the treatment of many types of coughs. A recent scientific study on children afflicted with upper respiratory infections accompanied by a night-time cough clearly established that honey was more effective than many conventional cough syrups. Of course,among the added advantages is the absence of side effects. Honey is also valuable as a sweetener for the healthy as well as diabetics. This has been documented clinically. The benefits for diabetics accrue because honey has a Low Glycemic Index that is,it causes a smaller rise in blood sugar levels as opposed to other simple sugars such as glucose or sucrose (the regular sugar that we use at home). It is thus far more preferable to sugar as a sweetener even for healthy individuals. Honey is made up of two different sugar molecules Fructose and Glucose. A new German study has determined that the low glycemic effect of honey was due to constituents other than Fructose and Glucose. Next week: Honey for wound dressings,cancer nsingh.rxpress@expressindia.com
