Hi, honey 🐝

Honey has many benefits, but have you heard of propolis?

Today's Ingredients Nature provides a bewildering array of incredible substances that can sustain, heal, and nourish, but honey holds a special place in humanity's heart. The fact that something so irresistibly delicious is protected by stinging bees somehow makes it even sweeter. But there's more to honey than how it rewards your taste buds — it delivers some fascinating health benefits, too, as you'll read below. Also in today's Nutrition Edition:   • A raw, medicinal honey from New Zealand   • Bees also make this incredible stuff   • Vitamin D could help prevent heart attacks   • Top hiccup-stoppin' tips Bon appétit, Tim Snaith Newsletter Editor, Healthline   Written by Tim Snaith July 11, 2023 • 5 min read Main Course Bees, please Think about what goes into honey: The work of thousands of bees, nectar from even more flowering plants, sunshine, and minerals all combine into a golden, gloopy treasure. It feeds young bees, and many other animals crave it, including us. In return, humans build more hives and generally give bees the respect they deserve. Here are some of the remarkable and often-overlooked health benefits of honey:   🌱 Nutrient powerhouse: Honey contains traces of vital nutrients and an abundance of polyphenols — particularly flavonoids — which are plant compounds known for promoting health. These help shield you from harmful molecules in your body, reducing the risk of premature aging, diabetes, and heart ailments.   🩸 Like sugar but smarter: Yes, honey nudges your blood sugar levels like regular sugar, but there's a twist: Its antioxidants may reduce systemic inflammation and protect against metabolic syndrome and type 2 diabetes.   💓 Heart health ally: Research is giving us some hints that raw honey can lower cholesterol levels and provide other benefits for the heart!   🌟 Some benefits are skin-deep: Honey has long been known to help heal burns, wounds, and ulcers. Its antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties can be highly effective.   😷 Natural cough remedy: Honey can safely suppress cough in children over 1 year old without any side effects (but it's off-limits for infants under age 1 due to botulism risk).   🍯 Truly versatile: Swirled into yogurt, poured onto pancakes, drizzled onto fruits, or stirred into your tea, honey blends seamlessly wherever it's needed (or wanted!). The trick is not to use too much. It's definitely one of those things best enjoyed in moderation.   🍋 Team player: Honey works well on its own, but people also combine it with garlic, lemon, and cinnamon for a range of interesting benefits –– some proven, some not. In addition to the everyday honey you can buy in any store, there are several less common varieties, including buckwheat, Tualang (which may protect memory and your brain), peroxide-packed manuka honey, kanuka honey, raw honey, hallucinogenic mad honey, and tupelo honey. Tell us: My personal favorite is Scottish heather honey. What's yours? Let me know by email, along with any honey tips, tricks, or recipes. I will also accept jars of honey if you insist on sending them. (Please note that we may use your name and response in an upcoming newsletter!) Kitchen Kit What we're using No, not manuka honey — kanuka honey. This premium honey is 100% raw and unpasteurized and comes from the white flowers of the kanuka tree in New Zealand. Though less expensive than manuka honey, it has high levels of antibacterial and anti-inflammatory compounds. When applied to your skin, it may be as effective as antibacterial soap as a treatment for acne. Plus, $1 of every purchase goes to Bright Hope World, which funds sustainable agricultural projects. Word of warning: This product does not suit people following a vegan lifestyle. Every product we recommend has gone through Healthline's vetting process. If you buy through links on this page, we may receive a small commission or other tangible benefit. Healthline has sole editorial control over this newsletter. Potential uses for the products listed here are not health claims made by the manufacturers. Healthline is owned by RVO Health.   Mountain Valley Premium Raw Kanuka Honey 4.3  |  58 ratings Details: Genuine New Zealand Kānuka, 17.6oz (500g) Shop now Nutrition Spotlight We focus on a different nutrient each week — some well known, others more unusual. This week's nutrient is… Propolis We have so much to thank bees for — good old honey, beeswax, royal jelly, and propolis, a substance bees use as glue in their hives that bursts with surprising health benefits. Concocted by bees from the sap of needle-leaved trees, propolis contains more than 500 identified compounds and is brimming with polyphenols, including flavonoids. It's also a source of amino acids; vitamins A, C, and E; and minerals like potassium and magnesium. The benefits? Propolis is a multitasker. It can be your skin's best friend, helping to heal burns and stimulate collagen production for wound healing. Got a cold sore or a mouth infection? Propolis to the rescue! It can speed up healing and reduce symptoms. But propolis doesn't stop there. Early research hints at potential uses in managing certain cancers and fighting chronic diseases, thanks to its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. It may even help in the prevention and treatment of type 2 diabetes. Despite the health perks, remember that propolis isn't for everyone. Those with allergies to honey, bees, or pollen need to tread carefully. Always check with a healthcare professional before embracing the power of propolis, particularly if you're taking medication. If you'd like to learn more about all the things bee glue can (and probably can't) do, check out our guide to propolis to see what all the buzz is about. the takeout What we're digesting 🧅 FODMAP 101. This elimination diet has helped some people identify and overcome digestive problems. Is it one you should try? Learn more in our guide. 🚑 Why is Ozempic sending some people to the ER? We look into reports of people visiting hospitals with vomiting and stomach pain. How serious is this issue? ❤️‍🩹 Monthly vitamin D supplements could help prevent heart attacks. Researchers say the effect was not as great as they hoped, but it was still significant. 🥛 Hiccups — and how to stop them. As far as I know, one thing honey cannot do is cure hiccups, but that's fine. Let's list some effective remedies. Thanks for reading! I'm back on Thursday with a fitness-themed Nutrition Edition, and then Ginger follows on Sunday with a spicy number you'll want to warm up the grill for. Until next time, Take care of yourself, and we'll see you again soon!   This edition was powered by a spoonful.

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