If you’ve been paying attention to any longevity news lately you know that there a huge healthy benefits of honeycomb. Eating it, mixing it in with tea, putting it on toast, are all easy ways to reap the health benefits.
If you’ve been lucky enough to taste honeycomb right from the hive then you know what I’m talking about. If you aren’t convinced yet, here are the top 5 health benefits of honeycomb and how you can add a little sweetness to your life!
What is Honeycomb?
In simple terms honeycomb is where bees make and store honey and raise their babies. The hexagonal shape of the beeswax cells is efficient and strong. Inside each of the hexagonal shapes is fountains of stored about honey.
The honeycomb is made up of nutrient properties such as flavonoids and polyphenols. Both have been shown in research as being anti-inflammatory, antioxidant and anti-microbial.
Beekeepers collect honey by taking out the comb, and when you eat it, you get to experience the special texture of honeycomb. Along with the amazing health benefits.
You won’t find honeycomb in your local grocery store though, you typically need to source it from a local beekeeper.
Health Benefits of Eating Honeycomb
Honeycomb has natural sugars, vitamins, and antioxidants, which can help with your allergies, digestion, and gives you that wonderful energy. But it is also high in calories and glucose, so watching the portion size that you eat is a good idea.
If you do watch the amount you eat, here are some of the amazing health benefits that comes along with it.
Nutrient-Rich
Honeycomb is filled with natural sugars, vitamins, and antioxidants. These things can be good for your health, possibly helping with allergies, digestion, and giving you a quick energy boost. Some people even use it for healing wounds because it has antibacterial properties.
It contains: Riboflavin, Niacin, Pantothenoic Acid, Vitamin B6, Vitamin B12, Folate (lots!), Vitamin C, Selenium, Magnesium, Zinc, Iron, Potassium, Sodium, Phosphorous and Calcium.
Gut Health
Honeycomb is full of carbohydrates called oligosaccharides. These non-digestible carbs have been shown to alter the gut microbiota in a positive way that encourages healthy gut bacteria. Current research suggests that it can inhibit the infection-causing bacteria in our gut!
Antioxidant Properties
The darker the colour of honey the high the antioxidant properties in it. Antioxidants work to intercept the free radicals (bad cells) that can cause a lot of damage to the body. Having a diet rich in antioxidants can help to prevent cell damage in our bodies from getting worse.
Anti-Inflammatory Properties
Honeycomb has these natural things called flavonoids and polyphenols. They’re powerful because they fight inflammation. By doing that, they can help you lower the chances of health problems like heart disease and arthritis. Plus, honeycomb’s antioxidants help to battle inflammation and stress.
Energy Boost
Honeycomb is a natural energy boost. It’s full of natural sugars, like fructose and glucose, that you can turn into energy. So when you eat honeycomb, you get a quick and long-lasting energy kick without that tired feeling you get from candy bars.
Bone Health
Early research done in animal models has shown promising results in the fight against osteoporosis. In animal models they found that regular doses of honey helped with antiresorptive effects on the bone, which means less bone breakdown.
How to Enjoy Honeycomb
The first question I commonly get asked about eating honeycomb is how do I eat it? Here are my top ways that you can enjoy honeycomb!
Mix it in Tea
To enjoy honeycomb in your tea, just make your tea as usual, then drop a small piece of honeycomb into it. Stir and let it melt and blend the tea with its sweet flavor. No need for the extra sugar – the honeycomb is sweet enough.
Add it to Toast
To enjoy honeycomb on toast, simply spread some honeycomb directly onto your toasted bread, and it will melt into a nice natural spread.
Add on Salads
To add honeycomb to your salad, just break it into small pieces and sprinkle them over your greens.
Add on Desserts
For a nice dessert, break honeycomb into small pieces and use it as a topping. It’ll add a lovely crunch and natural sweetness to treats like ice cream.
Buy Local
To buy local honeycomb, check out markets or honey producers. Ask about where they get the honey and how it’s made. It’s a nice way to enjoy honey while supporting your local community.
By buying local honey you can enjoy its unique, flavorful taste of local flowers.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can you drink honeycomb?
You can’t really “drink” honeycomb, but you can still enjoy its taste. Just add a piece of honeycomb to a warm drink like tea or simply chew on it to taste the honey.
Are there any risks to eating honeycomb?
Eating honeycomb is generally safe for most of us, but there are a few things I want you to watch out for. If you’re allergic to bee products you should obviously stay away. For babies under one year don’t serve it because of a risk of botulism.