5 Health Benefits Of Honey + The Science Of How It Works

From ingesting a spoonful to slathering it on as a facial cleanser, honey delivers potent antibacterial, antioxidant, and anti-inflammatory properties, and its power lies in its composition. Like liquid gold and sweeter than sugar, honey is comprised primarily of fructose and glucose, as well as numerous flavonoid polyphenols, enzymes, minerals, free amino acids, vitamins, and proteins.

The healing properties of honey1 have been known for thousands of years. Here's some of what honey can do for you:

Honey's status as a veritable cure-all comes from its composition. A potent mix of antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, and antioxidant properties make it a match for just about anything. Here, we break down the superpowers behind this superfood.

According to the National Institutes of Health (NIH), honey contains an enzyme1 that produces germ-busting hydrogen peroxide. As a result, honey is an antibacterial agent that has been used for centuries, both internally and externally. The NIH states that the "medicinal importance of honey has been documented in the world's oldest medical literatures, and since ancient times, it has been known to possess antimicrobial properties as well as wound-healing activity."

Before we dive into the world of honey as an antioxidant, let's define some terms. An antioxidant is a substance that inhibits oxidation or the effects of oxidation on living cells. Oxidation occurs when a cell is exposed to or combined with oxygen, ultimately resulting in its deterioration. One way oxidation can be assessed is by measuring levels of reactive oxygen species, or ROS. ROS levels increase during times of environmental stress or oxidation, resulting in oxidative stress and the degradation of the cell6. This type of oxidative stress can lead to numerous physical pathologies, from cancer to asthma to hypertension.

That's where honey comes in. Honey contains high levels of polyphenols, which have been found to reduce ROS levels7 effectively in cells. Polyphenols are plant compounds that act as antioxidant agents in the body and have been found in abundance in honey, with darker honeys found to have a higher phenolic content and antioxidant capacity. Epidemiological studies also show that polyphenols have potent effects in the treatment of cancer8 and cardiovascular disease9. Moreover, these same antioxidants serve to reduce LDL cholesterol levels10 by keeping cholesterol out of the lining of the blood vessels. Oxidative stress has also been shown to cause inflammation11, internally and externally—another arena in which honey has proved effective for treatment.

While honey on its own is obviously not going to cure cancer or heart disease, the studies clearly suggest a strong benefit of incorporating honey into your regular diet.

In tandem with its antioxidant powers, honey's phenolic compounds have also been shown to reduce inflammation in the body and even to inhibit tumor growth12 in cell and animal models. Inflammation is a defensive response by cells and tissues and can be either acute (the way a bug bite swells) or chronic (the way joints become swollen and stiff) in nature.

In tissues, ranging from lung (for coughs and asthma)13 to throat1 to brain12, honey has proved an effective anti-inflammatory agent. From diminishing airway inflammation to reducing neuroinflammation and supporting the recovery of function and memory, honey can tame the cellular havoc14 caused by oxidation and disease. Again, you may not want it to be your only remedy for inflammation problems—but drizzling it on your oatmeal definitely isn't a bad thing.

Functioning as an antibacterial, antioxidant, and anti-inflammatory agent, honey serves as one of the most potent medicinal foods available today—at the correct dosage. While it could be tempting to treat internal ailments by consuming the high dosage levels indicated in scientific studies (many studies involved consuming around ½ cup a day10), eating that much honey is not necessarily nutritionally advisable. Honey is considered an added sugar, and, per the American Heart Association's suggestion15, should be limited to about 1½ teaspoons per day. At home, it would be best to consume honey in moderation (like with tea or to sweeten your oatmeal) or use it in various topical applications (like in a honey face wash or putting on small burns or scratches. —from honey face-washing to treating small burns and wounds—and limited internal administration.

Reap honey's benefits by substituting it for other sweeteners and by seeking out honey with particularly high antioxidant concentrations, like Manuka and buckwheat honey7. And for the greatest medicinal benefit, make sure to procure honey that is raw and unfiltered—closest to its immortalized Mesolithic era art form.