If ever there was a wonder substance for supporting human health then the liquid gold that is also known as honey, surely has to be up there. Indeed, humans have been using honey for in a whole plethora of ways since ancient times. The Egyptians, for example, used it as an embalming fluid and a dressing for wounds, and even made offerings of honey to their gods.
With honey having been linked to health benefits ranging from weight loss and the treatment of coughs, right through to the prevention of heart diseases and even the curing of hangovers, it’s fair to say that Winnie the Pooh’s old favourite lives up to its reputation.
But you may have also heard that honey is an supporter. How true is that?
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Why is Honey the Real Deal?
Honey may be just one of the various high-impact ingredients in Tonic Health’s Lemon & Honey sachets, but it more than plays its role.
Renowned for its potent antioxidant, antimicrobial and antiviral effects, honey modulates the innate and adaptive immune systems in various ways. Its antibacterial effectiveness is made possible by a novel molecule known as defensin-1, which plays the role of a natural antibiotic.
In addition, honey promotes the production of immune system cells, such as lymphocytes, monocytes, phagocytes and macrophages, stimulating them to release cytokines.
Cytokines are chemical messengers that your immune cells secrete to organise immune responses, such as the production of immune-boosting cells. In fact, a study published in the Journal of Leukocyte Biology in 2007 discovered a compound in honey responsible for stimulating cytokine production.
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Antioxidants Vs Free Radicals
Our use of real honey in our Lemon & Honey product allows us to bring you the full range of health benefits of this marvellously sweet substance, and the support that it provides to your immune system is just one of them.
The antioxidants contained in honey have long helped to ensure the efficient removal of free radicals from the body.
Free radicals aren’t always the ‘bad guys’ in the body that they’re often presumed to be; indeed, they are actually a crucial part of the immune system, floating through our veins and attacking unfamiliar invaders.
The problem is that once free radicals form, a chain reaction can occur, and when the body has too many free radicals, the result can be oxidative stress. This, in turn, may make you more susceptible to those many viral nasties in our world today.
Upping your honey intake, though, could give you an invaluable source of antioxidants to add to those already in the body. Antioxidants are molecules in cells that keep free radicals in check, preventing them from causing the damage that can happen when the body has too many free radicals and too few antioxidants.
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Immune Effectiveness, Encapsulated In A Tasty Drink
Of course, honey is far from the only thing that you should be taking to support your immune system.
It’s also crucial, for instance, to get enough sleep, which is something else that honey can help you to achieve, thanks to its release of serotonin, a neutral transmitter that improves mood. The body, in turn, converts serotonin into melatonin, which is a chemical compound that regulates the length and quality of sleep.
That’s all the more reason, then, for you to take Tonic Health high-dose vitamin drink, which is also packed with the other goodness – including vitamins B2 (riboflavin), C and D3, and zinc – that you can count on to help you to fend off those viral threats.
Sources:
https://food.ndtv.com/health/11-amazing-honey-benefits-boosts--treats-cough-and-more-1397491
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5424551/
https://www.manukadoctor.co.uk/blogs/content/better-than-cure--manuka-honey-more
https://www.webmd.com/diet/features/medicinal-uses-of-honey
https://healthyeating.sfgate.com/manuka-honey-boost-immune-system-10669.html