For thousands of years, people have kept bees and consumed the honey they produce. One approach to take advantage of the fruits of bees’ labour is to consume honeycomb. This could have positive health effects, from a decreased chance of infection to a healthier heart and liver. Beeswax, comb honey and wildflower honey do talk about what make these things in trend. However, there may be certain hazards involved in consuming honey straight from the comb.
The applications, advantages, and risks of honeycomb are discussed in this article.
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Honeycomb, Meaning:
To store honey and pollen or to house their larvae, honey bees create the natural product known as honeycomb is made of: beeswax hexagonal cells, filled with raw honey.
Since raw honey has not been pasteurised or filtered, it differs from commercial honey.
Comb Honey Benefits
For thousands of years, people have kept bees and consumed the honey they produce.
One approach to take advantage of the fruits of bees’ labour is to consume honeycomb. This could have positive health effects, from a decreased chance of infection to a healthier heart and liver. However, there may be certain hazards involved in consuming honey straight from the comb.
The applications, advantages, and risks of honeycomb are discussed in this article.
Honeycomb, Meaning:
To store honey and pollen or to house their larvae, honey bees create the natural product known as honeycomb is made of: beeswax hexagonal cells, filled with raw honey. Since raw honey has not been pasteurised or filtered, it differs from commercial honey.
Additionally, honeycomb might contain :
royal jelly, propolis, and pollen, which have their own potential health advantages. However, these are probably only going to be present in little concentrations
The honey and the waxy cells that surround it are edible, as well as the entire honeycomb.
1) Several Specific Nutrients
Both antioxidants and carbs are abundant in honeycomb.
Its major ingredient is raw honey, which is primarily water and sugar with trace amounts of protein, vitamins, and minerals. Raw honey has antimicrobial and antibacterial qualities because it contains enzymes like glucose oxidase that are present because it hasn’t been processed.
The boiling and filtering processes used to treat the majority of commercial honey remove such enzymes. Additionally, raw honey tends to have more antioxidants than processed honey and is less likely to be tainted with sugars like high-fructose corn syrup.
2) Could Improve Heart Health
Your heart health may be improved by honeycomb.
According to research, beeswax contains long-chain fatty acids and alcohols that may lower high blood cholesterol, a risk factor for heart disease. Beeswax alcohols, for instance, have been reported to raise “good” HDL cholesterol by 8–15% while lowering “bad” LDL cholesterol by up to 29%, according to one research.
It’s unclear, though, if the little amounts of beeswax in honeycomb would have the same effects given that the experiments in this study used large volumes of isolated alcohols made from beeswax.
3) Possibly a Sugar Alternative for Diabetics
For diabetics, honeycomb may be a good substitute for sugar.
This is partially due to the fact that honey is sweeter than sugar, requiring less of it to provide the same sweetness. Additionally, compared to refined sugar, honey seems to elevate blood sugar levels less. Nevertheless, honey still causes blood sugar levels to rise, so those who have diabetes should limit their intake.
Additionally, beeswax contains alcohols that may aid in reducing insulin resistance, a condition that raises blood sugar levels.
4) may enhance liver performance
Additionally, honeycomb might support a healthier liver. People with liver disease were given a mixture of beeswax alcohols every day during a 24-week study. Notably, versus only 8% in the placebo group, 48% of individuals in the beeswax group reported a reduction in symptoms, such as nausea, bloating, and stomach pain.
Additionally, 28% of individuals who received beeswax alcohols had their liver function revert to normal, as opposed to none in the placebo group.
5) Methods of Use
There are several ways to enjoy honeycomb. You can eat it by itself, but it also tastes great spread on warm bread or English muffins. Honeycomb can also be sprinkled on top of pancakes, cereal, or yoghurt as well as used as a sweetener in handmade desserts.
A slice of honeycomb may also be enjoyed by certain individuals on top of salad or with fruit, charcuterie, or aged cheeses. Although you can purchase it online, you’re more likely to discover honeycomb at your neighbourhood health food store or farmers market.
Keep in mind when selecting honeycomb that the honey’s beneficial elements, such as antioxidants, are richer the darker the honey.
The Verdict :
Raw honey is contained in waxy, hexagonal cells that make up honeycomb, a naturally occurring bee product. Eating honey and its comb has several health advantages, including preventing infections and enhancing heart health. Additionally, honeycomb may improve liver function and act as a sugar substitute for diabetics.
Despite this, honeycomb still contains a lot of sugar and should only be eaten in moderation.