Honey's Hidden Talents: 5 Surprising Health Benefits for Dancers
Used as a dietary supplement for centuries, honey is more than just a sweet treat. Among its natural health benefits are anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties, and it can even fight bacteria. If you need a pick-me-up during a long day in the studio, add a spoonful of raw honey to your afternoon snack. (It’s minimally processed and is more nutritious than regular honey.) Try mixing it into plain yogurt or drizzling it over fruit—the natural sugars will give you a quick energy boost. Read on to see what else honey can do.
Honey’s antibacterial properties allow it to soothe minor burns and treat skin wounds—yes, that includes marley floor burns. When applying to wounds, use manuka honey, a special variety derived from the manuka bush’s nectar
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A great way to relieve an inflamed, sore throat is by mixing honey into a hot drink. One study even found that honey was more successful in reducing night-time coughs than many over-the-counter cold medicines.
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The antioxidants in honey promote heart health and have been shown to slow the oxidation of LDL (or the “bad”) cholesterol, helping lower levels of it in the blood.
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Honey has been found to decrease the duration and severity of diarrhea. Studies also found that it helps reduce symptoms of acid reflux and heartburn by coating and soothing the lining of the esophagus.
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Research has shown honey can be effective against dozens of bacterial strains, including common ones like E. coli and salmonella from contaminated foods.
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