Honey which is sweet and thick in taste and texture respectively is no less than an elixir. Honey is naturally produced by honey bees. It is commonly used as a substitute for sugar and also has many therapeutic uses for the skin like treating wounds and burns.
There are ample of benefits of drinking honey with warm water. However, it is essential to note that it is the purest and unfiltered form of honey that has the most therapeutic potential.
The Benefits of Honey are:
Honey exhibits powerful healing properties when applied topically and can speed up the healing of wounds and burns on the skin. These activities are mainly due to the antimicrobial, antioxidant, and anti-inflammatory properties of honey.
It can be used to treat diabetic foot ulcers. Honey can help in healing foot ulcers.
The topical application of honey can also help with acne.
Now, let us throw light on why it is good to have honey with warm water.
What Are The Benefits Of Drinking Honey With Warm Water?
Honey is often recommended to be consumed with warm water due to the following reasons:
Honey Is Antimicrobial
The antibacterial properties of honey can protect from infectious diseases.
It Can Help With Cough
Honey can reduce the frequency and severity of cough in children. It can be given in a dose of 2.5 ml to children older than one year (7). However, it should not be given to a child who is below one year due to the risk of botulism.
It Can Improve the Quality Of Sleep
Honey can also improve the quality of sleep in children with upper respiratory infections like cough.
Honey Promotes Digestion
It exhibits a positive effect on gut bacteria and helps in keeping your digestive system healthy and balanced. Honey can also inhibit the genotoxic and harmful effects of mycotoxins when used as a substitute for processed sugar.
It Aids Weight Loss
When you substitute sugar with honey, it too can help in weight loss in the long run.
These are the proven therapeutic uses of honey. Let us look at a few anecdotal claims with no scientific evidence to back them:
- Honey helps in flushing out toxins.
- Honey can improve acne when applied topically.
- It melts fat.
- It improves cognitive function.
While these are popular claims, we don’t know how true they are and cannot rely on them entirely. Some individuals need to limit their intake of honey due to its possible side effects.
Does it have any side effects when consumed with warm water?
Honey is a natural ingredient that is completely safe to be ingested most of the time. But even though it is a better alternative to processed sugar, it is better to consume honey in moderation if you have diabetes or acne-prone skin.
Children under one year should not be given honey as it increases the risk of botulism.
Let us figure out the most appropriate time to take honey with warm water to reap the maximum benefits.
Honey and warm water at night before sleeping: Should or shouldn’t?
Honey can be consumed with warm water at any time of the day. Due to its scientifically proven benefits, we recommend taking this concoction at night for a sound sleep. This is especially if you or your kids are battling a nocturnal cold or flu.
While it is relatively safe to feed honey to your child, you need to consider their age to avoid complications.
Is it ok to consume honey with cold water?
Whilst it is usually recommended to take honey with warm water to aid digestion, it is out and out fine to take it with cold water as well.
However, what one should note is that honey shouldn’t be boiled or taken with piping hot water. Consuming heated honey can have deleterious effects on one’s health due to the formation of toxic compounds during the heating process.
Here’s how you can consume it.
- Mix a teaspoon or two of honey in a glass of warm water and have it in the morning. It will kick start your digestion. You can also refrigerate a glass of water mixed with honey and drink it after a tiring day at work.
Try drinking honey with warm water from today and let us know about your experience in the comments section below. If you have any queries or suggestions, post them below, and we’ll get back to you.
Also, read our blog on MUNCH ON THESE DRY FRUITS TO IMPROVE OVERALL HEALTH!
