Health Benefits of Honey

  

Introduction:

Honey is the result of floral nectar and the upper aero-digestive tract of the honeybee, which is concentrated inside the beehive through a dehydration process. Honeybees or forage bees take nectar from blossoming flowers and enrich it with enzymes. They then store it in wax cells until it ripens into honey. The enzymes in the nectar transform sucrose (sugar) into glucose and fructose.

Honey is primarily sugar, but it also contains amino acids, vitamins, minerals, iron, zinc, and antioxidants. Honey is utilized as an anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and antibacterial agent in addition to being a natural sweetener. Honey is often used topically to treat burns and enhance wound healing as well as orally to cure coughs.

History of Usage of Honey:

Since ancient times, honey has been utilized as both a meal and a medicine. Stone Age artwork shows that humans used honey around 8000 years ago. Honey was used by the ancient Egyptians, Assyrians, Chinese, Greeks, and Romans to treat wounds and gastrointestinal ailments.

As a form of sacrifice, the ancient Egyptians presented honey to their gods. Honey was also utilized to embalm the deceased. Honey was used for its antibacterial characteristics, which aided in the healing of infected wounds. Honey was also utilized as a topical treatment.

Oenomel is a traditional Greek beverage made from honey and unfermented grape juice. It is occasionally used as a folk medicine for gout and other neurological ailments.

Honey is regarded as a beneficial beverage in Islamic medicine. Honey was advised by the Muslim Prophet Hazrat Mohammad (SA) for the treatment of diarrhea. Avicenna, the renowned Iranian scientist and physician, recommended honey as one of the greatest cures for tuberculosis about 1000 years ago.

During World War I, the Russians used honey to prevent wound infection and accelerate wound healing.

Types of Honey:

Honey is classified into two categories:

• Pure Raw honey:  Only the wax and other non-honey particles have been removed from this honey, which has been extracted from beehives. It is then packaged and stored for later use.

• Processed Honey: Following the removal of wax and non-honey particles, the honey is transported to a plant where it is heated, pasteurized, and bottled to improve shelf life. During the bottling process, pathogens, antioxidants, and vitamins may be eliminated by heating.

The aroma, color, flavor, and kind of floral nectar collected by the bees are also used to classify different Types of Honey. Clover, wildflower, orange blossom, heather, acacia, and manuka honey are some well-known varieties of honey.

Nutritional Information of Honey:

The precise nutritional makeup of honey varies depending on the:

1. The kind of flowers that produced nectar

2. Season

3. The method of processing applied

4. Harvesting circumstances in the environment.

The USDA proposes the honey nutrition data for 1 tablespoon (21 grammes) of honey as below.

64 calories

Fat: 0g

Sodium: 0.00mg

17g carbohydrate

0g fiber

17g sugars

0.1g protein

Potassium (mg): 10.9mg

Iron content: 0.1mg

1.3 milligrams of calcium

Honey contains calories from carbs, mainly sugar. Honey contains around 50% glucose and 50% fructose. Disaccharides such as maltose, sucrose, isomaltose, turanose, nigerose, meli-biose, panose, maltotriose, and melezitose are examples of other sugars found in Honey. Honey's glycemic index is believed to be around 60. A teaspoon has a glycemic index of about 3.5. In comparison, table sugar (sucrose) has a glycemic index of 65.

The most abundant mineral in Honey is potassium, followed by calcium, magnesium, sodium, sulphur, and phosphorus. Iron, copper, zinc, and manganese are examples of trace elements.

Vitamins C, B1 (thiamine), and B2, as well as complex vitamins such as riboflavin, nicotinic acid, B6, and panthothenic acid, are also present.

Honey contains enzymes such as oxidase, invertase, amylase, catalase, and others. The principal enzymes found in honey, however, are invertase (saccharase), diastase (amylase), and glucose oxidase. They play a crucial part in honey creation.

Physical Properties:

Liquid honey ranges in color from clear and colorless (like water) to dark brown or black. Bright yellow (sunflower), reddish undertones (chestnut), greyish (eucalyptus), and greenish (honeydew) are less common honey colors. Because glucose crystals are white, honey becomes lighter in color when crystalized.

Honey is a viscous liquid when it is freshly extracted. Its viscosity is affected by a wide range of compounds and so varies with composition, notably water content. Normal honey with a water percentage of 18.8% or less absorbs moisture from air with an approximate humidity of 60% or higher.

Health Benefits of Honey:

Honey is a syrupy liquid produced by honeybees from plant nectar. It is a frequent ingredient in many meals and comes in a variety of forms.

The product also has several possible health advantages and is used in a variety of home remedies and alternative medicine treatments. The Main Health Benefits of Consuming Honey are as under:

1.       Honey Protects from Free Radical Damage:

Honey's antioxidant capacity is crucial in many disease instances, and this is attributed to a variety of substances such as phenolics, peptides, organic acids, enzymes, and Maillard reaction products. Darker types have higher antioxidant levels than lighter types.

Antioxidants assist in the neutralization of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in the body, which can accumulate in cells and cause injury. This damage can lead to illnesses such as premature ageing, type 2 diabetes, and heart disease.

2.       Antimicrobial Activity:

Honey has been shown to suppress the growth of around 60 bacteria species, including aerobes and anaerobes, gram-positives, and gram-negatives. Depending on the concentration, honey can be both bacteriostatic and bactericidal.

Honey's antibacterial mechanisms differ from antibiotics, which break bacteria's cell walls or disrupt intracellular metabolic pathways. Honey's antibacterial activity is linked to four characteristics.:

a.       Honey draws moisture from the environment, dehydrating microorganisms.

b.       Honey has a pH range of 3.2 to 4.5, which is low enough to hinder the growth of most microbes.

c.       The third and crucial antibacterial component is hydrogen peroxide, which is produced by glucose oxidase. Hydrogen peroxide has got antimicrobial properties, it’s an oxidizing agent and is generally used for cleaning infected wounds.

d.       Finally, various phytochemical antibacterial components have been found in honey. Volatile Compounds, organic acids, lysozyme, beeswax, nectar, pollen, and propolis are all key chemical components that give honey its antibacterial capabilities.

3.       Used as Wound Dressing:

Honey has been used as a dressing for wounds for thousands of years, but only recently has a scientific reason for its medicinal properties been evident. Honey is a natural wound dressing having numerous bioactivities that work together to speed up healing. It can remove infections quickly, debride wounds, decrease inflammation in a speedy manner, minimize scarring, and stimulate blood vessel formation, tissue granulation, and epithelial formation.

Manuka honey is produced by bees that pollinate the native leptospermum scoparium shrub (commonly known as a tea tree) in Australia and New Zealand. Manuka Honey used in wound-care products may tolerate dilution with significant volumes of wound exudate while still inhibiting bacterial growth. Furthermore, the antioxidant content of Manuka honey, combined with its anti-inflammatory and anti-bacterial capabilities, is suggested to prevent infections in people with venous ulcers.

4.       Treatment of Burn Wounds:

Honey's antibacterial action, low pH, substantial viscosity, hygroscopic impact, and hydrogen peroxide presence all contribute to its efficacy in burn treatment. Honey creates a moist atmosphere for optimal healing. Honey has a relaxing effect at first and then has a speedy healing impact on burns. Honey dressing hastens healing, sterilizes wounds, and relieves pain. Skin grafts with good histological preservation after honey therapy have also been described.

5.       Better for Blood Sugar Levels:

Although honey, like other types of sugar, increases blood sugar levels, the antioxidants it contains may help safeguard against metabolic syndrome and type 2 diabetes.

Honey has been proven to enhance adiponectin levels, a hormone that decreases inflammation and improves blood sugar management, according to research. There is additional evidence that daily honey consumption may improve fasting blood sugar levels in type 2 diabetics. Honey has been shown in previous studies to promote insulin secretion, lower blood glucose levels, increase hemoglobin concentration, and enhance lipid profile.

It also resulted in lower levels of blood lipids, homocysteine, and C-reactive protein (CRP) in both normal and hyperlipidemic patients.

While honey may be slightly better than refined sugar for diabetics, it should be consumed in moderation.

6.       May Benefit Heart Health:

Honey contains antioxidants such as vitamin C, monophenolics, flavonoids, and polyphenolics. Regular flavonoid consumption is linked to a lower risk of cardiovascular disease. Honey has a diverse variety of phenolic substances that have shown promise in the treatment of cardiovascular disorders. The protective effects of phenolic compounds in coronary heart disease (CHD) are primarily antithrombotic, anti-ischemic, antioxidant, and vasorelaxant. Flavonoids may reduce the incidence of CHD through three key mechanisms: enhancing coronary vasodilation, lowering platelet clotting ability in the circulation, and preventing LDL oxidation.

7.       Honey and Eye Diseases:

Honey is used to treat a variety of ophthalmological disorders such as blepharitis, keratitis, conjunctivitis, corneal lesions, and chemical and thermal burns to the eyes. Honey application reduced redness, swelling, pus discharge, and time to bacterial elimination in infective conjunctivitis.

Honey can freshen up the tired fatigued eyes like when you sit in front of Computer for a long time. Apply honey over closed eyelid and wash after half an hour. You will feel your eyes are fresh again and not tired anymore.

Honey can treat dry eyes when you use it as eyewash on alternate days. It can also protect from Age Related Macular Degeneration due to its antioxidant composition.

Honey can also help to reduce wrinkles and fine lines around our eyes. Simply apply some honey to your closed eyelids and relax for 15 minutes. Then, rinse it with warm water.

Honey can also be used as an eye tonic. It aids in the synthesis of nitric oxide, which is essential for adequate blood flow to the visual neurons and keeps the Optic Nerve of Eye in good shape.

Using honey on a regular basis, whether in diet or as an eyewash, helps improve eye lens oxidation, providing you with long-term good vision.

When preparing honey eye drops, always use fresh comb honey. Well dilute this honey in the appropriate amount of distilled hot water. Depending on its density, use the solution twice or three times each day. When making honey eye drops at home, keep in mind that the solution should not be stored for longer than a week. The solution can be prepared on a regular basis. Do not be concerned if you notice itching immediately after applying the drops. This burning sensation is natural and will fade over time.

8.       Anti-Fungal Properties:

Honey's antifungal characteristics make it an appealing alternative treatment for Candida-related infections, particularly when applied topically to the skin and mucous membranes. Honey Has also shown anti-fungal properties against some yeast and Aspergillus and Penicillium species, as well as all common dermatophytes. According to some studies, topical application of honey proved effective in treating seborrheic dermatitis and dandruff.

Apply a teaspoon of honey to the affected region and let it on for 30 minutes to treat any fungal infection. This can be done twice a day for rapid healing.

9.       Honey's Antiviral Properties:

Viruses are extremely small particles of genetic material (either DNA or RNA) encased in a protein sheath. They are unable to multiply on their own and must be replicated within the live cells of infected creatures. Viruses infect a host by inserting their genetic code into the cells, corrupting the cell's internal machinery to produce additional virus particles, and ultimately destroying the cells.

In addition to antibacterial and antifungal properties, natural honey contains antiviral properties, particularly against the Herpes and Rubella viruses.

Manuka Honey's potent antiviral action against influenza was attributed to its virucidal (cell-destroying) activity (Watanabe et al. 2014). According to these authors, methylgloxal (MGO) in Manuka Honey adds to its anti-influenza viral activity.

10.   Good For Digestive Tract Issues:

Honey is sometimes used to treat digestive disorders like Diarrhea and Gastroenteritis, while data on its effectiveness is limited. It also contains helpful prebiotics, which feed the friendly bacteria that reside in the intestines, which are important not only for digestion but also for overall health. Previous study suggested that honey's prebiotic effects are mostly due to oligosaccharides and low molecular weight polysaccharides connected via -glycosidic bonds. Probiotics extracted from honey bee guts were made up of a variety of microorganisms, including Bifidobacterium and lactic acid bacteria (LAB), as well as fructophilic lactic acid bacteria (FLAB), a subset of LAB, yeasts, and other forms of bacteria like Bacillus species.

Honey has been used to treat and protect against gastrointestinal infections caused by bacteria and rotaviruses, such as gastritis, duodenitis, and gastric ulcers. It may have potential as a treatment for Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori), a common cause of stomach ulcers. H. Pylori is reported to be sensitive to honey, with a moderate amount of antibacterial activity due to the presence of 20% hydrogen peroxide.

11.   Soothes Sore Throat and Cough:

Honey is well-known as one of the greatest home treatments for both dry and wet coughs. A tablespoon of honey has also been demonstrated in studies to alleviate throat discomfort. Honey is the recommended natural cough cure, particularly for children, because it relieves nighttime cough, allowing proper sleep. According to research, it may be related to honey's antibacterial and wound healing qualities, which may provide pain relief and reduce inflammation in the throat.

The CDC recommends honey to alleviate sore throats in adults and children over the age of one year. Since 2001, the World Health Organization (WHO) has suggested honey for a sore throat.

12.   Honey's Anti-Inflammatory Properties:

Inflammation plays a critical role in the development of chronic diseases such as cancer, cardiovascular disease, diabetes, arthritis, and neurological diseases, all of which pose a significant treatment challenge. Honey has many anti-inflammatory properties which make it unique to cure or prevent these diseases.

Honey inhibits the activity of cyclooxygenase-1 and cyclooxygenase-2, resulting in anti-inflammatory properties. Honey also has immunomodulatory properties. Furthermore, eating of diluted natural honey reduced the quantities of prostaglandins such as PGE2, PGF2, and thromboxane B2 in normal people' plasma.

13.   Prevents Acid Reflux:

The upward flow of stomach acid can cause gastroesophageal reflux disorder, which is characterized by inflammation, reflux of acid, and heartburn. Honey coats the esophagus and stomach lining when taken due to its viscous nature, which may help prevent stomach acid backflow. More research is needed, however, to confirm the effectiveness of honey for acid reflux. Honey may also induce the regrowth of sphincter tissue.

14.   Might Promote Oral Health:

Honey has antibacterial properties that can neutralize approximately 60 types of bacteria while also preventing the development of resistant bacterial strains.

Honey is also proven to combat oral infections and reduce gum disease symptoms. Honey can be used instead of standard therapies to prevent tooth cavities and gingivitis after orthodontic treatment. Manuka Honey in particular is very beneficial for Oral Health due to the following effects:

Anti-inflammatory: Manuka honey has the ability to relieve dental pain and swelling. If you have gum disease, it will assist to reduce inflammation.

Because Manuka honey is antimicrobial, consuming it will actually help clean your teeth. This healer aids in the breakdown of plaque, which causes tooth decay.

Manuka honey's antiviral characteristics enable it to combat mouth infections, gum disease, and other conditions. Use Manuka honey to keep viruses away from your teeth and gums.

Antioxidant: By delivering antioxidants to the body, this all-natural healer cleanses your mouth of harmful substances. This can lead to better breath and healthier teeth.

15.   Healthy Development for Kids:

Honey has been shown to aid memory and growth in babies. It also aids in the reduction of anxiety and the improvement of a child's performance later in life. Honey lowers the crying period in babies more effectively than sterile water. Honey is also tolerated better by children. A study on honey-fed children discovered that they gain weight consistently, have fewer and lighter bowel movements, have no digestive troubles, consume more calcium, and have better skin color. Honey can be a wonderful substitute for sugary treats for children.

However, giving honey especially the Raw one to your child below one year of age is not advised due to risk of Botulism.

16.   Performance Enhancement for Athletes:

You receive 17 grams of carbs from one teaspoon of honey. This demonstrates that honey can be used as an alternative for energy boost during exercise. Athletes' performance improved when they consumed small amounts of honey during physical activity, according to studies. The effects of honey were far superior to those of glucose. This demonstrates that honey can improve performance during physical activities.

For athletes, honey is a good supply of glucose. Slow-burning sugar is better for sustaining energy during athletic activity. Honey is one of the greatest alternatives because it slowly distributes sugar into the bloodstream.

17.   Has Anti-Cancer Effects:

Honey's anticancer activity has been evaluated against a variety of tissues and cancer cell lines, including colorectal, breast, endometrial, prostate, renal, oral, and cervical cancer. Honey contains polyphenols, which are important contributors in its antioxidant and anticancer action. Honey has an anticancer effect through interfering with complex cell-signaling pathways, such as stimulating anti-mutagenic, apoptosis, anti-inflammatory, and anti-proliferative pathways.

18.   Boosts Immune System:

Honey's antioxidant effects, as well as its antibacterial and antifungal characteristics, are attributed to phytonutrients. They are also thought to be responsible for raw honey's immune-boosting and anticancer properties. Honey contains a sugar called nigerooligosaccharides, which has been shown to have immunostimulant properties.

Honey has also been shown in tissue culture to stimulate the formation of T and B lymphocytes, antibodies, eosinophils, neutrophils, monocytes, and natural killer cells during primary and secondary immunological reactions.

19.   Good For Brain Health:

Research indicates that polyphenol compounds in honey, like apigenin, caffeic acid, chrysin, ellagic acid, and quercetin, promote a healthy nervous system, which might boost memory and mood. It is high in antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals, all of which help to nourish your brain. Honey may have antidepressant or anti-anxiety properties.

TUALANG HONEY is a unique and valuable honey made by a specific huge honey bee called "Apis Dorsata" that is only found in Southeast Asia's tropical rainforest. Tualang honey may increase learning and memory by significantly improving brain morphology and enhancing the brain cholinergic system, which may be secondary to a reduction in brain oxidative damage. Tualang honey can also prevent the activation of neuroinflammatory and microglial cells.

20.   Good For Skin:

Honey is beneficial to the skin because it contains potent substances that promote healing and reduce inflammation. Honey moisturizes and hydrates the skin, reduces the signs of premature aging, a gentle exfoliator and efficient pore cleaner, lightens or diminishes the freckles and pigmentation, helps in controlling acne, treats or benefits sunburn.

21.       Honey, Ginger and Lemon Tea:

Ginger, honey, and lemon tea are frequently used to treat sinus and flu infections. All these substances have strong anti-inflammatory properties. The lemon contains powerful digestive substances, while ginger stimulates digestion. It has a natural scraping effect on the intestines, cleaning away the toxic substances that have accumulated.

This combination also boosts the Immune System.

It can alleviate the vomiting associated with pregnancy and chemotherapy, which is a welcome comfort.

Drinking lemon ginger honey tea on a regular basis can help to reduce kidney damage caused by diabetes. Ginger has a substantial amount of zinc, which plays an important role in the production and reduction of insulin. Insulin regulates blood glucose levels and keeps diabetes at bay.

 

Ginger extracts are high in antioxidants. Lemon, which is high in vitamin C, is known for its anti-aging properties, but honey's anti-bacterial and antiseptic properties make it skin friendly. As a result, the high nutrient content of ginger, lemon, and honey, combined with their diverse cancer prevention agents, make this combination an excellent choice for enhancing skin wellness.

Lemon and ginger have anti-inflammatory properties that keep inflammation at bay while also improving liver function, thereby helping in weight loss. Furthermore, the aroma of honey reduces stress and increases metabolism, allowing your body organs to perform properly and helping in weight loss.

Because of the numerous benefits of ginger, lemon, and honey tea, it is appropriate for people of all ages to enjoy in moderate and balanced amounts. Not only does this tea provide health benefits, but it can also improve your hair and skin.

What is the Best Time to Take Honey:

Doctors typically advise taking honey on an empty stomach early in the morning since it provides an instant boost in energy levels that are sufficient to last the entire day. A tablespoon of honey before bedtime not only provides a good night's sleep but also assists in digestion and relaxes the mind and body.

Culinary Uses of Honey:

Honey is well-known as the "queen bee" of sweeteners, but it's much more than a tasty accompaniment to a cup of afternoon tea or a coating on your morning muffin.

1.       Making Cocktails:

Honey tastes fantastic in a variety of beverages, not just hot ones. Honey is a must-have for your home bar, and it can take your cocktail game to the next level. Pour it into a shaker for cold cocktails to ensure that the honey is equally dispersed throughout the drink. If you simply stir it into a cold beverage, it will sink to the bottom of the glass. Start looking into honey cocktail recipes and you might discover your new favorite drink.

2.       Can Be Added in Dressings and Different Sauces:

If your sauce or salad dressing is lacking in flavor, try adding some honey to it. Honey will add a sweet tone without the downsides of sugar, helping to balance out more sour or bitter elements like vinegar. To uniformly spread the honey, shake the dressing vigorously shortly before serving. You can heat sauces slightly to fully melt the raw honey and blend it in with the remaining portions of the ingredients.

 

1.       Use Honey to roast vegetables:

Honey may be used to cook more than just meat; it can also be used to roast vegetables and fruit. Honey will intensify the sweetness from roasting, which occurs when the heat of the oven causes the natural sugars in the product to caramelize. If you want to amplify the flavor even more, drizzle the vegetables with both olive oil and honey before roasting. This will make them the star of your meal rather than a side dish.

2.       Incorporate Honey in a marinade or glaze:

To improve your roasting or grilling experience, consider adding flavored honey into your next homemade glaze or marinade. Honey is also an excellent addition to marinades for non-meat proteins such as tempeh and tofu. Because most marinades are made with cold ingredients, whisk it thoroughly to ensure that the honey is properly distributed. You don't want honey lumps in certain regions and none in others of the marinade.

3.       Combination With Cheese:

Consider serving your next cheese board with honey dipping sauce. The honey's sweetness complements the salty, peppery flavors of cheese and cured meats well. (This is also why honey is a great topping for plain Greek yoghurt.) You can sprinkle the honey directly over the cheese and meats or serve it in a separate dipping bowl for visitors to add to their liking.

4.       Used For Baking Purposes:

Honey is not only the star ingredient in many baking recipes, but it canalso be used to replace both white and brown sugar. Because honey is sweeter than sugar, use less of it. For each cup of sugar, you only need half to two-thirds of a cup of honey. You should also cut the other liquids in the recipe in half for every cup of honey you use. This is because honey includes water. If the other liquids are not reduced, the batter will be unstable, and the cooking time will be inaccurate. 

1.       Honey With Seeds:

Adding seeds to honey is not only satisfying but also quite versatile. It can add a delicious crunch to a traditional peanut butter sandwich or a sophisticated goat cheese crostino. To make seeded honey, simply toast your favorite seeds (sesame, flax, poppy, sunflower), combine with some scrumptious honey, and begin dripping.

2.       Honey Can Sweeten Lollipops and Throat Lozenges:

Honey lollipops and lozenges are not only delicious, but they may additionally soothe throats naturally.

3.       Creamed Honey:

Creamed honey, also known as whipped, spun, or churned honey, is an easy to prepare thick, rich, creamy spread for toast, breakfast pancakes, cupcakes, and other baked goods. It only takes a one-to-one ratio of liquid honey and crystallized honey mixed in a blender until the crystals dissolve.

4.       WhippedHoney with Butter:

Honey, salted butter, and powdered sugar are generally combined in this butter to create a fluffy, sweet delicacy that's amazing on fresh rolls or biscuits.

5.       Use of Honey for making Ice Cream:

The delicious Lavender and Honey Ice Cream elevates your next batch of homemade ice cream by combining the natural benefits of honey with a delicate floral flavor for the ultimate enjoyment.

6.       Glazed Pretzels:

Do you have a sweet tooth? Try covering plain pretzels in honey and storing them in the fridge overnight. This is just one of the honey usages that everyone should be familiar with.

7.       Add Honey to Fresh Corn:

When summer arrives, there will only be one savory food that we will seek. Fresh corn is a delicious staple, but there are also a few ways to make it even better. Boil the corn, then combine equal parts melted butter and honey to make a snack that's as tasty as it is addictive.

8.       Honey Coleslaw:

Coleslaw may be the last thing that comes to mind when you think of the numerous uses for honey. However, you should give it a shot because it works quite well.

Safety:

Honey is probably safe to use as a natural sweetener, cough suppressant, and topical treatment for minor wounds and blisters.

Because Honey is a type of sugar, it should be consumed in moderation. The American Heart Association (AHA) recommends that women consume no more than 100 calories per day and men consume no more than 150 calories per day from added sugars. This is around 6 teaspoons for women and 9 teaspoons for men.

Do not give honey to babies under the age of one year, even in small amounts. Honey can cause newborn botulism, an uncommon but serious gastrointestinal illness caused by Clostridium botulinum spores. Bacteria from the spores can spread and thrive in the intestines of a baby, producing a lethal toxin.

Botulism poisoning in babies can cause the following symptoms: constipation, slow breathing, sagging eyelids, lack of gagging, loss of head control, paralysis that progresses downhill, poor feeding, lethargy, and a faint scream.

Certain components of honey, notably bee pollen, induce hypersensitivity or allergies in certain individuals. Although uncommon, bee pollen allergies can have catastrophic, and occasionally fatal, consequences.

Honey is not commonly associated with allergies. Case studies of anaphylaxis triggered by honey, on the other hand, have been described. Anaphylaxis caused by honey ingestion is an IgE-mediated reaction (a real food allergy).

Storage and Safety of Honey:

To avoid crystallization and color/aroma changes, store raw and processed honey below 32 degrees Fahrenheit. Honey is inherently antibacterial; however, it should be kept away from moisture.

The standard suggestion for honey shelf life is two years, but this can vary. Airtight, sanitized containers aid in the preservation of honey's shelf life and safety.