Honey, a natural sweetener with many health benefits
According to Dr. Anya Guy, a nutritionist at the Mayo Clinic (USA), honey is not only a sweetener but also a source of valuable micronutrients such as vitamins B, C, magnesium, phosphorus and zinc - ingredients that are completely absent from white sugar. Honey not only enhances flavor but can also support the heart, fight inflammation and slow down the aging process, says Anya Guy.
Another plus point of honey is its ability to provide antioxidants, especially high in dark or unprocessed honey (raw honey). These are substances that help the body fight cell damage and strengthen the immune system.
However, honey also contains higher calories than sugar - about 64 calories per tablespoon, compared to 45 calories in white sugar. Because it is sweeter than sugar, less honey can be used to achieve the same sweetness, helping to control calories.
Not only does it create sweetness, honey is also applied in the medical field. Some studies show that honey - especially Manuka honey - has the ability to help heal wounds, fight infections and help improve respiratory symptoms in children such as night cough or cold. In Nigeria, scientists at Ibadan University also discovered that citrus honey helps to detoxify alcohol faster, supporting the liver to metabolize alcohol more effectively.
dosage used
Despite its many benefits, both honey and sugar contain natural or refined sugars, which can easily lead to weight gain, increasing the risk of diabetes and heart disease if consumed in excess. Experts recommend that the amount of added sugar per day should be limited to less than 25g for women and less than 36g for men. In particular, it is important to note that honey should not be given to children under 1 year old because it is at risk of poisoning.
In short, if you need to choose a healthier sweetener, honey is a good suggestion. But no matter what you use, remember that health comes from moderation, not just in choosing the right one, but also in knowing the stopping point.
