The properties of honey

Honey equals energy.  Honey is a very good source of carbohydrates.  It provides 17 grams of carbohydrates – the main fuel that the body utilizes for energy - for every tablespoonful, thus it is one of the best foods that you can take to provide energy for your active muscles.  Carbohydrates are also essential in maintaining the proper levels of glycogen in the muscles which in turn are needed to keep muscles energized.

Honey is great as a pre-workout or pre-exercise food.  Eating honey prior to starting an exercise routine or any athletic activity will help provide fuel for the body to burn.  Furthermore, when honey is eaten before physical activity, it is digested easily by the body and it is released into the muscle systems at a steady rate so as to provide a continuous source of energy for the muscles.

Honey is also great as a booster snack during the workout itself or during an event such as a long distance run or bike ride.  There have been studies made that showed that getting carbohydrates from honey during a workout helps to improve the body’s performance during endurance activities by delaying the onset of fatigue and by keeping the muscles nourished for a longer period of time.  In the research of these studies, it was found that taking honey during athletic activity produced a significant increase in the power levels of the athletes resulting in faster completions and reduced times.  The research also found that honey provided results that were similar to results achieved with the use of glucose – the most popular supplement used to increase carbohydrate intake.

Honey also works well for post-workout recovery.  Having some honey after an exercise session or a competitive game helps decrease the soreness of the body and the muscles.  It also helps the body refuel and get back to its normal levels a lot faster.  It helps the muscles recuperate from the intensity of the workout and it refills these muscles with glycogen.  It is also great as a partner for other post workout supplements such as protein bars and protein shakes.  Additionally, honey also helps the body to restore the sugar concentrations in the blood which have been depleted during the workout.

Other properties of honey include moisturizing properties, antibacterial properties, and antioxidant properties. 

Honey has very good moisturizing properties because it is hygroscopic in nature.  This means that honey actually absorbs moisture from the air and keeps it in.  The moisturizing properties of honey make it very ideal for keeping the skin hydrated and preventing it from drying and peeling.  It also makes honey very useful in treating and dressing wounds.

As an antibacterial, honey is very effective in prohibiting the proliferation of certain bacteria.  This is due to the presence of some enzymes in honey that produce and contain hydrogen peroxide.  Thus, honey can be used for treating minor skin imperfections such as mild acne and light burns. 

The antioxidant properties of honey allow it to eliminate and destroy the free radicals that are present in the body.  These properties also help in making honey very helpful in promoting the growth of new muscle tissues.

With all these properties of honey, there is no doubt that honey is a great choice for an easy and delicious sports food.