You may know Dr. Mark Holcomb as your go-to direct primary care physician, but did you know that he so happens to be a beekeeper and local producer of raw honey? Dr. Mark has a passion for people, but also a passion to provide people with healthy and nutritionally beneficial options for their diet. Raw honey has a long medicinal history with a laundry list of health benefits. To preserve all those nutritional properties, raw honey is kept as pure as possible by only going through a filtration process to remove impurities like beeswax or dead bees. Honey also has an incredibly long shelf life—according to National Geographic, 3,000 year old pots of honey have been found in Egyptian tombs that were still edible.
Before diving into the amazing facts about raw honey, it should be noted that honey should not be given to or consumed by infants younger than 1 year old.
Raw honey is full of wonderful properties that have been noted throughout time. Studies have shown that it has some antibacterial and antifungal properties. Naturally occurring hydrogen peroxide and glucose oxidase tied in with a low pH level means that it can help kill unwanted bacteria and fungus. There have even been cases where raw honey has been used to help accelerate wound healing and inflammation.
It might be sweet and delicious, but raw honey is packed with nutrients that can make it a welcome addition to your daily diet. It’s primarily a healthy source of energy thanks to its fructose and glucose content, and has shown to be a far healthier option compared to other sugars. Unlike other sugars, raw honey can improve one’s cholesterol level and help manage a healthier weight.
Bee pollen found in raw honey has been linked to fighting off infections, boosting overall immunity, and providing naturally occurring allergy relief. With bees collecting nectar locally, the same pollens that irritate allergies are what are being used in the honey we consume. After consuming locally produced raw honey for a period of time, an individual may become less sensitive to the pollen and experience less symptoms during allergy season.
With so many ways to use and enjoy raw honey, it’s incredibly easy to add into your diet. No wonder Dr. Mark is passionate about bees.