"Unheated honey contains and insulin-like substance that is produced by the bees when collecting nectar. That insulin-like substance converts90% of the carbohydrate in nectar into enzymes that help digest, assimilate and utilize protein......The insulin like substance begins detrimental alteration at 93 degrees F (33 C) and is destroyed at 100 degrees F (37 C). Diabetics, hypoglycemics and some infants cannot utilize honey if the insulin-like substance is destroyed. Honey that is heated above 104 degrees F (39 C) is radical sugar that often causes slow deterioration of membranes in the body. Honey heated above 104 degrees F (39 C) may cause toxicity in some infants."
Some hits i came across :
This study seems to support aajonus
Serum glucose levels after 2 hours and the area under the curve for glucose were significantly lower (P = .041) after royal jelly administration.
Substances originating from the pharyngeal glands of the honey bee with insulin-like activity are likely to have caused this effect and may thus be, at least partially, responsible for the lowering impact of honey on blood glucose levels.
The identification of the substances that seem to act even after passage through the human stomach could lead to the development of new concepts in diabetology.
“Honey is an ideal builder of glycogen stores because its sugar is composed of a 1:1 ratio of glucose to fructose. The fructose unlocks the proper enzymes in the liver to allow the glucose to store as glycogen. This can profoundly increase recovery time as well as provide an ideal pre race fuel. Furthermore there has been research done with athletes to ascertain if honey could be used as an ergogenic aid (athletic performance aid). The athletes who consumed protein shakes with honey had more stable blood sugar, glycogen restoration, faster recovery, and more sustained energy than the group who consumed sugar or maltodextrin with protein shakes.” Some good food for thought indeed.
I did a little more research online and found that athletes during the ancient Olympics, ate special foods, such as honey and dried figs, to enhance their performance. Further explanation how honey is able to provide a superior carbohydrate source while maintaining optimal blood sugar levels can be found here."
Another hit :
Honey contains mostly glucose and fructose i.e. sugars which can be metabolized with little insulin secretion, so that honey contains a low glycaemic index similar to fruit and vegetables. This means that the blood glucose level only rises slightly, but giving enough energy for the functioning of the organism. This even has positive effects on the fat metabolism. Surprisingly the acetylcholine contained in honey could be given a special meaning: as a physiological transmitter of the parasympathetic heart muscle cells it would be thought possible that a change in the heartbeat could lead to an economizing of the heart’s effort.
In recent times research for the causes of Alzheimer’s Disease have gained in importance. It is assumed that a deficiency in acetylcholine is the cause. This substance is of added importance for this condition.
In summary honey contains the following: vitamins of the B-group (B1 thiamin, B2 riboflavin, B3 nicotinamide, B5 pantothenic acid, B6 pyridoxine, B9 folic acid), and vitamin C, in addition many minerals such as iron and trace elements. It can understandably be speculated that an improved erythrocyte production may take place. Further minerals are calcium, potassium, chlorine, sodium, copper, magnesium, manganese, phosphorus, silicon, sulphur and to a lesser degree, organic acids and an estrogen-like substance which has not yet been further characterized.
On Wounds ....
"One study in India compared the wound healing effects of honey to a conventional treatment (silver sulfadiazene) in 104 first-degree burn patients. After one week of treatment, 91 percent of honey treated burns were infection free compared with only 7 percent receiving the conventional treatment. Finally, a greater percentage of patients' burns were healed more readily in the honey treated group.
Another study examined the wound healing benefits of honey applied topically to patients following Caesarean section and hysterectomy. Compared to the group receiving the standard solution of iodine and alcohol, the honey treated group was infection free in fewer days, healed more cleanly and had a reduced hospital stay."
. One laboratory study of unpasteurized honey samples indicated the majority had antibacterial action against Staphylococcus aureus, a common bacteria found readily in our environment that can cause infections, especially in open wounds.
Other reports indicate honey is effective at inhibiting Escherichia coli and Candida albicans.
Darker honeys, specifically honey from buckwheat flowers, sage and tupelo, contain a greater amount of antioxidants than other honeys, and raw, unprocessed honey contains the widest variety of health-supportive substances.
Damn honey rocks ...
