Benefits of Honey

HONEY,
originally uploaded by chrissie2003.

By: Ruth Tan

Many people often ask "Why is honey good for you?", "Is this sweetener really more superior than table sugar?". The answer is a clear "Yes!"

1) It is nutritious for you!: A much healthier choice than over-processed, factory-made table sugar table sugar and artificial sweeteners which do not have any vitamins or whatsoever nutrients, this natural liquid from the honey bees contains many vitamins like B6, thiamin, niacin, riboflavin, pantothenic acid and certain amino acids and minerals including calcium, copper, iron, magnesium, manganese, phosphorus, potassium, sodium and zinc.

2) It is a healthy food choice!: Honey has a healthy Glycemic Index (GI) , meaning that its sugars can be gradually absorbed into the bloodstream to result in better digestion. Eating excessive high-glycemic foods prompts an elevated insulin release in our body as a result of the pancreas being stimulated to metabolize the sudden surge of glucose into the blood.

3) It builds your immunity against sicknesses!: Honey contains natural antioxidant properties that can destroy biologically destructive chemical agents which have been linked to many diseases such as cancer. Not only can honey's antioxidants help to reduce free radicals in the body, they also provide nutrients for the development of new tissue. Because of this, for centuries, honey has been used all over the world in different cultures as a natural cure for many ailments, and traditionally as an effective home remedy, for instance the honey and apple cider vinegar tonic which is used for treating arthritis and bad breath.

4) It energizes you!: This perhaps is the most common reply kids get from their parents when they ask "why is honey good for you?" An excellent natural supply of carbohydrates which provide strength and energy for our bodies, honey is popularly used for its effectiveness in quickly boosting the performance, endurance and relieve muscle fatigue of athletes. Its natural fruit sugars, fructose and glucose plays an important role in preventing fatigue during exercise and are quickly absorbed into the bloodstream digested by the body. Also, honey is free of cholesterol and it has been reported that adding small amounts of it in the daily diet could even help keep cholesterol levels in check.

5) It beautifies you!: This anti-aging benefit of honey is probably the best reply to "Why is honey good for you?" There exist a huge number of honey products in the market for hair care, baby care, skin care for sunscreen, hand lotions, facial scrubs and moisturizers. Honey's hygroscopic properties also renders it a great cosmetic ingredient as it keeps skin hydrated and fresh and prevents drying. Its natural antioxidant and anti-microbial properties also support the skin's ability to rejuvenate and refresh depleted skin, leaving it feeling silky soft and supple.

Copyright (c) 2008 Ruth Tan
Ruth Tan is the owner of the website Benefits of Honey at http://www.benefits-of-honey.com which is a rich honey resource packed with a wide range of quality contents on honey and health-related issues.

How Healthy Are You

tai chi in beijing parc,
originally uploaded by sjeele.

By: John Callaghan

WELL BEING AND HOW TO RECOGNISE IT!

It seems to me that most individuals are preoccupied with ill health rather than with well being, it appears that our predilection is towards ill health rather than towards health.

Practitioners of Tai Chi Qigong however put their emphasis upon taking responsibility for our health and understanding what well-being means, this means being aware of what good health consist of.

At the foundation level lifestyles that lead to good health include eating organic whole food in season, exercise, adequate sleep, healthy environment, and adequate intake of water, but there is much more to well-being than this.

So what are the signs of good health, to the harmony of body, mind and spirit?

PHYSICAL

a. A continued feeling of well being, from rising in the morning to retiring in the evening;

b. How quick is your recovery rate, how adaptable are you to change? The quicker you recover the healthier you are;

c. Are feelings of lethargy a distant memory, if they are then you are healthy;

d. Are all our joints, muscles, tendons and ligaments supple and flexible, free from pain, if so then you are healthy;

e. Can you walk, run, sustain some physical exercise for a while for a while, without being out of breath, then you are in good health;

f. Is the flesh on your skin firm, free of wrinkles, healthy tissue is firm tissue;

g. Does your sense of sight, smell, hearing remain acute, then you are healthy;

h. When you retire do you go to sleep when your head touches the pillow, to relax and fall asleep is a sign of good health;

EMOTIONAL

a. Once more the recovery rate is important, if you are injured emotionally how quickly you return to an optimistic outlook reflects your emotional health;

b. How quickly can you forgive yourself, a healthy individual learns from their mistakes, and moves on;

c. How able are you to socialize, and accepting of those with whom you come into contact, without judging, the less you judge the more emotionally balanced you are;

d. Are you able to commit to the things that you consider to be important in your life, commitment without obsession is a sign of good mental health;

e. How happy are you with the idea of the security of insecurity, the ability to embrace life from moment to moment is an indication of good emotional well being;

f. Do you express your joy and delight with life on a daily basis, can you express your frustration and anger in a positive manner that supports your ability to be tolerant of all;

g. Can you laugh and smile freely, for this is a sign of the love of life;

h. Are you happy? For happiness is the definition of radiant well being;

i. Are you accepting of yourself, with all your strengths and weaknesses? Good mental health is found in the person who accepts their truth, being highly critical of oneself or others is indicative of conflict within ourselves;

How healthy are you?

Where do you stand in the well being stakes?

Healthy individuals have the capacity to rise above their own self-importance and become filled with love and compassion towards all creation.