Honey water: useful properties and contraindications
Honey is a unique raw material, which appears thanks to the tireless work of bees. Thanks to this product, it is possible to maintain not only beauty and health at the proper level, but also to treat a large number of diseases. This is due to the fact that honey contains a huge number of useful components. In order to properly dose the amount of vitamins entering the body, you need to dissolve honey in water. It is worth noting that the result is a delicious, as well as healthy drink.
- Composition and calories
- What is the usefulness of water with honey on an empty stomach
- General benefits
- For Women
- For Men
- Pregnancy
- Breastfeeding
- For children
- Slimming
- Is night-time honey water useful?
- Honey Water Treatment
- For Parasites
- Gastritis
- For pancreatitis
- For Diabetes
- For Liver
- For Eyes
- Chronic rhinitis
- Skin Diseases
- Chronic Bronchitis treatment
- Honey Water Cosmetic Applications
- For Face
- For Hair
- Hand skin care
- Harm and Contraindications
- How to Prepare Honey Water
- How to drink honey water correctly
- How much you can drink.
- Warm or cold to drink.
- Recipes for honey water with various additives
- With Honey and Lemon
- Honey Water with Cinnamon
- With Honey and Apple Cider Vinegar
- Honey Water with Garlic
- With Honey and Ginger
- Dibrova" Drink
- Sbiten" Drink
Composition and calories
The composition of honey is quite simple. It contains the following components:
- water - 20%;
- carbohydrates - 78%;
- other components - 2%.
Carbohydrates include simple sugars such as fructose and glucose. The peculiarity of these substances is an easy degree of assimilation. Smaller amounts of carbohydrates are represented by sucrose, trisaccharides, and maltose. Thanks to these listed components, honey has a rich sweet taste.
Other ingredients are vitamin C and B vitamins. In addition, honey also contains trace elements: phosphorus, iron, potassium and sodium. But these components are very small. When dissolving the product in a cold liquid, the chemical composition remains the same, but the number of components decreases significantly.
As a result of numerous studies, it has been proved that the properties of the honey elixir are similar to the plasma. The drink is fully absorbed by the body, being absorbed into the blood and further penetrating into the lymph.
All active substances present in honey are fully absorbed by the body. This indicates that as soon as 15 minutes after taking it, the work of the body begins. So that nothing prevents the honey water to penetrate to the farthest corners of the body, it is important to consume it before the first meal.
The caloric value of honey is quite high, so it is not always possible to consume it correctly during the diet. Here you will need an accurate calculation, taking into account the volume and calories. In 100 grams of honey there are 300-450 kcal. The maximum caloric value is shown in woody varieties of honey, and the minimum - in floral or motley grass varieties.
What is the benefit of water with honey on an empty stomach
General benefits
The most important property of the drink - in the beneficial effect on the digestive system and intestines. It creates an environment impossible for normal life of parasites, bacteria and fungi. Regular intake of the drink will lead to a cleansing of the gastrointestinal tract.
It is also worth considering that honey dissolves stagnant stools due to the presence of pathogenic flora in the intestines, leading to dysbacteriosis. The drink promotes the recovery of the large intestine, restoring its work and cleansing the lymph of toxins.
For women
For the fair sex, water with honey can be a wonderful preventive measure from many diseases. What are its benefits for the individual systems of the body:
- Strengthening the immune system. That is why it is recommended to take the honey elixir in winter colds for preventive purposes.
- Normalization of the work of the gastrointestinal tract. As a result of regular consumption of the drink, the work of not only the digestive system, but also the gastrointestinal tract as a whole is normalized.
- Prevention of diseases of the cardiovascular system. This is due to the fact that honey water reduces the load on the heart muscle, reduces cholesterol levels, increases the elasticity of the walls of blood vessels.
- Beneficial effect on the central nervous system. Therefore, regular intake of the drink is recommended for nervous shocks, as well as for the prevention of depression.
- Stimulation of brain activity.
- Positive effects for the oral cavity and the fight against diseases of the upper respiratory tract.
The positive characteristics of honey water apply to adults who do not have serious diseases.
For men.
All of the above beneficial properties of honey water apply not only to women, but also to men. In addition, the drink fills the whole body with energy and helps in recovering strength after serious physical exertion. The same applies to active mental activity.
Men are also recommended to take water with honey on an empty stomach for some diseases of the genital system: impaired potency, prostatitis, prostatic hyperplasia. In addition, the drink improves the condition of the sperm.
When pregnant
Pregnant women are recommended to consume water with honey in the morning on an empty stomach, but only if there are no contraindications for this. Therefore, before starting to take it, it is worth seeing a doctor for consultation.
In the early stages of pregnancy, honey water helps to cope with toxicity, because thanks to the vitamins and minerals that enter the body with the drink, nausea attacks are suppressed. In order to eliminate the manifestation of toxicity, from the beginning of pregnancy, it is worth every morning to drink a glass of purified water with 1 teaspoon of natural honey.
Honey has an excellent effect on the fragile nervous system of a pregnant woman, toning the body and normalizing sleep.
You can consume honey water regularly even at a late term, but only if there is no negative reaction. The drink saturates the body with the most useful components.
Also, the bee product helps to increase hemoglobin. This will not only treat, but also prevent the appearance of iron deficiency anemia.
Typical for pregnant women bloating can also be treated with honey water. Thanks to the daily use, the level of gas formation in the intestines, which constantly delivers discomfort, is reduced.
When breastfeeding.
Receiving honey during lactation is allowed only when the child reaches the age of three months. But even at this time, you need to gradually introduce the product into the diet, watching the reaction of the baby. If no allergic symptoms are observed, it is possible to increase the dose little by little.
For kids
Children can benefit from drinking water with honey, but only if there is no allergic reaction to the individual components of the product. Introduce the drink to the diet gradually, watching the condition. It is important to remember that this should be done only when the child is three years old.
When losing weight
It is believed that taking water with honey on an empty stomach improves the metabolism, which leads to weight loss. But this is not all the positive effects of the drink:
- elimination of constipation;
- accelerating the loss of extra pounds;
- improvement of digestion;
- Improving the functioning of the colon;
- purification of the lymphatic system.
In addition to the above characteristics, the drink accelerates and improves the process of dissolving fats, metabolism. That is why all the products that enter the body during the day will be digested much faster.
Is honey water useful at bedtime
Taking honey at night reduces swelling, so for those who suffer from puffiness under the eyes in the morning, it is recommended to drink honey water before going to bed. Evening intake of the drink is also recommended for people who suffer from irritable bowel syndrome, irregular stools and morning constipation.
The product is known to have the ability to retain fluid, so it should be consumed at night to relieve the bladder and kidneys. It is especially suitable for children who suffer from nocturnal urinary incontinence.
In addition, honey helps to cope with insomnia. This folk sedative does not cause addictive or side effects, so it is used for such purposes not only for adults, but also for children.
People who work a lot, are under constant stress and often become hostages of gratuitous concern, anxiety and confusion. In order to overcome this condition, it is recommended to drink honey water at night. This will fill the body with energy and strength.
To prepare a drink with honey is often used not only purified water, but also decoction based on mint or chamomile. You can supplement the drink with half a lemon, which will contribute to the effective restoration of vitality.
Honey water treatment
Before proceeding to the treatment, it is important to make sure that there is no allergic reaction to the components of the drink, and there are no contraindications. Otherwise, you can harm your health. In addition, you can not combine water treatment with medications without the recommendations of a specialist.
From parasites
You can get rid of worms in the following way: take honey water every day, morning and evening. The constituents of honey create unfavorable conditions for the activity of these parasites, as well as their larvae and eggs.
At the same time, the drink gives a slight laxative effect, which will not be superfluous for the body. For improved results, add 1 teaspoon of honey to 200 ml of purified water. The drink should be consumed in the morning and evening.
With gastritis
Water with honey is also used to eliminate the annoying and unpleasant nausea or heartburn resulting from gastritis or other diseases of the stomach. The treatment of gastritis with honey water is as follows: drink the solution on an empty stomach 1.5 hours before eating and at night 3 hours after eating.
Such treatment can fight the following symptoms of gastritis or peptic ulcer disease:
- Thinning of mucus;
- elimination of pain;
- normalization of acidity.
In pancreatitis.
Pancreatic diseases need to exclude sugar from the diet. Honey in this case is an excellent substitute for all sweeteners, because it is fully processed by the body.
Honey participates in the synthesis of hemoglobin, transporting useful components to the body's cells. Thanks to its manganese content, it takes part in the process of cell growth. And B vitamins prevent the formation of blood clots and strengthen blood vessels.
When you have diabetes
In case of diabetes, water with honey can not always be beneficial. It depends on the characteristics and type of the disease. In type 1 diabetes, honey is strictly forbidden to use. Type 2 diabetes allows the daily intake of honey in strictly moderate amounts. A day is allowed to consume no more than 1 tablespoon of the product.
Honey water as a result of regular use significantly reduces blood pressure and normalizes the level of glycohemoglobin.
For the liver
For the liver, water with honey becomes an excellent active stimulant, favorably affecting all the processes occurring in the organ. The liver, being under the burden of carcinogens and toxins, gladly accepts the useful composition of honey and begins to gradually recover. In addition, the drink, thanks to the ability to normalize the acid-alkaline balance, prepares the glands of internal secretion for cleaning.
For Eyes
The constant presence of modern man in front of a computer monitor often leads to visual impairment. To restore and relieve stress, it is recommended to drink honey water on an empty stomach daily.
In case of such troubles as corneal ulcer or conjunctivitis, you can prepare honey water. To do this, you need to mix 100 ml of purified filtered water with 1 teaspoon of natural light honey. The resulting homogeneous composition should be dripped 2 drops in each eye twice a day. Use a dropper for this.
Prepared honey drops are excellent for dealing with irritation and eye fatigue. The same solution is used to moisten cotton pads which should be placed on the eyes and lie quietly for 10 minutes. Such a procedure will help in the fight against puffy eyes. In addition, the product will tighten fine lines.
If you have a chronic runny nose.
Due to the reproduction of pathogenic bacteria in the maxillary sinuses, an inflammatory process begins. To treat it is necessary to add crushed ginger root or freshly squeezed lemon juice to the honey water. Take the resulting drink before going to bed after dinner. With regular intake, the inflammatory process will be stopped, and mucus will begin to liquefy and excrete.
Skin diseases
Honey water helps to cope with pimples and other skin rashes. To do this, soak a cotton pad in water and honey and apply to the affected areas before going to bed. Rinse the composition from the skin only in the morning.
Also for treatment, in addition to external use, you should take honey water in the morning on an empty stomach, prepared according to the classic recipe. The effect of receiving it will be possible to observe after 2 weeks.
In the fight against eczema will help honey water, supplemented with crushed garlic cloves. The resulting composition should be applied to the affected areas and leave for the night.
Treatment of chronic bronchitis
Thanks to the honey elixir, it is also possible to treat a chronic cough. For this purpose, you need to add crushed cinnamon and ginger to the drink and take the remedy daily before going to bed, preheating a little. This will contribute to the expulsion of sputum.
The treatment should be continued until the disappearance of all symptoms. After you can take a break for 3 weeks, and then resume taking the drink for another 3 weeks for prevention.
Honey water application in cosmetology
Since ancient times the unique properties of honey are known, that's why women used and still use it for skin and face care products.
Before you start doing cosmetic procedures at home, there is a logical question about what kind of honey is best to use for the preparation of funds. Many studies have proven that polyfloral bee product is ideal for this purpose. It is extracted by bees from a wide variety of trees, shrubs and herbs. This product contains a huge stock of different vitamins and has antimicrobial properties.
For the face
The use of honey water is acceptable for any skin type. But it has the greatest effect for problem skin prone to various rashes. This will require daily washings. In addition, this procedure contributes to smoothing wrinkles, tightening pores, improving skin color. Wash with the mixture twice a day: in the morning immediately after bedtime and in the evening just before going to bed.
Preparation of honey water for washing consists of the following steps:
- Prepare 400 ml of purified water and 1 tablespoon of honey.
- Dissolve the sweet product in water.
It is worth paying attention to the quality of the water used. It is desirable to use raw and filtered water of high quality. If the liquid is doubtful, it can be boiled and cooled. It is strictly forbidden to dilute honey in hot water, because all the useful components will be lost.
For the procedure, it is desirable to use a freshly prepared solution. For convenience, you can wipe your face with a cotton pad soaked in the prepared liquid.
It is important to know that honey washes are strictly prohibited to people with dilated blood vessels on the face.
Consider a few more popular recipes used in home cosmetology:
- To combat age spots and fine wrinkles, you need to dissolve 1 teaspoon of natural honey in a glass of warm water. Wash your face with the prepared mixture for 7 days.
- To narrow pores and moisturize the skin, prepare a decoction based on chamomile and calendula. Dissolve 1 teaspoon of honey in a glass of broth. Face steamed and apply the resulting composition.
- To normalize the balance of the skin, dissolve 1 teaspoon of natural honey in mineral water. Wash your face every day with the obtained remedy, also using special face soaps.
- For problem or oily skin, prepare a composition for which you need to add 1 teaspoon of fresh lemon juice and natural honey to 1 cup of purified water. Thoroughly mix the remedy and apply daily to the face, using a cotton pad. The first result will be noticeable in a week.
- To give your skin elasticity you can use a tincture based on juniper berries with the addition of natural honey and orange juice. For its preparation you should mix equal amounts of orange juice and honey, and then dilute it with the tincture. Apply to cleansed skin twice a day.
For hair
Bee product is also successfully used in hair care. Such sweet masks promote hair growth, give it shine and eliminate problems with hair loss. In addition, the use of water with honey will significantly strengthen the curls, returning them to their natural strength.
Use this homemade mask no more than twice a week. To prepare it you need:
- Boil 1 litre of water and then cool to a temperature of 40°C.
- Add 2 tablespoons of honey and stir thoroughly until it dissolves.
Prepared liquid should be applied to the entire length of the hair strands and rub the composition into the roots. After use, you can not dry your hair with a hair dryer, it must dry naturally.
Not a bad way to cope with the problem of hair loss and shampoo, prepared on the basis of honey. To prepare it and apply the following steps:
- Prepare a clean container.
- Pour into it 200 ml of water and 2 teaspoons of honey.
- Thoroughly mix until the composition dissolves with a wooden or plastic spoon.
- Apply the resulting composition to all the hair and additionally rub the composition into the roots with massaging movements for 2 minutes.
- Rinse the composition from the curls with warm water.
- Allow time for complete self-drying.
After such treatment the hair becomes soft, smooth and manageable.
Hand skin care
The skin of the hands also needs rejuvenation. Honey water is also very effective here. To make a remedy, you should mix in one container 100 ml of purified water, 1 teaspoon of ammonia, 2 teaspoons of glycerin and 1 teaspoon of natural honey. Mix all the ingredients well. Apply the resulting composition on the skin of the hands, put on special cotton gloves and leave so for 15-20 minutes. Thanks to this procedure softens and whitens the skin, removes peeling and dryness. The procedure is carried out at least once a week.
Health & Contraindications
Despite the fact that honey water is famous for its beneficial properties, it happens that it can cause significant harm to health. Do not use the drink or wash your face with it in the following cases:
- Allergic manifestations to honey;
- heart failure;
- serious diseases of the gastrointestinal tract;
- Diabetes without a doctor's permission.
For pregnant women and nursing mothers there are no contraindications to the intake of honey water. But sometimes it happens that pregnancy proceeds with certain peculiarities or breastfeeding does not go as smoothly as you would like. In such cases, it is important to consult with a specialist before starting to take honey water. The same applies to the use of the drink for cosmetic purposes.
How to prepare honey water
To achieve maximum benefits for the body from the reception of honey water, it is necessary to adhere to the technology of preparation of this drink. There is more than one recipe for preparing the solution, but they all require compliance with a number of important rules and nuances:
- Do not use honey that has been subjected to various kinds of processing. It is important to choose only natural product.
- Water is necessarily used raw, but purified from harmful impurities. In this case, filtered or bottled non-carbonated liquid will do.
- To prepare the solution, the temperature of the water must not exceed 40°C.
- In the prepared drink, the concentration of honey should not be higher than 30%.
The main component of the drink is honey. In order for the prepared drink to be beneficial, it is necessary to select this product with special care. It should be natural, without going through pasteurization, filtration, heat treatment.
In order not to make a wrong choice, it is worth adhering to the following recommendations:
- Make a purchase only from proven sellers.
- Choose a product that has not had time to sugary.
- Pay attention to the surface of the product: if you can see foam or air bubbles there, then the product is in the fermentation stage, so you should not buy it.
- Honey should be thick and viscous enough.
Each variety has its own unique composition and properties. You should read the characteristics of each beforehand and determine for yourself the most suitable one:
- Clover - effective in the treatment of respiratory diseases, and also has a diaphoretic and expectorant effect.
- Acacia - helps in the fight against insomnia, has a strengthening and calming effect on the body.
- Field - helps in treating headaches, strengthens the nervous system.
- Forest - has analgesic, regenerating and anti-inflammatory properties.
- Alpine - used in the treatment of anemia and stomach diseases, has wound healing and antibacterial properties.
- Donberry - improves blood circulation and reduces blood viscosity.
- Chestnut - used in the treatment of diseases of the cardiovascular system and the gastrointestinal tract.
Peculiarities of preparation of honey water depending on the purpose of its reception:
- The classic recipe for the drink involves dissolving 1 teaspoon of honey in 250 ml of purified water.
- Increasing the acidity of gastric juice will contribute to the addition of classic honey water with 1 teaspoon of apple cider vinegar or freshly squeezed lemon juice.
- Chopped ginger root can be added to enhance the antiviral properties.
- If you need to reduce excess weight, the honey water should be supplemented with ½ teaspoon of ground cinnamon and 1 tablespoon of freshly squeezed lemon juice.
- For a refreshing summer drink, you can add currant or mint leaves to the water with honey.
How to drink honey water correctly
Honey water will be beneficial only if its consumption is correct. It is desirable to take the drink in the morning before 7 a.m. It is also necessary to take into account the following recommendations:
- It is worth consuming only the freshly prepared composition;
- Drink it all at once, in a gulp;
- When consuming in the evening it is necessary to do it one hour before going to sleep;
- During the day it is necessary to do it 20 minutes before a meal in small sips.
Depending on the purpose, the intake of the drink should look as follows:
- If it is necessary to cleanse the intestines, honey water is taken immediately after waking up on an empty stomach. After 40 minutes, you can have breakfast.
- For weight loss, you should also drink the drink after waking up. To achieve a greater effect, you can add cinnamon, which can be poured overnight with boiling water.
- Pregnant women in the absence of contraindications can also drink the drink on an empty stomach. This will not only have a favorable effect on the health of the mother, but will also contribute to the normal development of the fetus.
Regardless of the purpose, it is important to drink the prepared drink quickly. This is necessary so that the liquid is not absorbed gradually, and immediately fills the stomach.
How much you can drink
You should not drink honey water in excessive quantities, because it will not do any good. Consider the recommendations on the necessary amount of the drink:
- A single dose of liquid in 1 reception should be no more than 200 ml.
- The course of treatment with the drink is 30 days, after that you can take a two-week break.
- If there is no negative reaction to the drink, you can take it continuously without breaks.
- In order not to overload the pancreas, you should use no more than 200 ml of water with honey per day.
What to drink: warm or cold
In the preparation, it is recommended to mix honey with warm water. In cold water, it will be difficult to dissolve the sweet product, and in hot water, it will kill all the useful stock of the product. Therefore, it is necessary to take a warm honey elixir.
Recipes of honey water with various additives
In ancient times, people prepared their own medicines for many diseases. The usefulness of honey is no longer a secret for anyone. But to improve the effect of already useful honey water, you can use additional components. Let's consider the most useful recipes for cooking.
With honey and lemon
Thanks to lemon, not only will neutralize all the overly sugary sweetness of the honey drink. The additive will contribute to the removal of excess fluid from the body and act as a laxative. In addition, lemon will also strengthen the immune system and speed up metabolic processes in the body.
The preparation of the drink is as follows:
- Add to 200 ml of water natural honey in the amount of 1 teaspoon.
- Stir until the honey has dissolved completely.
- Add to the drink 10 or 15 drops of freshly squeezed lemon juice and again stir thoroughly the resulting composition.
Immediately after preparation, you must drink the honey-lemon water. One glass of the healing drink a day will be enough.
Honey water with cinnamon
Cinnamon in a duet with honey water is involved in normalizing insulin levels, blood pressure, heart function, and also significantly reduces cholesterol levels and promotes weight loss. To do this, you need to add ½ teaspoon of ground cinnamon or 1 cinnamon stick.
What is the preparation of the drink:
- Pour ½ teaspoon of cinnamon in boiling water and leave for half an hour to cool.
- Add 1 teaspoon of natural honey and stir until the product is completely dissolved.
The resulting product should be drunk twice a day. Drink half of it in the evening before going to bed, and the other half in the morning on an empty stomach. Thanks to this remedy, you can fight extra pounds. Before taking it in the morning, the mixture should be heated to room temperature.
With honey and apple cider vinegar
Honey water, supplemented with apple cider vinegar, has a positive effect on the metabolic processes, purifying not only the blood vessels, but also the whole body. In addition, the composition has a positive effect on the nervous system, helping to fight insomnia and stress.
In order to prepare the drink, you will need:
- In 200 ml of purified water dissolve 1 tablespoon of natural honey.
- Add 1 tablespoon of vinegar and mix thoroughly.
Take the resulting composition should be on an empty stomach. The treatment to continue for 30 days.
The drink can also be supplemented with lemon juice.
The preparation looks as follows:
- In a glass of purified water add 1 tablespoon of natural honey. Thoroughly mix until a homogeneous composition.
- Add 1 teaspoon of apple cider vinegar and 1 teaspoon of freshly squeezed lemon juice to the drink. Mix thoroughly.
Take this drink also on an empty stomach. The course of reception should be no more than 30 days. Then it is important to take a break. If necessary, you can repeat the course.
Honey water with garlic
If the honey water is supplemented with crushed garlic cloves, then the resulting drink will adjust the robot of the cardiovascular system, will tone the blood vessels, and will also contribute to the removal of toxins from the body.
How to prepare the composition:
- Dissolve 1 tablespoon of natural honey in 200 ml of warm purified water.
- Crush 1 garlic clove, add to the honey water and mix the composition well.
Take such a remedy should be half an hour before a meal.
With honey and ginger
With the addition of ginger, the drink will work to cleanse the digestive system, speed up the metabolism and muffle feelings of hunger.
Prepare the composition is simple:
- Dissolve 1 tablespoon of natural honey in 250 ml of hot filtered water.
- Grate 3 cm of ginger root and add to the honey water. Thoroughly mix.
Take the composition on an empty stomach, about half an hour before breakfast. In order to improve the smell and taste, you can supplement the drink with a small amount of cinnamon.
Drink "Dibrova"
Cocktail "Dibrova" - Is a great option for the whole family. He is not only tasty, but also useful.
The preparation consists of the following steps:
- In a common container, combine 75 g of natural honey, 200 ml of raspberry juice and 2 drops of citric acid. Thoroughly mix everything.
- Pour a lot of 150 ml of carbonated water.
To the table beverage served chilled.
Sbiten" drink
The recipe of this drink is of Slavic origin. Its benefits are invaluable in winter, when the lack of vitamins is especially noticeable.
Its preparation consists of the following:
- Pour 200 ml of purified water into a saucepan.
- Add the cinnamon, ginger, cloves, pepper and bay leaf to the water.
- Bring to the boiling point and boil well.
- Add 1 teaspoon of natural honey.
Serve the drink warm to the table, adding 1 cinnamon stick.
As it turns out, honey water is not only a tasty drink, but also a useful medicine. When taken regularly, all the functions of the body will be established, and the beauty and youth will shine with greater power. But we should not forget that the remedy has its contraindications, which should be taken seriously. It is important to take into account all recommendations, because health requires attention.
«Important: All information on the site is provided solely for introductory purposes. Before applying any recommendations, you should consult with a specialized specialist. Neither the editors nor the authors are liable for any possible harm caused by materials."