Chemical composition and nutritional value of honey

2024 Author: Isabella Gilson | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 03:14

Since ancient times, honey has been famous for its healing properties, so it was used in folk medicine to treat many ailments. To understand the benefits of the product, you should familiarize yourself with its composition and nutritional value. It varies depending on the geography of collection, climatic conditions, season, weather, breed of bees, maturity of the bee product. The nutritional value of honey allows you to determine how much it should be consumed.

Water

Water may be in the range of 14-26% in the product. Each country has its own rules. The indicator determines the grade. Previously, according to quality standards, the humidity had to be no higher than 21%. An exception is cotton varieties, the moisture content of which is not more than 19%. In Russia, honey should contain no more than 20% moisture.

Carbohydrates

The nutritional value of natural honey consists of carbohydrates. In the product of different varieties, this component can reach up to 86%. More than 40 varieties have been carefully studied. The main ones are fructose and glucose. Also contains m altose and sucrose.

It should be taken into account that the composition of nectar is not constant. The carbohydrate content canbe in different ranges. This is due to the fact that honey is a living product. Quite a lot of time can pass from the moment of pumping out of the cells to its use. During storage, carbohydrates are stabilized. Fresh product contains more sucrose than already shrunken.

It is important for consumers to know the ratio of fructose to other sugars. The larger it is, the longer the sugaring takes place and the more useful the product will be. Fructose is absorbed for a long time, so a person feels full after eating this product for a long period.

Valuable Items

The nutritional value of honey consists of minerals. Honeydew varieties are considered more saturated than flower varieties. The natural product contains about 1% ash. This is what mineralization depends on. Ash content is determined by the geography of collection, nectar productivity, climate.

The main substance with a large specific gravity of ash content is potassium. The product also contains calcium, chlorine, sulfur, sodium, magnesium. Dark honey is considered to be richer in macro- and microelements. This should be taken into account when using such a product.

Nitrogenous components

Contains other useful honey components. The composition and nutritional value are enriched with many substances. Bees saturate nectar with nitrogenous components - proteins. In flower species, they are about 0.5%. Honeydew varieties contain up to 2% protein.

Enzymes

Research shows that protein compounds have enzymatic activity. Honey contains amylase, inulase, lipase andother components. Enzymes are needed for the processing of nectar by bees. They are also used in the maturation of the product. Substances are needed for the qualitative analysis of natural honey.

Amino acids

The nutritional value of honey includes amino acids. Up to 98 mg of compounds are present in 100 g of the product. Among them: lysine, isoleucine, phenylalanine. Due to the content of amino acids, honey acquires a wonderful taste and aroma. With them, a variety bouquet is created.

Alkaloids

The healing properties of this useful product are associated with the content of alkaloids. In moderation, they have a therapeutic effect, and in large quantities - toxicity. Alkaloids include nicotine, caffeine, and quinine. In the product, they are in the form of traces, so they do not cause negative reactions.

Alkaloids have the following functions:

• Depressant effect on the nervous system.
• Exciting effect.
• Paralytic effect on nerve endings.
• Pain-relieving effect.

These components, depending on the type, can constrict and dilate blood vessels.

Acids

Honey also contains acids. The chemical composition and nutritional value of this product are rich. Flower varieties are acidic in the range of 3, 2-6, 5 pH, and honeydew - 3, 7-5, 6.

The product contains organic acids, due to the variety of which provides excellent taste and aromas. These include dairy, apple, flower and many others. They areare contained in an amount not exceeding 0.3%. Inorganic acids include hydrochloric and phosphoric. Since they are in the form of s alts, this does not have a huge effect on acidity.

Vitamins

The nutritional value of honey includes vitamins. Their content is not uniform. For example, ascorbic acid may be contained in different quantities depending on the variety:

• Heather honey - 45mcg per 1g
• Buckwheat - up to 120 mcg.
• Mint - 2600mcg

There are vitamins B1, E, PP, A, H in honey. The specific gravity of vitamins is determined by the amount of pollen grains. Their content is destroyed due to the acidic environment.

Nutritional value

Here is such a useful composition of honey. The nutritional value of 100g is:

• Proteins - 0.8 g.
• Carbs - 80.3g

The calorie content of the product is 328 kcal. But at the same time it is very useful. Honey contains many vitamins and minerals. It contains rare, but necessary substances for humans. The nutritional value of honey in a teaspoon is 32 kcal, since it contains 10 g of the product.

Benefit

The beneficial properties of honey have been known since ancient times. It was used not only as an excellent food product, but also as a remedy for many ailments. Honey is famous for the following he alth benefits:

• Restores strength, strengthens the immune system after illness.
• Has a bactericidal effect, so it is used to heal wounds.
• Normalizes the digestive system.
• Stimulates the activity of internal organs.
• Eliminates bile stasis.
• Cures cataracts.
• Restores physical strength.
• Normalizes metabolism.

Honey is needed to improve the functioning of the respiratory system. It is used in the treatment of colds. It cleanses the pores on the skin. The product is used in the bath and for cosmetic procedures.

Harm and contraindications

There are expert recommendations on how not to make a harmful product out of honey. For example, with heating, its structure changes, and the properties become different. Therefore, it is forbidden to drink honey with a hot drink. Tea or milk must be warm.

You don't need to consume honey in large quantities. Excess can cause diabetes. The product causes tooth decay, and faster than sugar and sweets. Doctors advise rinsing your mouth or brushing your teeth after each use, which will be even more effective.

Don't eat honey on an empty stomach. This is due to the fact that honey stimulates the start of the digestive system. If normal food is not received within 30 minutes, this leads to the production of insulin, due to which there is a deterioration in he alth.

Some people are allergic to honey. Urticaria is usually observed, but anaphylactic shock may also occur. The product should not be given to children under 3 years of age. Honey is considered unique, as it has many beneficial properties for the body. Needonly take into account the limitations and contraindications, but it should not be excluded from the diet.