Continuing on the topic of allergies, which I addressed in another post, I want to talk about honey. Did you know that eating local honey can help counteract your reaction to area allergens? I try to keep a steady supply of local honey on hand every spring for that very reason. In addition to that, honey has many other benefits:

1. Honey helps retain the moisture content in skin and restore its elasticity.
2. Honey’s antibacterial and antimicrobial properties help prevent the growth of certain bacteria and may be used to treats some wounds, burns and cuts.
3. Honey is loaded with antioxidants and this may help protect the skin from ultraviolet damage.
4. Honey contains vitamins B1, B2, C, B6, B5 and B3. Copper, iodine, and zinc also exist in honey in small quantities.
5. Honey may help relieve morning sickness.
6. Honey also helps lower total cholesterol while increasing HDL (good) cholesterol.
7. Honey helps modulate the immune system, and, in so doing, may prevent the recurrence of infections.
8. Honey also plays a pivotal role in managing obesity. It helps accelerate metabolism, which in turn helps the body burn fat.

All that said, different honey from different sources will have different attributes. And, as with anything else, especially sweets, moderation is the key.