Honey
Honey
Honey (/ˈhʌni/) is a sweet, viscous food substance made by honey bees and some other bees. Bees produce honey from the sugary secretions of plants (floral nectar) or from secretions of other insects (such as honeydew), by regurgitation, enzymatic activity, and water evaporation.
Etymology
The English word "honey" comes from the Old English hunig, and the first usage of the term honey in English dates back to before the 12th century.
Production
Honey is produced by bees collecting nectar for use as sugars consumed to support metabolism of muscle activity during foraging or to be stored as a long-term food supply. During foraging, bees access part of the nectar collected to support metabolic activity, with the majority of collected nectar destined for regurgitation, digestion, and storage as honey.
Composition
Honey is composed of at least 181 substances, and its unique taste is due to the various sugars, notably fructose and glucose. It also contains acids, including 18 amino acids, various enzymes, and minerals.
Health Benefits
Honey has been used in traditional medicine for centuries. It has antioxidant, antimicrobial, and soothing effects. It is also high in beneficial plant compounds and offers several health benefits. Honey is particularly healthy when used instead of refined sugar, which is 100% empty calories.
Related Terms
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Honey
- Wikipedia's article - Honey
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