we love bees
If you’ve been thinking of switching up your diet to a more naturally based regime, then you’ve probably stumbled across the name ‘Buckwheat honey’ a few times before.
But what really is this sticky, whole-grain sounding food?
You’ve guessed it right. As the name goes, Buckwheat honey does come from bees. Where else would honey come from? But what you might not have figured out as yet is that Buckwheat has nothing to do with wheat itself.
In reality, Buckwheat comes from a family of foods referred to as pseudocereals. As with quinoa, these seeds are consumed as grains and can be eaten as cereals.
It’s pretty hard to imagine how honey could come from grain, we know. Here’s how it works: Buckwheat produces a flower with sweet nectar that our dear sugar-loving bees can’t resist. They feed on this liquid and, in turn, form honey as a raw material.
That being said, there are quite a few questions that you may now have regarding this all-natural sugar alternative. Lucky for you, we’ve got all the answers listed below.
Unlike most store-bought, raw honey packages, buckwheat honey is very dark and rich in color. Thus, it is known for strong flavor elements similar to molasses and is often accompanied by mild bitterness.
This makes it a perfect substitute for syrups and other regular honey in recipes that call for intense, tangy flavors.
Ever heard the saying "the darker the honey, the richer it is"? This has got to be one of the most accurate phrases yet.
Generally, darker honey has a much greater quantity of antioxidants and minerals than the lighter ones. There is a particular antioxidant - polyphenol - that we credit for the especially purplish to a blackish hue of buckwheat honey.
These compounds make this honey one of the darkest known and deem it one with the most health benefits.
Due to its high mineral and antioxidant content, Buckwheat honey has numerous benefits for your well-being. It has been endorsed by countless medical professionals, including Fox Station’s cardiothoracic surgeon, Dr. Oz, for its famous healing properties.
We tend to think that honey only benefits gut health because, well, we drink it. While Buckwheat honey is gluten-free and rich in fiber, the truth is that this natural product has far more uses than meets the eye.
Let’s take a look:
Buckwheat honey is a much healthier alternative to processed sugar for one main reason. This natural substitute has a much lower glycemic index (GI) than refined sugars. Glycemic Index is the value given to different foods based on their rate of increasing blood sugar levels, mainly by the release of glucose.
This honey has a remarkably low GI of about 35, making it an excellent alternate sugar source for diabetic patients.
However, honey in itself carries a lot of calories and as with everything else, it should be taken in moderation.
The primary antioxidant in Buckwheat honey - polyphenol - is well known for its benefits to heart health.
Studies show that this chemical increases the number of high-density lipoproteins (HDL) - the good cholesterol - secreted in the body. This is good for promoting anti-inflammatory responses and also helps reduce the risk of heart attacks, cardiac strokes, hypertension, and other heart diseases.
Buckwheat honey’s numerous antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory attributes make it the top choice of many medical practitioners when it comes to soothing a sore throat or nagging cough.
A typical home remedy for these flu symptoms is to make a mixture of one tablespoon of this honey and a tablespoon of fresh lemon juice, three times a day. The honey-lime syrup coats the throat and soothes the sore muscle.
We also recommend trying Buckwheat honey for any upper respiratory tract infections. You’ll find that it makes a great deal of a difference.
Buckwheat honey has many antibacterial properties that make it very useful in healing wounds.
It also works as an astringent and therefore functions by removing moisture from bruised areas. Since bacteria thrive in warm, moist environments, this reduces the chances of infections developing in cuts and wounds.
A thin layer of honey can be applied gently to injured areas.
Like we mentioned above, Buckwheat honey acts as an astringent. This also works wonders for fighting acne as it helps reduce the amount of oil that settles on the skin.
At the same time, honey serves as a humectant - a natural moisturizer - and maintains the skin’s regular pH. It is also known for its therapeutic properties and skin toning.
For more vibrant, glowing skin, you may want to purchase a jar of Buckwheat honey on your next trip to the pharmacy or supermarket and include it in your daily skincare regimen.
Again, because of its high antioxidant and mineral content, Buckwheat honey is an excellent treatment for dull, dry hair. Use it as a stand-alone deep conditioner, or mix it up with avocado or other natural ingredients to make your own DIY hair mask.
As a natural sweetener, honey increases the number of feel-good hormones, like serotonin, released in the body. These chemicals are responsible for your mood change and can help combat anxiety. It seems like sweetness is indeed the key to happiness!
Of all the sweet options you may have at your disposal, make the right choice and next time pick up that jar of Buckwheat honey on the aisle shelf.
Its healthy and cost-effective benefits far outweigh any of the temporary pleasures that regular, refined sugars could ever promise to give you.
