Raw honey is versatile, from medicinal use to natural sweeteners and aesthetic benefits. One of the interesting benefits of raw honey is believed to be weight loss. It is said to be a natural and tasty way to support your weight loss journey, making it a staple in many diet plans. 

Does it help females with weight loss? Does it help lose weight in general? Let's find out. Today's blog will walk you through the nutrient profile of raw honey, help you understand its role and benefits for your body, and give you insight into its use in weight loss. So keep reading until the end. 

What Does 'Raw Honey' Mean?

It is normal to confuse raw honey with regular honey. While some believe that raw honey is far superior to regular honey in nutritional benefits, others believe there's no difference between the two. So let's set it straight. 

Raw honey is best defined as honey extracted from the beehive, strained, and poured straight into the bottle for use. It skips the commercial processing methods that regular honey undergoes. 

Raw honey, once extracted, is poured over a mesh or a nylon cloth to remove beeswax and dead bees. That's all! It does not undergo the following two processes:

• Pasteurization: Process that destroys the yeast in honey by applying heat, extends its shelf life, and makes it smoother. 

• Filtration: Process undertaken to remove debris and air bubbles. As a result, honey stays like a clear liquid. 

So how do the two differ? 

• Raw honey contains higher amounts of antioxidants than its processed counterparts. It contains nearly 30 bioactive plant compounds called polyphenols, which act as antioxidants. 

• Most processed honey does not contain any pollen, which is very nutritious. It contains over 250 substances, including vitamins, micronutrients, and antioxidants. 

• Regular honey may have artificial sweeteners or added sugar.

As a result, raw honey's health benefits may be based on its nutritional profile due to its higher antioxidant content. 

Why Raw Honey May Be Good for Weight Loss?

Honey has been linked with weight management for quite a significant amount of time. Previous research suggests that honey has multiple physiological effects, such as:

• Antibacterial

• Anticancer

• Anti-inflammatory

• Antioxidant

• Improves cardiovascular health, immune system, and gastric activity. 

Sugar Content in Honey

Clinically, high intake of sugar has been linked with obesity and being overweight. However, it helps the body function at homeostasis when taken in appropriate amounts. 

Raw honey is concentrated with fructose, glucose, and small amounts of other varieties. For instance, Turanose is a type of sugar in honey that reduces fat buildup in the body. Research suggests that it lowered the activity of specific genes linked to fat production in the body. 

Leucrose, another sugar found in honey, helps to maintain healthy blood sugar levels. Similarly, Trehalose is believed to prevent obesity by encouraging 'browning' of white fat, which helps burn more calories. 

Proteins in Honey

Honey is not primarily known for its protein content because it is in very small quantities. However, the proteins and amino acids may still have a positive impact. 

Phenylalanine, an amino acid, helps with appetite control. Then there's Glutamine. It is the most common amino acid in blood and shows promising results for weight management. In a small study, obese women who took glutamine daily for four weeks saw a drop in both body weight and waist size. 

Histidine, another amino acid, has shown results for obese women. It improved insulin resistance, reduced BMI, and helped cut down fat mass. 

However, it is important to note that these results depend on the intake of these amino acids per kg of body weight. 

Even though proteins and amino acids are not present in significant amounts in honey, they may make a slight difference. 

Raw Honey Might Benefit Weight Loss

We've covered the intricate details of the ingredients found in honey and their impact. Let's put it into perspective now. 

Raw honey might aid in weight loss by:

Controlling Your Appetite

Phenylalanine found in honey controls your appetite by suppressing it. Theoretically, this means it increases satiety and reduces small hunger pangs. As a result, it saves you from overindulging, which may contribute to weight gain. It is important to note that more research needs to be undertaken for this aspect. 

Protection Against Metabolic Syndrome

Metabolic syndrome is a group of conditions, including high blood sugar, excess body fat around the waist, and abnormal cholesterol levels, that together increase the risk for:

• Cardiovascular disease

• Type 2 diabetes

• Stroke

2021 research suggests that honey and its components:

• Balance blood sugar

• Improve how the body uses insulin

• Support fat metabolism by lowering triglycerides

• Reduces bad cholesterol (LDL)

• Boosts good cholesterol (HDL)

Together, these factors prevent weight gain, help with fat loss, and help control obesity. 

Proceed with Caution

While research supports using honey for weight management and weight loss, it is essential to remember that these studies are inconclusive. Most of them were performed on rats. Since rats and humans fundamentally differ in their body process, more research needs to happen with humans. More specifically, females need to be researched upon since the biological response to raw honey may slightly differ in males and females. 

Conclusion

Raw honey is the nutritious form of honey present today. Its unpasteurized and unfiltered form ensures that the honey retains most of its components and delivers all the benefits. However, it is essential to note that raw honey is not the same as organic honey. Remembering this point will always help you make the right choice. 

GeoHoney offers 100% natural, raw honey sourced from trusted beekeepers around the globe. You can use it as a natural sweetener for your beverages and desserts, as a cooking ingredient, or for its medicinal properties. 

Visit GeoHoney today and add the magic of raw honey to your life.