Archaeologists excavating ancient Egyptian tombs often found pots of honey there, which, despite being thousands of years old, were perfectly preserved. The honey did not spoil and remained as tasty as if you just bought it in the store.
As it turned out, such a product without an expiration date is obtained due to the combination of a number of factors.
Firstly, honey is first of all sugar, which is hygroscopic in its nature, that is, it contains very little water in its natural state, but it can absorb water if it is not closed. This creates an unfavorable environment for bacteria and microorganisms, which simply die in it.
In addition, honey has a very acidic environment, and its acidity reaches pH 3 – 4,5. This acid kills almost everything that can develop there.
Finally, the bees themselves add a protective enzyme called glucoxidase to honey, which, when mixed with nectar, breaks down into gluconic acid and hydrogen peroxide. Hydrogen peroxide is another factor that prevents the growth of bacteria in honey.
It is for this reason that honey has been used as a medicine for centuries. So in the Sumerian clay tablets it was indicated that honey was used in 30 percent of all recommendations. The ancient Egyptians constantly used honey to treat skin and eye diseases and to heal wounds.
But while honey is a real superfood, if you leave it open in a humid environment, it can go bad. However, as long as the lid is closed and you don’t add water, nothing will happen to the honey for many years.
Honey is composed of glucose, fructose, minerals including iron, calcium, phosphate, sodium chloride, potassium, magnesium, and others. It is also rich in vitamins B1, B2, B3, B5 and B6.
Here are some of the most famous health benefits of honey:
Honey contains flavonoids – antioxidants that reduce the risk of certain types of cancer and heart disease.
Recent studies have shown that honey can help with ulcers and bacterial gastroenteritis.
Honey inhibits the growth of pathogens such as Escherichia coli, Salmonella, Staphylococcus aureus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and others.
Despite the fact that honey contains sugar, it has a lower glycemic index and does not lead to a sharp rise in blood sugar levels.
Simple sugars and antibacterial properties create a healing effect.
A study in children showed that buckwheat honey was as effective against night coughs as cough syrup.
Ancient Greek athletes ate honey and dried figs to improve their athletic performance. Honey is known to support glycogen levels and accelerate recovery.
Some types of honey have a positive effect on the intestinal microflora.
The antibacterial, moisturizing and nourishing properties of honey have a beneficial effect on the skin.