A study performed by Xavier University students showed that participants who took a couple of tablespoons of local or non-local honey daily for six weeks experienced fewer allergy symptoms than those who didn’t take honey. If you’re a seasonal allergy sufferer, you may want to up your consumption of natural honey. While results may vary, the truth is that honey is healthy in so many ways. It’s a treasure trove of nutrition that is also delicious. Now, it’s time to explore why honey may relieve your seasonal allergies this spring.
Honey contains allergy-fighting zinc.
Zinc assists with immune system function. It’s also believed to bring down the swelling in the nasal mucosa. If you’re tired of dealing with annoying and uncomfortable nasal inflammation during allergy season, get more zinc by consuming honey. You may also get honey from other dietary sources. Zinc is also available in supplement form, but many people prefer to get zinc from food.
Eight milligrams per day is a safe amount of zinc for females, according to the Mayoclinic.org website. Men may take up to 11 milligrams of zinc per day. Zinc content in honey ranges from .22 mg per 100 grams to 3.25 mg per 100 grams. Adding pure honey to a cup of tea or a cup of honey to a recipe will help you get the zinc you need during allergy season. Eating honey from a teaspoon or tablespoon is also a delicious self-care idea. Eating honey "straight-up" will become a pleasant daily ritual.
Honey is rich in choline.
Suppose you rely on Benadryl (diphenhydramine) to combat allergy symptoms related to mold or other environmental triggers or seasonal allergies. In that case, you should know that one scientific study showed that Benadryl is anticholinergic. This is terrible news, as our brains need choline. Luckily, honey contains 7.5 milligrams of choline per cup. Getting the choline, you need from natural honey may help you avoid this negative Benadryl side effect. Even if you don’t use Benadryl, you’ll find that getting choline from honey is great for your brain health. Choline supports optimal motor skills, memory, and attention span.
Honey contains anti-allergy folate.
According to research conducted by the Children’s Center at John Hopkins, inadequate folate levels may boost the risk of allergies. Research study participants with the lowest serum folate levels had a significantly higher risk of testing positive for allergies. Honey contains 6.8 mcg of folate per cup, and folate boosts brain and heart health. Integrating honey into your regular diet can be a great way to get the folate needed to improve several areas of your health and reduce allergy symptoms.
Honey and Allergies and Immunotherapy
There is a good deal of evidence that suggests honey helps with allergies. More peer-reviewed scientific studies are needed, and these types of studies may be performed in the future. Since the research thus far looks promising, taking honey as a natural allergy treatment is worth a try.
Enjoy any of these honey recipes in support of immunotherapy:
These green smoothies will hit the spot and cover the bases during the pollen season. Get the benefit of your daily dosage of greens and other beneficial nutrients from honey in one drink! Here are more smoothie ideas.
Try this honey nut granola on Greek yogurt with a couple of tablespoons of honey. This raw recipe means that all of the vital nutrients from honey are still intact.
Salad anyone? Simply made lemon vinaigrette dressing with honey can offer these added benefits that you may not have considered when trying to work raw honey into your daily diet for immunotherapy.
Try any healthy eats made with honey to help build your immune system. Some people wait to do this for signs of seasonal allergies. I have found that if I ingest as little as one tablespoon a day, year-round, I see a change.
If you make any of these recipes, we hope you will take a snapshot and share it on social. Be sure to tag us @waxingkara
