David Wall/Contributing Writer
Honey contains 64 calories per tablespoon including 17.25 grams of sugar: much better sugar for you than table sugar, but still sugar. We all know that honey is good for us if sugar isn’t a problem, but did you also know:
Honey contains substances to help your brain to work better. Honey by itself can sustain human life. One spoonful of it will provide sustenance for 24 hours. It has been known to save people in Africa from starvation. Once produced, honey will literally last forever. Because it has already been digested, it has no expiration date.
Honey contains propolis, which is a very powerful antibiotic. As a result, honey contains wound-healing qualities, anticancer, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and antibacterial capabilities. In times of emergencies, it has been placed directly on wounds to provide protection.
In antiquity, Emperors were buried in gold coffins which were then covered in honey to protect the body. One of the very first gold coins invented has a bee symbol on it.
Honey contains some live enzymes. If honey comes in contact with a metal spoon, those enzymes, for reasons that I don’t understand, die. So, when handling honey, use a wooden spoon or ladle. A plastic spoon will also work.
Something I only recently learned is that the term ‘honeymoon’ comes from when both the bride and groom partook of honey to ensure fertility after the marriage! I’m not sure where the “moon” portion comes in!!!
For an update or review, a honeybee only lives for around 40 days and has several jobs in the hive before graduating to gathering pollen/nectar. So, in a very short time she (all workers are female) will find a 1,000 or more flowers and produce slightly less than a teaspoon of honey. A short span for a lifetime of work!