Honey is a very well known natural sweetener which has been used for the last 2500 years. Along with other natural products like vegetable oils or apple cider vinegar, honey plays a key role in folk medicines of many nations, especially in Ayurveda, Traditional Chinese medicine, as well as in alternative medicines of European countries and Russia. Honey is very highly valued as a natural antioxidant and antimicrobial agent, available throughout the year in virtually every place on earth. Great taste and numerous honey health benefits can serve for everyone’s great health and longevity.The most commonly known and utilized health benefits of honey include the following:Nourishing and boosting our energy levels. Honey is a great source of glucose, fructose, proteins, organic and amino acids, minerals like copper, magnesium, iron, calcium, zinc, potassium, phosphorus, Vitamin C, Vitamins B complex, and many other useful nutrients. Honey is relatively high in calories (1 tablespoon of honey has about 65 calories), so this food can increase our energy levels and boost our athletic performance.Speeding up fat loss. It is hard to believe that using such a high calorie food as honey can assist weight loss. However, for many centuries it was known that using a glass of warm water mixed with 1 teaspoon of honey and 1 tablespoon lemon juice (possibly with a pinch if cinnamon powder) can aid boosting metabolism, intensifying fat digestion and speeding up fat loss in the body. Undoubtedly, this is one of the key health benefits of honey.Natural antioxidant properties. Rich in flavonoids, honey can assist us in slowing down oxidation processes in our cells, prevent aging and all sorts of aging related mutations in cells. These honey health benefits received a huge scientific interest and were proven by several serious studies.Natural antiseptic properties. Honey has very strong anti fungal and antibacterial properties, usually attributed to a small content of propolis. That is why this natural remedy can be used for treating and preventing a wide range of infections.Alleviating the symptoms of respiratory system infections. This is one of the most important health benefits of honey which has been used throughout the world for ages. Honey can work wonders for treating such problem as sore throat, due to excellent antimicrobial properties. Besides, according to the findings of the experts at University of Calabar Teaching Hospital, published in Cochrane Database Systematic Reviews, this natural product can be very effective for relieving acute cough in children.Boosting our immune system. A series of studies in Israel has proven this property of high quality honey, so this natural product is recommended to children and adults for effective protection against many common diseases and ailments.Playing a role of natural topical treatments for wounds. A group of scientists from the University of Auckland found out that honey can increase the rate of healing acute wounds (see publication in Cochrane Database Systematic Reviews, October 2008). In another study, a group of Iranian experts at University of Medical Sciences of Tabriz compared the effectiveness of honey for burn wound healing with the effectiveness of mafenide acetate (published in Annals of Burn and Fire Disasters). According to the abstract, “In honey-dressed wounds, early subsidence of acute inflammatory changes, better control of infection, and quicker wound healing were observed.”Helping in combating insomnia and fighting the effects of stresses. A glass of warm milk with 1 or 2 teaspoon of honey is a very famous remedy for insomnia. For nervous tension relieving, it is recommended to use chamomile tea with 1 teaspoon of honey.Potential health benefits of honey (or those which need more research and scientific studies) include the properties of this natural product control blood sugar and improve insulin sensitivity, prevent cancer, relieving joint pains, and stimulating detoxification.