Honey for weight loss
Many people restrict their meals to reduce their weight, but this is unfortunately a potentially dangerous practice. If you do not consume enough food, which is the main way of obtaining energy, vitamins, minerals, and fibre, your immune system will become weaker.[1]
Table of contents:
1. Honey and weight loss
2. Honey vs sugar
3. Replace sugar with honey
4. Weight loss drink with honey
5. Hibernation diet
6. Always remember
Honey and weight loss
For people struggling with overweight or obesity honey can help reduce the risk of cardiovascular disorders, and when consumed in reasonable doses, it will not affect weight gain either. As shown by research published in the Scientific World Journal, honey combined with regular physical activity and a balanced diet can help in leading a healthier lifestyle. Furthermore, consuming honey can help lower cholesterol levels. It can also lead to a slower increase in plasma glucose levels.
Honey vs sugar
Unlike refined sugar, honey also contains beneficial vitamins and minerals. Among the minerals, we can mention: iron, sodium, potassium, phosphorus, zinc, and calcium. Honey can also contain vitamins, including folic acid, niacin, riboflavin, vitamin C, and vitamin B6. Refined table sugar, which people often use to sweeten food, is considered a source of "empty calories", meaning its consumption brings no benefits.[2]
Replace sugar with honey
Eliminate sugar from your diet by using honey as an alternative. Start the day with honey in hot water, replace sugar with honey in tea, as well as with honey in coffee, in oatmeal, pancakes, and in all meals that you feel require sweetening.
Ordinary table sugar present in almost all our homes contains calories that do not benefit our health in any way. Vitamins and minerals accumulated in the body are usually used to digest sugar. It is these nutrients that are essential for dissolving fats and cholesterol, so consuming ordinary sugar is simply wasting our resources. Therefore, when you eat too much sugar, you tend to gain weight not only because of the calories but also because of the subsequent lack of vitamins and minerals. This is why honey is a good source of nutrients, which can help people in the efforts they make to lose weight, of course when consumed in limited quantities.
Weight loss drink with honey
Drinking warm water with honey and a bit of lemon (or quince juice) first thing in the morning helps increase the body's metabolism. But at 64 calories per tablespoon, how can honey help you shed those extra pounds? According to a 2010 study published in the Journal of the American College of Nutrition, honey helps control appetite. The benefits of honey can be found in many weight loss programmes. If you are trying to lose weight, honey can be very helpful, you can try honey with lemon, cinnamon, or ginger due to its positive effect on our body.[3]
You can even go a step further and replace all refined sugar in your diet with honey to balance the brain signal that forces you to consume more sweets.
Hibernation diet
With all the new diets appearing year after year, it is difficult to state unequivocally which one will bring the greatest benefits in weight loss. One aspect of the hibernation diet that can help with weight loss is consuming a tablespoon of honey before bed. While you rest, honey continues to stimulate the liver and can soothe stress hormones present in your system. If you consume honey before bed, the body will start burning more fat in the early hours of sleep, and you will wake up more rested.[4]
Always remember
Your diet should focus on ensuring an adequate intake of all essential nutrients, not just on reducing the calories you consume. Furthermore, to achieve the desired results, you must also increase your daily calorie burn through regular physical activity and a healthy diet. Weight loss is a gradual process; there are no shortcuts here, as they can be harmful in their consequences. Always consult a dietitian to get a properly balanced nutrition plan.
Bibliography:
[1] https://food.ndtv.com/health/11-amazing-honey-benefits-boosts-immunity-treats-cough-and-more-1397491
[2] https://www.daburhoney.com/benefits-of-honey/honey-for-weight-loss/5-tips-to-use-honey-for-weight-loss
[3] https://www.organicfacts.net/health-benefits/animal-product/benefits-of-honey-in-weight-loss.html
[4] https://researchcommons.waikato.ac.nz/handle/10289/2060
