Clover honey is very popular because of its sweet and mild floral taste.
Unlike other common sweeteners such as table sugar, it is rich in antioxidants and anti-inflammatory compounds that may benefit your health.
This article examines the uses, nutrition and health benefits of clover honey.
The origin and uses of clover honey
honey Clover is a thick and sweet syrup made by honey bees that collect the nectar of clover plants. Its mild taste and bright color make it a popular choice among honey lovers.
Clover plants are very common, weather hardy and a preferred nectar source for honeybees, which is why clover honey is widely available.
Clover honey has a more complex flavor than table sugar, and many people use it to sweeten tea, coffee, and desserts.
Additionally, due to the growing interest in healthier alternatives to sugar, food manufacturers are increasingly offering honey-sweetened foods and beverages.
Clover honey is also commonly used in cold and cough remedies and home remedies for its unique health benefits, including its antibacterial properties and soothing effect on sore throats.
Suggested study: What is honey?
Feeding clover honey
Clover honey is high in sugar but also provides some nutrients.
One tablespoon (21 grams) of clover honey contains
- Calories: 60 calories
- Protein: 0 grams
- Fat: 0 grams
- Carbohydrate: 17 grams
This type of honey is mostly carbohydrates in the form of natural sugars. However, it also provides small amounts of various vitamins and minerals, including magnesium, potassium, iron, and zinc.
In addition, it is rich in antioxidant compounds that can be beneficial for your health.
Potential benefits of clover honey
Clover honey has several potential health benefits.
Antiviral and antibacterial potential
Clover and other types of honey have antiviral and antibacterial effects.
In a study that compared the antibacterial capacity of 16 different types of honey, the clover variety had the strongest antibacterial effect against harmful cells. Staphylococcus aureus It was equivalent to a dose of 2.2 mg of the antibiotic kanamycin.
In addition, it is an effective antibacterial dressing for wounds, such as burns and scrapes, because bacteria cannot resist honey.
In a 3-month study in which clover honey was used as a dressing on 30 different diabetic foot ulcers, 43% of the ulcers healed completely and another 43% had a significant reduction in size and bacterial count.
Clover honey may also be a powerful antiviral.
A test tube study showed that applying a 5% solution of clover honey to skin cells infected with the chicken pox virus significantly reduced the survival of the virus.
Keep in mind that fresh, raw honey may have stronger antibacterial properties than varieties that have been pasteurized or stored for a long time.
Rich in antioxidants
Clover honey is full of antioxidants that can prevent or reduce cell damage caused by unstable molecules called free radicals. This may reduce the risk of diseases.
In a rat study, clover honey extract reversed free radical-induced liver damage, possibly due to the antioxidant capacity of the extract.
Clover honey is especially rich in anti-inflammatory flavanol and phenolic acid antioxidants. Flavanols may improve heart and lung health, while phenolic acids strengthen your central nervous system.
Less harmful than table sugar
Although honey is mostly sugar, it has several unique benefits that make it a better choice than table sugar or other sweeteners, such as high fructose corn syrup (HFCS).
Some studies suggest that honey may be better than table sugar for heart health and weight control.
In a 6-week study of 60 people who consumed 70 grams of honey or sugar daily, those in the honey group had higher total cholesterol, bad cholesterol (LDL), and triglycerides, as well as levels of good cholesterol (HDL).
Additionally, one study of 80 children found that a single dose of honey caused a lower blood sugar response than an equal dose of table sugar—including in participants with type 1 diabetes.
However, although honey is healthier than table sugar, it is still an added sugar and should be limited.
Diets high in added sugars—regardless of the type—are linked to obesity and an increased risk of type 2 diabetes, heart disease, and some cancers.
For optimal health, less than 5 percent of your daily calories should come from added sugars.
Comparison with other types of honey
Nutrient content, taste and color of honey depend on the type of nectar as well as processing and storage time.
Besides clover honey, other light-colored and mild-flavored types include alfalfa honey, orange blossom honey, and wild flower honey. These types are similar in terms of antioxidant content.
However, buckwheat and manuka honey, which are often used medicinally, have a darker color and richer flavor, which could be due to their higher mineral and antioxidant content.
Made from a plant native to New Zealand, Manuka honey is also valued for its strong medicinal potential ().
Although it has more antioxidants than clover honey, a test-tube study found that 5 percent manuka and clover honey solutions were equally effective in preventing the spread of the chicken pox virus.
However, if you are using honey for medicinal purposes, you may want to choose a darker variety such as buckwheat or manuka.
raw honey
Raw, unpasteurized, unfiltered honey of any kind is a healthy choice for many people, as it is richer in vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants than pasteurized varieties.
It also contains pollen, which may have benefits such as stimulating the immune system, reducing inflammation, and protecting the liver from free radical damage.
Raw honey, including from clover plants, can be purchased online and in stores.In addition, locally harvested raw honey is available at many farmers markets.
Note that if your immune system is compromised, you should not eat raw honey. In addition, honey products should not be given to children under one year of age due to the risk of serious illness.
final word
Clover honey is a popular, light-colored, mild-flavored type of honey that provides a variety of vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants.
It may have strong antiviral, antibacterial and anti-inflammatory effects.
Although it is slightly healthier than table sugar, it should be used in moderation.
Source : healthline.com
