- Composition and benefits
- Contraindications
- Methods of use
- Helpful tips
- Best recipes
- Questions and answers
Honey – rich in carbohydrates, and fat-free – due to its high vitamin content is used as a medicine and to treat many diseases. And due to its antioxidants, it is widely used in cosmetology. It is quite high in calories with 100g containing about 330kcal, but despite the sweetness and high energy value, it is still used in many dietary methods.
It is time to dispel the myths and reveal the secrets – is honey really good for weight loss, or is this another ploy from the modern world, which seeks to make everyone slim and fit.
Composition and benefits
Due to the unique composition of this beekeeping product, its beneficial properties are capable of having a weight loss effect, even despite its high calorie content and the presence of glucose and fructose in it. It also contains a huge number of vitamins and other substances that activate metabolism, blood circulation, stimulate the functioning of the excretory systems and, most importantly, contribute to the burning of subcutaneous fat stores.
If you do not overeat, follow the proportions, and know how to combine it with other dietary products, you can achieve excellent results with honey.
- Antioxidants
During weight loss, fat molecules in the body gradually break down. As a result, free radicals are released, which are known to have a negative impact on health. So, not for nothing, all doctors unanimously oppose any weight loss techniques that deplete the body.
Eating honey during this period enriches the cells with antioxidants (these include catalase, halogens, pinovasin, chrysin, and pinocembrin), which are able to neutralize these harmful free radicals. From this point of view, nutritionists strongly recommend choosing dark varieties for weight loss. They contain more antioxidants compared to light varieties.
- Nutrients
During weight loss, the body loses not only weight but also nutrients and energy. This can often lead to weakness, decreased performance, dizziness and other unpleasant side effects. This can be avoided if you consume a small amount of honey daily during your diet. After all, it contains many vitamins (pyridoxine, riboflavin, acids: ascorbic, pantothenic, nicotinic) and minerals (iron, calcium, phosphorus, magnesium, potassium, zinc, etc.).
- Glucose
Another component of honey – glucose – successfully fights the above-described problem of loss of strength. Together with fructose, they become a useful, natural and much-needed source of energy for the body during the difficult period of weight loss. The main thing is not to overdo it, otherwise all their benefits will turn into fat stores.
- Glycemic index
Any product consumed by a person affects the blood sugar level in their body in one way or another. If it greatly increases within a few minutes after food enters the stomach, nutritionists speak of its high glycemic index (hereinafter referred to as GI). This leads to an increased appetite and the deposition of fat. But if the GI of food is low, sugar enters the blood slowly and in portions, without causing hunger and without provoking the formation of treacherous folds.
The glycemic index of honey is approximately 50 to 70 (the indicator depends on the variety), and it is considered one of the lowest. Therefore, it is recommended to actively use it to lose belly fat, which is the most problematic area on a woman’s body.
So, the benefits of honey as a means of intensive weight loss are not a myth, despite all its sweetness and high calorie content. This is a scientifically proven fact that is beyond doubt. But why do we sometimes come across reviews in which it is said that this product only makes you gain weight? Most likely, it is simply being used incorrectly.
Etymology. According to one version, honey is a word of Greek origin: “μέθυ” translates as “intoxicating drink”. This is due to the fact that it used to be considered almost the only product from which relatively strong alcoholic beverages could be made. Some researchers find ancient Hebrew roots in this word and translate it as “magic potion”.
Contraindications
In order for weight loss with honey to live up to the hopes placed on it, it is necessary to adhere to the contraindications for its active use. One sandwich per month is unlikely to cause any serious changes in your body. But a weight loss course involves its regular use: in dishes, drinks (for example, with ginger water), as an external anti-cellulite agent.
As a result, its effect will intensify with each passing day. And those organs and systems which cannot function at full strength due to health conditions begin to fail, the state of health worsens, and you have to admit defeat in the fight against excess weight.
So, remember the contraindications for this method of weight loss:
- diabetes
- tendency to allergies
- any lung diseases: pneumosclerosis, emphysema, pulmonary infarction, bronchial asthma, tuberculosis, obstructive bronchitis, bleeding of any origin
- problems with the cardiovascular system: cardiac asthma, heart disease, myocarditis
- improper functioning of the stomach: pancreatitis, peptic ulcer of any part, enterocolitis, gastritis
- cholelithiasis/urolithiasis
- rheumatism
- cholecystitis
- any types of dermatitis and diathesis
Each of these diseases is so serious that their exacerbations will not pass without harm to health in the future. So no figure, even the slimmest, is worth such sacrifices. First, undergo an examination, make an appointment with a doctor if you have any doubts. If you have one of these contraindications, you will have to give up losing weight with honey and find another way to correct your figure.
Interesting fact. Honey is one of the few products that does not spoil. Thus, in the tomb of Pharaoh Tutankhamun (1330 BC), an amphora with this amazing product was found, and throughout all these centuries it has not lost its taste and useful properties.
Methods of use
In order to use honey as a means of weight loss, you need to understand the methods of its application. There are quite a few of them, and each has its own distinctive features.
Independent dietary product
You can use honey as an independent weight loss product. In order for it to start the necessary processes in the body, it can be used according to specially developed schemes:
- drink honey on an empty stomach in the morning: 1 tbsp, diluted with a glass of water
- honey water half an hour before breakfast
- honey tea between meals
- a tablespoon of honey at night will make the stomach work harder, leaving no fat in reserve
But it must be understood that if you do not restrict yourself in nutrition, none of these schemes will work. And we are not talking about strict diets. All you need to do is observe the daily regimen and adhere to the principles of proper nutrition. The absence of harmful products in the diet, backed up by the regular consumption of honey, will show you fantastic results on the scales in just a month.
As part of a diet
If in the previous case there will not be so many lost kilograms (3-4 per month), then much more can be achieved by using honey on a weight loss diet. Moreover, it can be any – protein, carbohydrate, fat, etc.
This product will become an excellent support for the body during this difficult period for it. At the very least, it will not feel a lack of nutrients and will not provoke a decline in strength. Possible applications:
- instead of sugar to sweeten tea or coffee
- drink honey and raw water in the morning on an empty stomach or between meals
- as a relaxant – in the evening
- a teaspoon for breakfast, lunch and dinner
