Raw honey is best described as honey “as it exists in the beehive”.
It is made by extracting honey from the honeycombs of the hive and pouring it over a mesh or nylon cloth to separate the honey from impurities like beeswax and dead bees.
Once strained, raw honey is bottled and ready to be enjoyed.
On the other hand, the production of regular honey involves several more steps before it is bottled — such as pasteurization and filtration.
Pasteurization is a process that destroys the yeast found in honey by applying high heat. This helps extend the shelf life and makes it smoother.
Also, filtration further removes impurities like debris and air bubbles so that the honey stays as a clear liquid for longer. This is aesthetically appealing to many consumers.
Some commercial honeys are additionally processed by undergoing ultrafiltration. This process further refines it to make it more transparent and smooth, but it can also remove beneficial nutrients like pollen, enzymes and antioxidants.
Moreover, some manufacturers may add sugar or sweeteners to honey to reduce costs.
Raw and regular honey are processed quite differently.
This can lead to a variety of distinctions between the two, especially in quality.
Here are the main differences between raw and regular honey.
Raw Honey Is More Nutritious
Raw honey contains a wide variety of nutrients.
It has approximately 22 amino acids, 31 different minerals and a wide range of vitamins and enzymes. However, the nutrients are only present in trace amounts.
What’s most impressive about raw honey is that it contains nearly 30 types of bioactive plant compounds. These are called polyphenols, and they act as antioxidants.
Many studies have linked these antioxidants with impressive health benefits, including reduced inflammation and a lower risk of heart disease and certain cancers.
Conversely, commercial honeys may contain fewer antioxidants due to processing methods.
For example, one study compared the antioxidants in raw and processed honey from a local market. They found that the raw honey contained up to 4.3 times more antioxidants than the processed variety.
Most Regular Honey Doesn’t Contain Any Pollen
Bees travel from flower to flower collecting nectar and pollen.
The nectar and pollen are taken back to the beehive, where they are packed into the honeycomb and eventually become a food source for the bees.
Bee pollen is surprisingly nutritious and contains over 250 substances, including vitamins, amino acids, essential fatty acids, micronutrients and antioxidants.
In fact, the German Federal Ministry of Health recognizes bee pollen as a medicine.
Bee pollen has been linked to many impressive health benefits. Studies have found that it may help fight inflammation and improve liver function. It also has properties that may help fight against heart disease and stroke.
Unfortunately, processing methods like heat treatment and ultrafiltration can remove bee pollen.
Regular Honey May Have Hidden Sugars or Sweeteners
Because honey is so popular, it’s hard to meet this high demand from local suppliers alone. This is why approximately 70% of the honey consumed in Nigeria is adulterated .
However, there is serious concern worldwide about regular honey being contaminated with sugar or other sweeteners like High Fructose Corn Syrup (HFCS).
Honey has been linked to some impressive health benefits.
Studies have found that it may help reduce risk factors for heart disease like blood pressure and cholesterol, improve wound healing and even treat coughs.
However, it’s likely these health benefits are mostly related to raw honey, because it is higher in antioxidants and other beneficial components.
One of these components is an enzyme called glucose oxidase. This enzyme helps produce molecules that give honey its antimicrobial and antibacterial properties
Unfortunately, this enzyme can be destroyed by processes like heating and filtering.
If you want to be sure to get all the health benefits, then you should choose raw honey.
Raw and organic honeys are subject to different regulations in different countries.
Honey that is classified as raw is not allowed to be pasteurized or processed.
Conversely, organic honey must simply come from a bee farm that meets the organic livestock standards of each country like the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA)
This means the bees, flowers and honey are not allowed to come in contact with pesticides, chemicals and other factors that go against the USDA’s criteria.
When it comes to choosing the healthiest honey, you should look for one that is raw.
Raw honeys are not pasteurized and bypass filtration, a process that may reduce its nutrients.
It’s best to buy it from a local beekeeper like Alake Bee Farm (+2348033696345).
Raw and regular honey are processed differently.
Raw honey is only strained before it's bottled, which means it retains most of the beneficial nutrients and antioxidants that it naturally contains.
Conversely, regular honey may undergo a variety of processing, which may remove beneficial nutrients like pollen and reduce its level of antioxidants.
When it comes to choosing a healthy honey, your best bet is to go raw so you know exactly what you are getting.
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