What are the benefits of honey for the stomach?
Does it really help in treating various stomach problems such as acid reflux? Or stomach ulcer?
You may have many questions now...
Therefore, let us answer these questions in detail based on the scientific research and experiments that have been published in international scientific journals.
But let's be honest first...
Can honey help treat stomach problems?
According to many studies that we reviewed, we found that honey actually contributes to the treatment of many stomach, colon, and digestive system problems.
Many studies actually talk about honey's ability to reduce the activity of digestive and colon bacteria.
Some few studies have also indicated the role of honey in treating and reducing the severity of the effects of stomach ulcers.
So the answer is yes, honey may help treat stomach problems.
Benefits of honey for the stomach
The benefits that we will share with you in this section have been confirmed by some scientific studies.
You will find sources that support each of these benefits as we talk about them.
So let's start quickly and learn about the first benefit of honey in treating stomach problems, which is...
1- Treating the problem of gastric acid reflux
Unfortunately, there are very few studies that support the benefits of honey for the stomach in this context.
However, it is possible to treat the complications of esophageal reflux problem, such as perianal congestion, and relieve the chest pain that accompanies this reflux problem.
We even already have several honey-based decongestant remedies like strepsils.
Therefore, we can consider honey as a natural auxiliary substance.
In a previous study published by the National Center for Bioinformatics (NCBI), you can find the information that we mentioned above.
2- Treating stomach ulcers
The most important stomach problems are stomach ulcers and Helicobacter pylori bacteria.
In research that analyzed more than 30 studies on the role of honey in reducing the effects of stomach ulcers and H pylori infection, we found honey nominated as a natural substance that actually helps in treating this problem.
Another study we found actually shared the possibility of using honey as a potential treatment for stomach ulcers.
But despite these studies, they are not definitively confirmed, and we certainly need many experiments and research before adopting honey as an official treatment for stomach ulcers.
So...
You should first consult your doctor before starting to use honey as a treatment for your stomach problems.
3- Balancing stomach acid
If you suffer from acidity, this is one of the stomach problems that honey can help relieve.
The pH of the stomach ranges between 1.5 and 2. Honey is considered a simple antacid that may raise the pH of the stomach up to 3 due to its pH, which ranges between 3.2 and 4.5 . Some studies indicate its ability to adjust the pH of the stomach and get rid of that acidity.
However, it is still considered an acidic substance, so there is no confirmed evidence of its ability to neutralize acidity.
In another study, honey was referred to due to its density and viscosity as a substance that contributes to the formation of a layer that covers the wall of the stomach and esophagus, and thus contributes to protecting them from stomach acid when it refluxes.
4- Treating esophageal wounds caused by acid
Stomach acid is a strong substance that may cause many wounds and infections to the esophageal wall.
Because honey is rich in:
- Antibacterials.
- Anti-inflammatories.
- Metals.
- Antioxidants.
Certainly, in addition to its high viscosity, some research has appeared that indicates the ability of honey to accelerate the healing process of the esophageal ulcer.
Another study we also reviewed pointed to the anti-inflammatory properties of honey, and its ability to prevent infections, including esophageal infections.
This is certainly far from the many studies that indicate the ability of honey to improve many colon and digestive system problems and neutralize the bacteria present in it that may cause many problems such as diarrhea.
Now let's move on to talk about...
The best types of honey for the stomach
As usual, we will tell you that the best type of honey for the stomach and for others is raw honey.
This is simply because it contains all the benefits of minerals, enzymes, etc....
But some medical conditions, specifically digestive system problems such as Crohn's disease or irritable colitis, initially require consulting a doctor before starting to use honey.
As for the best type of honey, there are no recommendations for any specific honey.
But...
Many of the studies we reviewed talk extensively about Manuka honey.
Now let's get to know...
Side effects resulting from the use of honey
According to many scientific studies, raw natural honey is considered one of the natural materials that is safe to use for almost everyone.
However, the use of honey by children under one year old may pose some risks to their health.
This is mainly due to some types of beneficial bacteria present in it, which the immature digestive and immune system of infants cannot deal with.
Therefore, we always advise against offering honey to infants in any form, to avoid these health problems.
It is also important to consider that natural honey may contain other ingredients such as:
- Pollen.
- beeswax.
Some people suffer from some types of allergies to these ingredients.
Therefore, you must first ensure that you do not have any type of allergy to these ingredients.
If you did not know and have already used honey and noticed some problems, you should stop eating honey immediately and consult your doctor.
Now let's get to know...
How to use honey for the stomach?
There are no specific ways to use honey for the stomach. You can eat honey directly, specifically a teaspoon of it.
Or you can simply add a spoonful of honey to a cup of water and then drink it.
In these two ways, you get the benefits of honey for the stomach.
This was the end of our journey into the benefits of honey for the stomach.
If you have any questions about honey or any other ingredient, you can simply contact us or leave your comment and we will provide you with all the information you need using scientific sources.