Honey is a really great substitute for sugar and has a lot of excellent health benefits if - IF you buy it raw, organic & local. It’s actually really important that you buy good honey because most store bought honey has little to no pollen, propolis, enzymes or nutrients in it. Basic store bought honey has been so finely filtered in order to keep it from crystalizing thus removing almost all of the pollen (side note, you can de-crystalize your honey by warming it up in the sun). The mass produced honey has been changed so dramatically from it's original form that the FDA has questioned whether or not it can still claim the name honey.
Pollen is also the only element that helps us trace where the product is coming from. Tracing is helpful because a lot of the honey is coming from China with potential contaminants and honey from bees treated with antibiotics, which we do not need more of in our diets. Farmers markets are a great place to get the real deal honey bear.
Local honey is also a great thing to buy when you travel if you have allergies. Once you arrive in a new place try to quickly get a hold of a spoon full of local honey because it will expose and adjust your body to the local pollens and help you acclimate more quickly.
Honey is also great to aid in topical healing. You can put it in a bandaid over a cut, or cover a canker sores for quicker healing. You can put it on areas of your skin and rinse it off to help with acne, dark circles, scars and wrinkles.
Honey does not spike your sugar like refined white sugars do avoiding an elevated insulin release. It can also helps you sleep because it slowly releases glycogen needed for bodily function during sleep. If you add it to milk before bed it helps the body release melatonin, so you can sleep well Honey Bee.
Raw Honey has so many health benefits my mom just takes a teaspoon of it every morning. With so many proteins vitamins and minerals it would do you good to put a spoonful or in your coffee as it one of nature's most complete health foods. It's alkaline forming, boosts the immune system, cough suppressant, aids in blood sugar and cholesterol regulation & can calm an upset stomach.
How many times did I just say honey? A lot. Honey.
Sources: Life Hacker // Dr. Axe // Organic Facts // FDA // US National Library of Medicine