For more than 5,000 years honey has been known for its medicinal and health benefits. These therapeutic qualities have been confirmed by recent medical studies:
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Honey contains antioxidants that are essential to protect the body against free radicals. A daily dose of honey - even just a spoonful - boost the immune system.
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Honey provides natural food energy. With just 64 calories and 17 carbohydrates in each tablespoon (15ml), honey is released into the body at a steady rate. Sports nutritionists have found that consuming honey before exercise increases endurance and reduces muscle fatigue.
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Honey is a natural antiseptic. By absorbing moisture around wounds, honey prevents the growth of bacteria and helps keeps cuts and minor burns clean and free from infection.
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Honey helps digestion. The anti-bacterial properties of honey are effective in treating digestive problems such as peptic ulcers.
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Honey helps the body absorb calcium so it's the healthy choice for people who are concerned about osteoporosis.
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Honey contains no fat and provides essential minerals - iron, copper, sodium, potassium, manganese and phosphorus.
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Honey is a consumer's most ethical and environmentally friendly choice, according to agricultural researchers here in Canada and around the world.
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Recent energy life-cycle studies from Sweden show it takes less energy to produce domestic honey than to refine sugar from beets or sugar cane.
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Sugar cane, corn and beets need more fertilizer, pesticides and irrigation than any other field crops.
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By contrast, Canadian beekeepers leave virtually no trace on farm ecosystems.
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Canadian honey's main floral sources are alfalfa and clover, which naturally fix nitrogen into our soil and reduce our reliance on fossil-fuel-based fertilizers.
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Honey wins over other sweetners which it comes to the energy needed in refining because honey has no refining step. Beekeepers just spin honey out of the honeycomb.
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Domestic honey travels the least distance to get to Canadian consumers. This is important because the environmental costs of transporting food can rival the costs of processing.
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Refined sugar takes an incredible journey to reach Canadians, Canada imports 90% of its sugar.
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When Canadians buy table sugar they not only may be buying an imported product, but often a sweetner produced by labourers working in terrible conditions. Canadians who buy domestic honey supports beekeepers who own their own businesses and help keep our rural communities vibrant.