Honey properties
Honey is the most valuable product from bees which has been consumed by mankind over a period of centuries. 
What is honey?
Honey is a supersaturated solution of sugars, mainly fructose, glucose, and maltose-like sugars, with traces of sucrose, glucose oxidase, hydrogen peroxide, phenolics, flavonoids, terpenes, etc. The sugars make honey hydroscopic (moisture absorbing) and viscous and the sugar concentration plus other factors including low ph, hydrogen peroxide. The flavanoids, phenolic and terpenes make honey antimicrobial or prevent microbal growth.
The main use of honey is as a flavorful sweetener and enegy source which is eaten with and as a component of a wide variety of foods.
Secondary, uses of honey are for the promotion of health and well being. Some of these uses include aiding in the healing of wounds, healing of serious skin burns and healing gastric ulcers. It is known that Egyptians used honey for healing wounds 3500 years ago.
Today it is proved that the basis for the wound and burn healing properties of honey is its antibacterial, moisturizing - fluid removal and oxygen barrier properties.
Honey is successfully used in folk medicine at present. It is normally taken with hot tea and milk as a sudorific remedy against cold, as a light laxative etc.
Healing properties of honey are provided by a high concentration of glucose which is not only a highly nutritional component but also increases protective function of liver, strengthens cardiovascular system and builds up body resistibility towards infections, stimulates immune system.
Healing properties of honey are also provided by high contents of vitamins, microelements, minerals and anti-bacterial substances.
Honey is more digestible that ordinary sugar and is a very valuable dietary product, this is why it is recommended to patients who require a nourishing diet.
Average Composition
of Honey Average Amount in
100 grams Honey :
Energy 312 kilocalories
Fructose 38.50gm
Glucose 31.00gm
Water 17.10gm
Maltose 7.20gm
Sucrose 1.50gm
Thiamin < 0.006mg
Riboflavin < 0.06mg
Niacin < 0.36mg
Pantothenic acid < 0.11mg
Pyridoxine < 0.32mg
Ascorbic acid 2.2 - 2.4mg
Enzymes Invertase, Diastase, Glucose oxidase
Calcium 4.40 - 9.20mg
Copper 0.003 - 0.10mg
Iron 0.06 - 1.50mg
Magnesium 1.20 - 3.50mg
Manganese 0.02 - 0.40mg
Phosphorus 1.90 - 6.30mg
Potassium 13.20 - 168.00mg
Sodium 0.00 - 7.60mg
Zinc 0.03 - 0.40mg
Trace elements, Nitrogen, Acids: Present
Honey grades used in Australia
|
Pfund honey colour grader range (mm) |
Australian official grade |
|
|
0 to 34 |
white |
|
|
34 to 48 |
extra light amber |
|
|
48 to 65 |
light amber |
|
|
65 to 83 |
pale amber |
|
|
83 to 100 |
medium amber |
|
|
100 to 114 |
amber |
|
|
above 114 |
dark amber |
|
