One of the God-designed sweets is honey. If this delightful stuff is mentioned in the King James Version of the Bible, surely it is a sweetener that has been created for food.

Honey is mentioned in an Old Testament Messianic prophecy:

"Therefore the Lord himself shall give you a sign; Behold a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel. Butter and honey shall he eat, that he may know to refuse the evil, and choose the good" (Isaiah 7:14-15).

Sanctioned as it is by the prophet's prediction of Jesus - the Messiah - we are certainly to assume that honey is intended to be food for us. After all, if Jesus and John the Baptist ate it, it's good enough for me!

In nearly all references to honey, it is mentioned in a positive connotation. For example:

"My son, eat thou honey, because it is good; and the honeycomb, which is sweet to thy taste" (Proverbs 24:13).

Some think that honey is great for our health. On the other hand, some health professionals say honey in the diet makes little difference. Let's look at the benefits of honey next.

The Benefits of Honey

Regarding the health benefits of honey, I had a conversation with a physician who owns one of he largest honey suppliers in our country. He maintained there was no difference between his honey and sugar.

Another study indicated many differences between honey and refined sugar. Researchers found 165 ingredients in honey, very few of which are found in sugar. They were unable to determine all the functions of these associated food factors contained in honey. We do know, however, that honey contains various enzymes, minerals, amino acids and vitamins that aid in digestion. Also, the biblical references to the fact that honey provides good nourishment are difficult to refute.

Many challenge studies have pointed to the superior value of raw honey as compared to dextrose sugar and other sugars. Diabetics can sometimes tolerate honey better than refined sugars. Honey certainly has more nutritional value than other sugar-packed products; it is also absorbed more slowly than sugar.

We should note, however, that honey also has a substance in it that causes nausea if too much is eaten. This ingredient probably prevents "spikes" or abrupt elevations in blood glucose from overeating.

Scripture provided this warning all along:

"Hast thou found honey? Eat so much as is sufficient for thee, lest thou be filled there with, and vomit it" (Proverbs 25:16).

Did Solomon speak from personal experience? Or was he a biochemist? Or was he just divinely inspired?

Scripture leaves no doubt about the health value of honey.

"Pleasant words are as a honeycomb, sweet to the soul, and health to the bones" (Proverbs 16:24).

Honey contains 18 amino acids, each helpful to humans. Proline, an amino acid that is most highly concentrated in honey, is the primary component in collagen. Collagen is the main structure in bone. Read Proverbs 16:24 above one more time.

Calcium is found in two forms in honey. Eleven other valuable minerals are also present.

Should we eat the honeycomb or the honey? Honey freed from the comb or heated loses its amino acids, including proline - which remains as long as the honey is in the comb.

The high osmolarity of honey - its ability to permeate cell membranes - enables it to kill bacteria and other germs by pulling all fluids through the cell membrane. In addition, some natural antibiotics in honey work as an effective element in cleaning infected open wounds.

Based on these components in honey, and even the unique hexagonal design of the honeycomb, it's obvious to me that God's designed a unique nutrient for our bodies.

The Gift of Honey

I can hear some of you saying, "What about processed honey?"

Raw or unheated honey in its comb is preferable. Some producers heat and strain the honey to take it more liquid for bottling purposes. This heating destroys some of the valued properties in the honey. Long ago in the ancient writings of the Ayurvedic healers of India, heated honey was thought to be harmful. I'm not sure what qualities are lost once it is heated, but certainly the
enzymes could be denatured. I don't think much damage is done at proper cooking temperatures, but no research has been done to demonstrate either way.

Honey is also sometimes strained to remove pollen and other ingredients. Pollen is loaded with nutrients. It is used as a supplement by many people. Honey is healthier when the pollen is not removed.

So as you can see, I think honey is a great sweetener, especially when it is raw. In next month's article, we'll discuss some other sweeteners that are useful, and some that are not.
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DISCLAIMER: The information in the Healthy Living Tip of the Week is intended for educational
and inspirational purposes only and neither Hudson Productions nor Rex Russell M.D. is offering medical advice. Please consult your physician for all medical, nutritional and health care advice. Hudson Productions and Rex Russell M.D. are not liable for any medical decisions made by the reader.

Rex Russell, M.D. is an expert on the Bible and nutrition.  Dr. Russell shares these principles in his book What the Bible Says About Healthy Living and through Healthy Living conferences.  Dr. Russell’s teachings have been endorsed by a variety of Christian leaders including Gary Smalley, Dr. Adrian Rogers, and Bill Bright to name a few.  For more information, go to www.bibleandhealth.com.