Raw Honey or Natural Honey is an all-natural and readily available option with many possible health benefits. Some evidence suggests that honey helps reduce the risk of heart disease and diabetes and supports a healthy gut.  Other research has found that honey might be a good alternative to antibiotics.

Honey comes from nectar, which flowers produce to attract bees to them. Bees suck the nectar from flowers and store it in their stomachs.

Later, bees will pass the nectar to other bees through their mouths. As the bees pass the nectar, the sugary substance turns into honey. Then, the bees store the final product in honeycomb cells.

Raw honey is honey that has not undergone high levels of processing or filtration. Raw honey is better for you than store-bought honey. It has more natural properties and may contain pollen, propolis, beeswax, and other beneficial compounds for your health.

Key characteristics of raw honey include:

1. Raw honey is not heated or pasteurized, keeping its natural enzymes, vitamins, and antioxidants intact during processing.
2. Contains Pollen and Propolis: Pollen and propolis are often present in raw honey, adding potential nutritional and health benefits. However, the amount of pollen can vary depending on the honey's source and processing methods.

Raw honey and processed honey differ in their production methods, nutritional content, flavor profiles, and appearance. Here are the key distinctions between raw honey and processed honey:

Processing 

1. Raw Honey: It is minimally processed and is not heated or pasteurized. Raw honey is usually only strained to remove large particles like beeswax and bee parts.

• Processed Honey: Commercially processed honey typically undergoes filtration, pasteurization, and sometimes additional heating. Filtration removes impurities, while pasteurization involves heating the honey to destroy yeast cells and prevent fermentation.

Heat Exposure

1. Raw honey is not heated much during processing, keeping its natural enzymes, antioxidants, and other beneficial compounds intact.

• Processed honey is heated during pasteurization, which can reduce its natural benefits.

Texture

• Raw Honey: Has a thicker consistency, and it may crystallize over time. Crystallization is a natural process that does not affect the quality of the honey.
• Processed honey is smoother and more liquid because it's been filtered and pasteurized to stop it from crystallizing.

Keeping blood sugar low: Raw Honey has a lower glycemic index than sugar. This means it doesn't cause a sudden increase in blood sugar and insulin levels. ( Please check with your physician first )

This helps to keep them low. Remember thou, consume in moderation. In contrast, honey helps enhance insulin sensitivity.

Research has shown that honey can prevent weight gain if moderately consumed. While, yes, eating more of a food will give you more of the nutrients found in that food, honey is still a sugar.

The American Heart Association suggests men have no more than 9 teaspoons of sugar per day, and women have 6. Men should not consume more than 9 teaspoons of sugar a day according to the AHA. Women should limit their sugar intake to no more than 6 teaspoons per day as per the AHA's recommendation.

Improving lipid metabolism: Raw Honey lowers blood levels of triglycerides and LDL ("bad") cholesterol and raises HDL cholesterol. Too much total cholesterol can build up in the arteries, leading to heart problems.

Reducing oxidative stress: Honey's anti-oxidative properties help reduce oxidative stress. Oxidative stress is an imbalance between cell-damaging free radicals and the body's ability to counter their harmful effects.

Raw Honey contains over 180 substances, including natural sugars, vitamins, minerals, and phytochemical. Honey's antioxidant and anti-inflammatory compounds help protect against atherosclerosis.

Atherosclerosis is the buildup of fatty substances in the arteries. That buildup hardens over time and blocks blood flow to your body. Atherosclerosis is a risk factor for coronary artery disease (CAD) if the buildup prevents blood flow to your heart. CAD raises the risk of angina and heart attack.

Raw Honey may act as an inexpensive alternative to antibiotics. A 2020 study found that honey is more effective than store-bought medicines and antibiotics for reducing cough frequency and severity. 

Concern over antimicrobial resistance, partly linked to overprescribing antibiotics for upper respiratory tract infections (URIs), prompted the examination.

Antimicrobial resistance occurs when viruses, bacteria, or fungi stop responding to treatments. That's a great concern because it limits the treatment options for URIs and other infections.

A study published in 2017 found that honey may hold the key to curbing antimicrobial resistance. The researchers discovered that an antimicrobial compound from honeybees could become the basis for new antibiotics.

A review published in 2017 found that honey possesses prebiotic properties.  Prebiotics help ferment healthy gut bacteria. For example, Lactobacilli is a type of "good" bacteria that aids in breaking down food and absorbing nutrients.