By Dean L. Jones<\/p>\n
Honey is worthy of consideration as an alternative to eating crystal sugar to help satisfy that sweet taste.\u00a0 Honey is a natural sugar that breaks down as about 30% glucose and 40% fructose, where the remaining 30% is made up of about 20 other sugars in the mix, many of which are much more complex, and dextrin, a type of starchy fiber.<\/p>\n
What is cool about honey is that depending on the honey’s source it could have varying small amounts of minerals like zinc and selenium, as well as some vitamins. \u00a0Honey Bees pick these trace elements up while going from plant to plant.\u00a0 The main thing is that as long as it is consumed mildly like just a spoonful in tea then it is far superior to that of eating processed sugar.<\/p>\n
The challenge is that without pollinators, 95% of sugary treats would essentially disappear.\u00a0 And there exists some really bad news about honey that results from the diminishing number of pollinators such as bees and butterflies.\u00a0 This is due to how pollinators including hummingbirds, flies, beetles and moths help in the production of nearly 75% of agricultural crops and an equal proportion of flowering plants.\u00a0 Consequently, foods like chocolate, vanilla, coffee, almonds and berries are not available without pollinators.<\/p>\n
A number of the go to fruits from apples, lemons, watermelons, carrots and avocado all rely on pollinators.\u00a0 Pollinators produce foods for cows like alfalfa and clover, which makes it easy to understand how over $15 billion a year in food production is dependent on pollinators.\u00a0 As a result, President Barack Obama established a task force a couple of years ago designed to aid in the favorable changes for pollinators.\u00a0 Included in this move addresses the eastern monarch butterflies that are at risk of extinction within 20 years. \u00a0Likewise, a lethal fungus plaguing bats has spread to the west coast.<\/p>\n
This entire decline in the health of bees has encouraged individuals to step and contribute to raising bees at their residence.\u00a0 For example, this demand in beekeeping pushed Los Angeles to amend its laws allowing single-family backyards to conduct beekeeping.\u00a0 Of course a water source and raised walls or hedges are required so bees will not venture to the neighbors\u2019 property to get hydrated.<\/p>\n
Honey has many health benefits, and most important it comes complete with an immune system boosting power.\u00a0 Honey contains antioxidant and anti-bacterial properties that can help improve the digestive system and fight off disease. \u00a0In the same way, honey helps fight cancer by having carcinogen-preventing and anti-tumor properties.<\/p>\n
Recently, I learned of a plant-based honey that may be eaten to allow bees to regain in health and population.\u00a0 It is sold under the brand name Bee Free Honee that is produced as a sustainable, liquid sweetener made from apples.\u00a0 Another sweet alternative in living SugarAlert!<\/p>\n