There’s no doubt that honey is one of the healthiest foods on the planet. This food is also called liquid gold that can heal your whole body. Since Middle Ages many European folk healers have recommended drinking a cup of warm milk with a teaspoon of honey before bedtime.
Also, a teaspoon of honey with chamomile before bed has been prescribed by traditional Mexican healers. And nowadays we are usually warned that we should not consume anything after 7 or 8 p.m. Well, what should we do now? In this article we will tell you something more about honey and its health benefits if you consume it at night. Does honey help you sleep?
Will honey make you fat if you consume it late at night? Why is it good to eat honey before sleeping?
In this article you will get the answers to these questions. If you love honey, you will also like this article, so let’s start.
More about Honey
Honey has been known as a golden medicine since long ago. Honey is a natural anti-bacterial agent and it has wound-healing and anti-inflammatory properties. It has the ability to fight infections and it has been historically used in emergency medicine.
Honey is also a great remedy for inflammatory acne and it is used in many organic shampoos and soaps. Also, honey is anti-diabetic agent, which is known to reduce blood glucose levels. Honey is a great remedy for common cold and it is used in treating many upper respiratory tract infections. Due to its antimicrobial properties, honey can also deal with drug-resistant bacteria. We all know that honey is effective in treating many health issues, but can it improve the quality of sleep? Just continue reading and you will find out.
Is It Good To Eat Honey Before Bed?
If you also love eating honey before bed, then we have great news for you. It is proved that raw organic honey can do miracles for you if you consume it right before you go to sleep. If you are afraid that sugar content in honey will cause weight gain, you don’t have to worry.
Actually, sugar will have an opposite effect and it will help your body burn fat more quickly. Also, sugar will allow your liver to process toxins more effectively. It may sound crazy, but it is true. Below you will see more about the health benefits of honey before bed.
Why Is It Important To Eat Before Bed?
Not only can you eat before bed, but it is also very beneficial for your health. You just need to think smart and to choose the right food. While we rest our liver is working hard to repair our bodies so the liver must have enough fuel at any time. This fuel is called glycogen. It is known that the liver of an adult person can store only about 75 grams of glycogen and your body consumes it rapidly, so it takes about 10 grams of glycogen per hour. This is not a problem if you have regular meals throughout the day, but if you don’t eat after 6, 7 or 8 p.m. then you could have a problem. For example, if you don’t eat from 7 p.m. until 10 a.m., your liver glycogen levels will be low or completely depleted. In this case your brain is forced to activate stress hormones, which can lead to weight gain and many health issues. Also, if you are hungry during the night, you will not have quality sleep.
Which Are the Health Benefits of Eating Honey Before Bed?
Honey Helps in the Release of Sleeping Hormone. We have already said that honey can be a great bedtime snack. Honey causes a small spike in insulin levels and it is known that insulin can stimulate the release of tryptophan in the brain. Tryptophan will be later converted to serotonin, the hormone of relaxation and good mood. Later, serotonin will be converted to melatonin, which will inhibit the release of insulin and it will stabilize your blood sugar levels during the night. Also, this hormone will improve your immune system and repair your tissues during the rest. As you can see, if you eat honey at night, it will cause only a mild elevation of blood sugar levels. Honey will help you fall asleep much faster and it will revitalize your body.
Honey Keeps the Liver Full. We have already said that our liver needs fuel during the night, so honey can be a perfect choice. Honey will make the liver produce glucose, which will force the release of many fat-burning and other hormones. It is known that your brain uses a lot of energy during the night, so a little sugar before bed will help your brain function better. It is proved that raw honey contains an ideal ratio of fructose and glucose, which is great for liver functioning during the night. As you can see, honey ensures an adequate supply of liver glycogen, so your brain will not have a crisis search for fuel during the night, as we have already mentioned above.
Honey Helps In Weight Loss. As we have already said, honey acts as a fuel for our liver and it makes the liver produce glucose. If you consume honey before bed, your body will begin to burn more fat during the night. Raw honey contains only 64 calories per cup and it is fat free. Also, honey will give you a feeling of satiety throughout the night and you will not be hungry.
Honey Acts As a Cough Surpressant. We have already mentioned that honey is a great remedy for all common cold symptoms. It is especially beneficial for treating nighttime cough in children. It is shown that children with nighttime cough coughed less frequently when they received 2 teaspoons of honey 30 minutes before bed.
These are some of the health benefits of eating honey before bed. It is recommended to eat raw honey rather than cooked. If you take one or two teaspoons of raw honey before you go to bed, it will improve your sleep, but it is important not to combine honey with protein. You can also mix a teaspoon of honey with hot water every night before you go to bed. This will make you full and help you lose weight.
Summary
Although it is not good to eat many foods at night, honey is a great healthy option for your bedtime snack. Not only will honey improve your sleep quality, but it will also improve your overall health.
Honey has been known for its health benefits since long ago and it can also be very beneficial if you consume it before bed. Honey will increase the production of serotonin and it will make you feel good. Also, it will eliminate any stress or anxiety and you will sleep better. Honey will keep your liver full, so your blood sugar levels will not spike too much.
Also, your body will burn fat faster, which can help you in weight loss. You can eat honey at night without feeling guilty. But, you should always choose raw organic honey because it is always the healthiest option. Enjoy honey as your bedtime snack and you will stay healthy.
