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Writer's pictureAutumn Perry

The Benefits of Local Honey

Local honey has been cherished for centuries, not just for its delicious taste, but also for its numerous health benefits. Sourced from nearby beekeepers, local honey offers unique advantages compared to mass-produced varieties found on supermarket shelves. In this post, we'll explore the benefits of choosing local honey and how it can contribute to a healthier lifestyle and a thriving local community.



Bee on flower | local honey | Colorado skincare | NoCo Apothecary


Rich in Antioxidants


Local honey is more than just a sweet treat. Honey is a powerful source of antioxidants that can benefit both your body from the inside out (Ahmed et al., 2018). The antioxidants in local honey, such as flavonoids and phenolic acids, help protect your body from oxidative stress and free radicals. By consuming local honey, you're fortifying your immune system, reducing inflammation, and supporting overall health, all while enjoying a delicious natural product.


The antioxidant benefits of local honey extend to your skincare routine as well. Honey is known for its soothing and moisturizing properties, which can help improve your skin's appearance and texture. Try our Bee-Sweet Body Butter to experience these benefits firsthand. Its antioxidants also work to counteract environmental damage to your skin, aiding in the prevention of premature aging and promoting a youthful, healthy glow. In fact, honey has been used for centuries in wound care because it's unique healing properties (Ahmed et al., 2018).



Allergy Relief


One of the most celebrated benefits of local honey is its potential to alleviate seasonal allergies. Research, such as a pilot study published in the International Archives of Allergy and Immunology, suggests that honey containing local pollen can help improve allergy symptoms (Saarinen et al., 2011). Local honey contains small amounts of pollen from the area, which, when consumed regularly, can help your body build up a tolerance to local allergens. This, in turn, may reduce allergy symptoms such as sneezing, itching, and watery eyes. To reap the full benefits, it's important to choose honey produced by bees in your region, as it will contain the specific pollen to which you may be allergic.


Natural Energy Booster


Honey is a natural source of carbohydrates and sugars, which makes it a fantastic energy booster. A tablespoon of honey contains about 17 grams of carbohydrates and 61 calories, primarily from fructose and glucose (USDA). Consuming local honey can provide your body with a quick and sustainable source of energy, perfect for a pre-workout snack or a mid-afternoon pick-me-up. Plus, honey's natural sugars are more easily absorbed by the body than processed sugars, making it a healthier alternative to energy drinks or other sugary snacks. Additionally, honey contains small amounts of vitamins, minerals, and amino acids, which contribute to its overall nutritional value and further support your health and well-being.



Beekeeping supplies on a table outside | local honey | Colorado skincare | NoCo Apothecary


Supports Local Beekeepers and the Environment


When you purchase local honey, you're doing more than just enjoying a sweet treat. You're supporting local families, like mine, and contributing to a sustainable local economy. By choosing local, you're backing small-scale beekeepers who prioritize the well-being of their bees and the environment. On our property, we steer clear of pesticides, opting for natural pest management to maintain a healthy and sustainable environment for our bees.

Contrastingly, commercial beekeeping can pose significant dangers to bees. In these operations, bees are often transported to different orchards sprayed with harmful pesticides. These chemicals, while intended to protect crops, can inadvertently poison the very bees we rely on for pollination. As bees gather pollen, they unknowingly ingest these toxins, which can weaken their immune systems and cause entire colonies to perish.

By supporting local honey production, you're indirectly safeguarding these vital pollinators and the crucial role they play in our ecosystem. So, as you savor the health benefits of local honey, remember that you're also making a positive impact on your body, your community, and the environment. You can also support us by trying our Bee-Sweet Body Butter, a product we're product we're proud to offer from our local hives.



Unique Flavor Profiles


Local honey brings the unique flora of your region right to your taste buds. Unlike mass-produced honey, local honey captures the essence of your local landscape in its flavor. This is because the types of flowers and plants visited by the bees directly influence the honey's taste. From wildflowers to fruit trees, every plant visited by bees contributes to the distinctive, nuanced flavor profile of the honey they produce. The result is a sweet symphony of flavors that mass-produced honey simply cannot replicate. Each jar of local honey offers a taste experience that is exclusive to your region, making it a true local delicacy.


Moreover, each season brings a new bouquet of plants for bees to visit, meaning the flavor of local honey can vary throughout the year. This provides a wonderful opportunity to explore the changing seasons through the taste of local honey.


Conclusion


Colorado local honey brings a plethora of health benefits, from antioxidants that protect your body and improve your skin, to its natural energy-boosting properties and potential to alleviate allergy symptoms. It offers an intimate connection to your local environment, carrying a unique flavor profile that changes with the seasons, reflecting the rich diversity of your region's flora. Most importantly, choosing Colorado local honey means you're contributing to the well-being of your local community and the environment. You're supporting small-scale, sustainable beekeeping practices that prioritize the health of the bees and the ecosystem. When you savor the richness of local honey, you're not just treating your taste buds, but you're also taking a step towards a healthier lifestyle and a more sustainable world.



Bees on honeycomb | local honey | Colorado skincare | NoCo Apothecary



Sources:


Saarinen, K., Jantunen, J., & Haahtela, T. (2011). Birch pollen honey for birch pollen allergy--a randomized controlled pilot study. International Archives of Allergy and Immunology, 155(2), 160-166. URL:  https://www.karger.com/Article/Abstract/319821


Ahmed, S., Sulaiman, S. A., Baig, A. A., Ibrahim, M., Liaqat, S., Fatima, S., Jabeen, S., Shamim, N., & Othman, N. H. (2018, January 18). Honey as a potential natural antioxidant medicine: An insight into its molecular mechanisms of action. Oxidative medicine and cellular longevity.  https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5822819/


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