Is Your Honey Pure? The Truth About Adulterated Honey.
It’s a new year, and in the wake of your resolutions, you may be on a crusade for a healthier life. If you’re like most people, you’ve probably tossed out your holiday leftovers and evicted all sugary treats from your pantry and refrigerator. You may not want to consume any more sweets for a while, but if you’re looking for a healthy alternative, honey is your trusty substitute for refined sugars. Unfortunately, the truth is that not all honey is created equal. As a consumer, there are two types of honey you should look for: pure honey and raw honey. What to avoid? Adulterated honey.
Pure Honey
Pure honey is defined as honey “that does not allow for the addition of any other substance,” including “water or other sweeteners.” Simply put, your honey shouldn’t contain any other ingredients. Adulterated honey can contain impurities like pesticides, heavy metals, and radioactive materials, according to the NCBI. Furthermore, adulterated honey can contain refined sugars like high fructose corn syrup.
In addition, pure honey contains natural byproducts of the hive, like pollen and beeswax, whereas filtered honey does not. These natural products of the hive, which also include propolis, enzymes, and probiotics, have many health benefits. That’s why raw honey is so good for your health.
Raw Honey
So, what exactly is raw honey? Honey is typically considered raw if not heated above 110ºF. Because raw honey does not have added ingredients and has not been filtered of its naturally-occurring hive components, it is often deemed the best form of honey. One study even showed that “raw honey contained up to 4.3 times more antioxidants than the processed variety”!
Adulterated Honey
As mentioned above, adulterated honey may contain some pretty toxic ingredients. The trouble is that it’s hard to know when honey is actually adulterated. Labels usually don’t indicate when honey is impure. The best way to ensure your honey is pure or raw is to know its source. Because China is notorious for impure honey, it has been banned from the U.S. However, illegal relabelling means that even seemingly trustworthy honey may actually be adulterated.
When it comes to the world of honey, there are a lot of different brands and providers out there. Sadly, labels don’t always tell the full story. We always suggest doing some research and steering clear of adulterated honey. Once you find a source you can trust, you can enjoy the peace of mind of delicious and healthy honey.
