Organic Apple Cider Vinegar

6 Proven Benefits of Apple Cider VinegarFor centuries, vinegar has been used for various household and cooking purposes.

It is also an ancient folk remedy, claimed to help with all sorts of health problems.

The most popular vinegar in the natural health community is Apple Cider Vinegar.

It is claimed to lead to all sorts of benefits, some of which are supported by science.

This includes weight loss, lower blood sugar levels and improved symptoms of diabetes.

Here are 6 health benefits of apple cider vinegar, that are supported by scientific research.

1. High in acetic acid, which has potent biological effects

Vinegar is made in a two-step process, related to how alcohol is made (1).

The first step exposes crushed apples (or apple cider) to yeast, which ferment the sugars and turn them into alcohol.

In the second step, bacteria are added to the alcohol solution, which further ferment the alcohol and turn it into acetic acid… the main active compound in vinegar.

In French, the word “vinegar” actually means “sour wine.”

Organic, unfiltered apple cider vinegar also contains “mother,” strands of proteins, enzymes and friendly bacteria that give the product a murky, cobweb-like appearance.

This is what it looks like:

Some people believe that the “mother” is responsible for most of the health benefits, although there are currently no studies to support this.

Apple cider vinegar only contains about 3 calories per tablespoon, which is very low.

There are not many vitamins or minerals in it, but it does contain a tiny amount of potassium. Quality apple cider vinegar also contains some amino acids and antioxidants.

Bottom Line: Apple cider vinegar is made by fermenting the sugars from apples. This turns them into acetic acid, the active ingredient in vinegar.

2. Can kill many types of bacteria

Vinegar can help kill pathogens, including bacteria (2).

It has traditionally been used for cleaning and disinfecting, treating nail fungus, lice, warts and ear infections.

However, many of these applications have currently not been confirmed by research.

Hippocrates, the father of modern medicine, used vinegar for wound cleaning over two thousand years ago.

Vinegar has been used as a food preservative, and studies show that it inhibits bacteria (like E. coli) from growing in the food and spoiling it (3, 4, 5, 6).

If you’re looking for a natural way to preserve your food… then apple cider vinegar could be highly useful.

There have also been anecdotal reports of diluted apple cider vinegar helping with acne when applied on the skin, but I didn’t find any research to confirm this so take it with a grain of salt.

Bottom Line: The main substance in vinegar, acetic acid, can kill bacteria and/or prevent them from multiplying and reaching harmful levels. It has a history of use as a disinfectant and natural preservative.

3. Lowers blood sugar levels and fights diabetes

By far the most successful application of vinegar to date, is in patients with type 2 diabetes.

Type 2 diabetes is characterized by elevated blood sugars, either in the context of insulin resistance or an inability to produce insulin.

However, elevated blood sugar can also be a problem in people who don’t have diabetes… it is believed to be a major cause of ageing and various chronic diseases.

So, pretty much everyone should benefit from keeping their blood sugar levels stable.

The most effective (and healthiest) way to do that is to avoid refined carbs and sugar, but apple cider vinegar may also have a powerful effect.

Vinegar has been shown to have numerous benefits for insulin function and blood sugar levels:

Improves insulin sensitivity during a high-carb meal by 19-34% and significantly lowers blood glucose and insulin responses (7).

Reduces blood sugar by 34% when eating 50 grams of white bread (8). 2 tablespoons of apple cider vinegar before bedtime can reduce fasting blood sugars by 4%

(9). Numerous other studies, in both rats and humans, show that vinegar can increase insulin

sensitivity and significantly lower blood sugar responses during meals (10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15).

For these reasons, vinegar can be useful for people with diabetes, pre-diabetes, or those who want to keep their blood sugar levels low to normal for other reasons.

If you’re currently taking blood sugar lowering medications, then check with your doctor before increasing your intake of apple cider vinegar.

Bottom Line: Apple cider vinegar has shown great promise in improving insulin sensitivity and helping to lower blood sugar responses after meals.

4. Helps you lose weight by making you feel full

Given that vinegar lowers blood sugar and insulin levels, it makes sense that it could help you lose weight.

Several human studies suggest that vinegar can increase satiety, help you eat fewer calories and even lead to actual pounds lost on the scale.

Vinegar along with high-carb meals can increase feelings of fullness and make people eat 200-275 fewer calories for the rest of the day (16, 17).

By reducing calorie intake, this should translate to reduced weight over time.

A study in obese individuals showed that daily vinegar consumption led to reduced belly fat, waist circumference, lower blood triglycerides and weight loss (18):

15mL (1 tablespoon): Lost 2.6 pounds, or 1.2 kilograms. 30mL (2 tablespoons): Lost 3.7 pounds, or 1.7 kilograms.

However… keep in mind that this study went on for 12 weeks, so the true effects on body weight seem to be rather modest.

That being said, just adding/subtracting single foods or ingredients rarely has a noticeable effect on weight.

It’s the entire diet/lifestyle that counts… you need to combine several effective methods to see results.

Overall, it seems like apple cider vinegar may be useful as a weight loss aid, mainly by promoting satiety and lowering glucose and insulin levels.

But it won’t work any miracles on its own.

Bottom Line: Studies suggest that vinegar can increase feelings of fullness and help people eat fewer calories, which can lead to weight loss.

5. Lowers cholesterol and reduces your risk of heart disease

Cardiovascular disease (heart disease and stroke) is currently the world’s biggest cause of death (19).

It is known that several measurable biological factors are linked to either a decreased or increased risk of cardiovascular disease.

Several of these “risk factors” have been shown to be improved by vinegar consumption… but all of the studies were done in rats.

These rat studies showed that apple cider vinegar can lower cholesterol and triglyceride levels (20, 21).

Apple cider vinegar may also contain the antioxidant chlorogenic acid, which has been shown to protect LDL cholesterol particles from becoming oxidized, a crucial step in the heart disease process (22, 23).

There are also some studies showing that vinegar reduces blood pressure (a major risk factor) in rats (24, 25).

Unfortunately, what works in animals doesn’t always work in humans.

The only human evidence is an observational study from Harvard showing that women who ate salad dressings with vinegar had a reduced risk of heart disease (26).

But this type of study can only show an association, it can not prove that the vinegar caused anything.

Bottom Line: Several animal studies have shown that vinegar can reduce blood triglycerides, cholesterol and blood pressure, but this needs to be confirmed in human studies.

6. May have protective effects against cancer

Cancer is a terrible disease, characterized by uncontrolled growth of cells.

There is a lot of hype online about the anti-cancer effects of apple cider vinegar.

Some studies have shown that vinegar can kill cancer cells and shrink tumors (27, 28, 29, 30)

However, all of the studies on this were done in isolated cells in test tubes, or rats, which proves nothing about what happens in a living, breathing human.

Additionally, most of the studies were done on rice vinegar, not apple cider vinegar.

That being said, some observational studies (which don’t prove anything) have shown that vinegar ingestion is linked to decreased esophageal cancer in China, but increased bladder cancer in Serbia (31, 32).

Overall… it is possible that apple cider vinegar may help to prevent cancer, but it is definitely premature to make any recommendations based on the current research.

Bottom Line: Some studies in test tubes and rats have shown that rice vinegar can slow the growth of cancer cells and shrink tumors.

Side Effects, Dosage and How to Use it

There are a lot of wild claims about apple cider vinegar on the internet.

Some say that it can increase energy levels and have all sorts of beneficial effects on health.

Unfortunately… many of these claims are not supported by science.

Of course, absence of proof isn’t proof that something isn’t happening and anecdote often ends up becoming supported by science down the line.

That being said, I wouldn’t hold my breath waiting for more studies, since research on natural health products like these are both few and far between.

From the little evidence available, I think that apple cider vinegar may be useful and is definitely a good candidate for some self-experimentation if you’re interested in it.

At the very least, apple cider vinegar seems to be safe. There are no side effects noted with normal consumption.

The best way to incorporate it into your diet is to use it in your cooking… for salad dressings, homemade mayonnaise and that sort of thing.

Some people also like to dilute it in water and drink it as a beverage. Common dosages range from 1-2 teaspoons (5-10 mL) to 1-2 tablespoons (15-30 mL) per day.

Definitely don’t go above that, because excess consumption may have harmful effects.

It is also possible to take it in pill/tablet form, but I don’t recommend that because a 2005 study showed that the true vinegar content of these supplements was highly questionable (33).

There is also a report of a woman having an apple cider vinegar tablet stuck in her throat, which led to esophageal burns.

It is recommended to use organic, unfiltered apple cider vinegar with the “mother.” Apple cider vinegar also has various other non-health related uses like hair conditioning, skin care, dental care, pet use and as a cleaning agent (to name a few).

These can be highly useful for people who like to keep things as natural and chemical-free as possible.

At the end of the day, apple cider vinegar appears to be very healthy.

It’s not a “miracle” or a “cure-all” like some people seem to believe, but it does clearly have some important health benefits, especially for blood sugar and weight control.

Organic Aloe Vera Juice

Enjoy the Benefits of Aloe Vera JuiceMost people are aware that aloe vera soothes dry skin, sunburn, and other skin irritations [1], but not many know of the many health benefits the plant offers when it’s consumed. For instance, recent studies have shown that aloe vera helps the immune system, encourages normal blood sugar, and reduces redness and swelling. Best of all it’s natural and totally safe! [2]

More and more products are being created to help people consume aloe vera. One of the most popular is aloe vera juice. The benefits are many, and here are some of the most notable:

Aids digestion and even relieves occasional constipation [3]

Eases stomach ache and acid [4]

Increases alkalization and reduces acidity in the body [5]

Soothes redness and swelling [6]

Encourages normal stomach lining [7]

Supports memory, learning, and overall mood [8]

Surprised? There’s actually more. It’s because aloe vera contains a wealth of nutrients, like vitamins A, C, E, and B12, as well as minerals like potassium, zinc, and magnesium. [9] It also provides powerful antioxidants, helps to balance metabolism [10], promotes oral health [11] boosts the immune system [12], and even supports normal circulation and blood pressure [13]. It’s been reported to promote heart health. [14] In another study, aloe encouraged normal blood sugar. [15]

Even though aloe vera juice is ingested, it still contains many nutrients that make it great for your skin! It remains a powerful tool for irritated skin due to burns, minor cuts and severe dryness. [16] Even when consumed, many of aloe vera’s properties still pass through the body and ultimately aid the skin in the same ways as aloe vera gels and lotions do when they are applied topically. Now, no one is saying that aloe vera is some magic cure-all, but the plant does contain a wealth of nutrients that benefit those who use it.

Why Should You Drink Aloe Vera Juice?

In addition to its many internal health benefits, drinking aloe vera juice is great because it enables you to ingest the plant’s nutrients without dealing with the unpleasant taste of fresh aloe. It also helps to take the guesswork out of what you should actually consume, as the aloe’s inner and outer leaf properties vary greatly. I should also note that there are over 400 different species of aloe, each with their own chemical composition. If you are looking to consume aloe vera juice or any other product, be sure to verify that you’re looking at things made with aloe vera and not any other species of the plant. There are many products to choose from, so be sure to evaluate them carefully before choosing one to take. Of course, if none of the juices you find quite meet your taste, you do always have the option of making your own.

Risks of Consuming Aloe Vera Juice

Even though aloe vera does offer many health benefits, you don’t want to get too carried away with taking it. Everything in moderation, right? For one, aloe vera leaves contain a compound called aloin. Aloin can induce a harsh laxative effect. [17] And when taken too frequently, some compounds in aloe vera can create an electrolyte imbalance. [18]

Other Ways to Enjoy Aloe Vera’s Health Benefits

If aloe vera juice is not for you, you can still enjoy its many health benefits. Today, you can get aloe vera dietary supplements in capsule form. But remember to check out the ingredients before you take anything! Not all aloe vera supplements are created equally. They do not contain the same amount of nutrients, proteins, and plant compounds so each can have a very specific effect on your body. Evaluate the ingredients and use this information to help you choose the supplement best suited to give you the benefits you seek. For the maximum health benefit, look for supplements that feature acemannan, a potent plant chemical found in the inner aloe vera leaf.

References:

1. Renata Dawid-Pać. Medicinal plants used in treatment of inflammatory skin diseases. Postepy Dermatol Alergol. 2013 Jun; 30(3): 170–177. Published online 2013 Jun 20. doi: 10.5114/pdia.2013.35620.

2. Surjushe A, Vasani R, Saple DG. ALOE VERA: A SHORT REVIEW. Indian Journal of Dermatology. 2008;53(4):163-166. doi:10.4103/0019-5154.44785.

3. Cirillo C1, Capasso R2. Constipation and Botanical Medicines: An Overview. Phytother Res. 2015 Oct;29(10):1488-93. doi: 10.1002/ptr.5410. Epub 2015 Jul 14.

4. Werawatganon D1, Rakananurak N1, Sallapant S1, Prueksapanich P1, Somanawat K1, Klaikeaw N1, Rerknimitr R1. Aloe vera attenuated gastric injury on indomethacin-induced gastropathy in rats. World J Gastroenterol. 2014 Dec 28;20(48):18330-7. doi: 10.3748/wjg.v20.i48.18330.

5. Prueksrisakul T, Chantarangsu S, Thunyakitpisal P. Effect of daily drinking of Aloe vera gel extract on plasma total antioxidant capacity and oral pathogenic bacteria in healthy volunteer: a short-term study. J Complement Integr Med. 2015 Jun 1;12(2):159-64. doi: 10.1515/jcim-2014-0060.

6. Cock IE. The Genus Aloe: Phytochemistry and Therapeutic Uses Including Treatments for Gastrointestinal Conditions and Chronic Inflammation. Prog Drug Res. 2015;70:179-235.

7. Ranade AN, Ranpise NS, Ramesh C1. Exploring the potential of gastro retentive dosage form in delivery of ellagic acid and aloe vera gel powder for treatment of gastric ulcers. Curr Drug Deliv. 2014;11(2):287-97.

8. Halder S1, Mehta AK, Mediratta PK. Aloe vera improves memory and reduces depression in mice. Nutr Neurosci. 2013 Nov;16(6):250-4. doi: 10.1179/1476830512Y.0000000050. Epub 2013 Feb 5.

9. Radha, M. H. & Laxmipriya, N.P. Evaluation of biological properties and clinical effectiveness of Aloe vera: A systematic review. Journal of Traditional and Complementary Medicine. 5 (1).

10. Foster, M. et al. Evaluation of the Nutritional and Metabolic Effects of Aloe vera. In I. Benzie & G. Wachtel-Galor (Eds.), Herbal medicine: Biomolecular and clinical aspects (2nd ed.).

11. Songsiripradubboon S1, Banlunara W, Sangvanich P, Trairatvorakul C, Thunyakitpisal P. Clinical, radiographic, and histologic analysis of the effects of acemannan used in direct pulp capping of human primary teeth: short-term outcomes. Odontology. 2015 Aug 12. [Epub ahead of print].

12. hokboribal J1, Tachaboonyakiat W2, Sangvanich P3, Ruangpornvisuti V4, Jettanacheawchankit S5, Thunyakitpisal P6. Deacetylation affects the physical properties and bioactivity of acemannan, an extracted polysaccharide from Aloe vera. Carbohydr Polym. 2015 Nov 20;133:556-66. doi: 10.1016/j.carbpol.2015.07.039. Epub 2015 Jul 17.

13. Choudhary M, Kochhar A, Sangha J. Hypoglycemic and hypolipidemic effect of Aloe vera L. in non-insulin dependent diabetics. J Food Sci Technol. 2014 Jan; 51(1): 90–96. Published online 2011 Jul 16. doi: 10.1007/s13197-011-0459-0.

14. Agarwal OP. Prevention of atheromatous heart disease. Angiology. 1985 Aug;36(8):485-92. 15. Devaraj S1, Yimam M, Brownell LA, Jialal I, Singh S, Jia Q. Effects of Aloe vera

supplementation in subjects with prediabetes/metabolic syndrome. Metab Syndr Relat Disord. 2013 Feb;11(1):35-40. doi: 10.1089/met.2012.0066. Epub 2012 Oct 4.

16. Tanaka M1, Misawa E1, Yamauchi K1, Abe F1, Ishizaki C2. Effects of plant sterols derived from Aloe vera gel on human dermal fibroblasts in vitro and on skin condition in Japanese women. Clin Cosmet Investig Dermatol. 2015 Feb 20;8:95-104. doi: 10.2147/CCID.S75441. eCollection 2015.

17. Foster, M. et al. Evaluation of the Nutritional and Metabolic Effects of Aloe vera. In I. Benzie & G. Wachtel-Galor (Eds.), Herbal medicine: Biomolecular and clinical aspects (2nd ed.).

18. Saka WA, Akhigbe RE, Popoola OT, Oyekunle OS. Changes in Serum Electrolytes, Urea, and Creatinine in Aloe Vera-treated Rats. J Young Pharm. 2012 Apr-Jun; 4(2): 78–81. doi: 10.4103/0975-1483.96620.

†Results may vary. Information and statements made are for education purposes and are not intended to replace the advice of your doctor. Global Healing Center does not dispense medical advice, prescribe, or diagnose illness. The views and nutritional advice expressed by Global Healing Center are not intended to be a substitute for conventional medical service. If you have a severe medical condition or health concern, see your physician.

Organic Lemon Juice

What are Organic Lemons and How It Benefits?Organic lemons are one the best things that nature offers to you. They are fresh, juicy and great for eating. They are perfect for cleansing your body and for creating Limoncello.

What Are Organic Lemons?

Organic lemons are cultivated using the earth friendly farming where only organic fertilizers are used.

Organic lemons are perfect for enhancing the flavor of many dishes including chicken, fish, salads, vegetables and sauces.

Health Benefits of Organic Lemons

Organic lemons are rich in Vitamin C which is a nutrient essential in protecting the body against the deficiencies of the immune system. Lemons have a fiber called as ‘pectin’ that is very good for the health of colon and also works as a very good antibacterial agent. Consuming organic lemon juice that is warm, early in the morning, flushes out the toxins from the body quiet easily.

Lemons aid in the making of juices used for digestion. The lemon water has content called potassium that helps in nourishing nerve and brain cells. Phosphorus, calcium, potassium, magnesium and citric acid are present in abundance in the juice form and are thus great for the healthy body.

Other benefits offered by organic lemons are:

helps in curing common cold helps in digestion and also encourages bile production helps in maintaining health of eyes and also aids in fighting eye problems helps in maintaining the body balance by controlling pH levels inside the body reduces inflammation, pain in knees and joints by helping in dissolving uric acid provides energy to the liver enzymes and strengthens the liver even when they are in little

amounts. Also it balances the oxygen and calcium levels in liver helpful in preventing the growth and multiplication of bacteria that are pathogenic and can

cause diseases and infections

Lemon juice also helps in replenishing body salts particularly after strenuous session of workout. Besides it also benefits the skin immensely by avoiding problems such as acne and wrinkles. If any heart burn is felt, consuming one glass of undiluted or concentrated juice of lemon will give relief.

To make your day a good one, begin the day by drinking a glass of warm juice of lemon. Its healing and cleansing effects definitely have good positive effects in long run on your health.

Raw Honey: The Complete StoryThe Story of Raw HoneyIt comes perhaps as no surprise that our human species has an innate sweet tooth. Although not everyone seeks out the delectable taste of sweet flavors, most of us do fall into this category with some very obvious eating habits.

Having an attraction for sweet flavors, and thus sugars, has been an evolutionary benefit for thousands of years but a huge disadvantage to our population over the past century. As sugar processing became more advanced, and sugar became a cheap commodity, it seemed that it was added to almost every processed food in one or more ways.

We saw chronic disease rates rise, and we know today that high sugar consumption is related to major problems like weight irregularities, mood disorders, diabetes, cancers, metabolic syndrome, heart disease and lowered immune function.

Therefore anyone who becomes health conscious, naturally searches for other options. One of the first and most obvious being a reduction in the consumption of any, and all isolated and/or processed sugars. The second option is making sure that any isolated sugars consumed, come from more natural, beneficial and nutritious sweeteners. This is where raw honey takes the center stage.

What Is Raw Honey?Raw honey is honey (nectar from flowers) that is pure, unheated, unpasteurized and unprocessed. This is perhaps one of the most important characteristics and health benefits of the final product, as it preserves all the natural vitamins, enzymes, phytonutrients and other nutritional elements. True raw honey is quite different from processed, commercial honey for these main reasons.

Raw honey has been used by humans for at least 10,000 years, and has played a vital role in health, healing, religious and cultural traditions. 

Characteristics of Raw HoneyRaw honey can be in liquid or solid (creamed) form when you purchase it. If you purchase raw honey that is in the liquid form, it may crystallize or solidify over time. It can be clear, or opaque, or milky. Its color can vary from white, to various shades of yellow, and even brown.

All of these characteristics will depend on the type of flower that the bees retrieved the nectar for the honey from. It is not possible to tell whether a honey is raw or pasteurized based on color, taste or form (liquid or solid) alone. Some honey experts believe that they can detect a pure, raw honey by taste alone, but this will not be the case for most of us.

To be sure that your honey is raw, it must say so on the label. Currently there is no widespread, uniform regulation or certification for raw honey. Words like "untreated" or "unpasteurized" can help, but may still not be indicative of a truly raw product. And it goes without saying that any honey labelled as "pasteurized" is not raw. Additionally, terms like "natural" or "pure" normally have little significance when it comes to knowing if it is actually "raw" honey. Some beekeepers may not necessarily pasteurize their honey, but they may still heat it to some degree. Therefore if we want a truly "raw" product we need to inquire about it specifically. You can for example call the company whose honey you are interested in to learn how they prepare their honey. But better yet, find a local farm or beekeeper whom you can trust when it comes to knowing exactly where the honey comes from and how it is prepared.

In fact, it is most optimal for our health to consume honey from our local area anyway, rather than honey that came from the plants of another area. While non-local, raw honey won't hurt us, local, raw honey will have more benefits for us. There is a growing belief amongst the natural health experts and community that raw honey from local sources is beneficial for treating seasonal allergies like Hay Fever, as well as helping with asthma, and being most beneficial for your immune system's particular environment needs. 

It is always best to source out raw, organic honey, but whether your raw honey will be organic or not will greatly vary depending on its source as well. Some experts believe that there is no such thing as truly organic honey, however organic honey certification is available. Beekeepers have to meet stringent production standards and conditions to be certified organic. Raw, organic honey cannot contain any pesticide residues or environmental pollutants. Organic hives also cannot use non-organic honey, sugar, or any antibiotics or pesticides for their bees.

Depending on your source, it is normal for raw honey to contain particles of bee pollen, honeycomb bits and propolis. These in themselves have health benefits which make raw honey sought out for even more health reasons.

Natural Health Benefits of Raw HoneyFirst and foremost, being a sugar, raw honey most obviously offers a quick source of energy. While this came in very handy to early humans that used this food source, it is more of a drawback to us today, living in a culture of abundant calories.

The main health benefits for which we revere raw honey today come from the unique blend of vitamins, minerals, enzymes, antioxidants, phytonutrients and other health components that it possesses. The two key beneficial components of truly raw honey are bee pollen and propolis.

 

Bee pollen in Raw HoneyBee pollen is a super nutritious compound, containing all the nutrients required by the human body. It is a source of proteins, vitamins, minerals, beneficial fatty acids, carotenoids and bioflavonoids which are antiviral, antibacterial and helpful to cardiovascular health.

 

Propolis in Raw HoneyPropolis also has antibacterial and antiviral qualities, as well as antifungal, anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. This, along with some of its other characteristics, makes honey highly sought after. The health benefits and uses—both internal and external—of propolis are

too numerous to list here.

Some phytonutrients found both in raw honey and propolis have been shown to possess cancer-preventing and anti-tumor properties. Other benefits of raw honey include boosting the immune system, being a cough suppressant, decreasing allergies to pollen, aiding blood sugar regulation, aiding cholesterol regulation, healing ulcers, and treating various bacterial infections.

Raw honey does not ferment in the stomach and can actually be used in aiding stomach upset and nausea. Unlike most sugars, raw honey is not known to aggravate things like indigestion or acid reflux. It has also been linked to helping with Candida problems.

Additionally, raw honey is alkaline forming unlike processed honey which is acid forming. For best natural health, our daily food supply should be higher in alkaline forming foods, rather than acid forming foods.

 

 

Drawbacks to Raw HoneyIt would truly be a sweet thing if there were no disadvantages to purchasing and consuming raw honey, however there are a few that every health- and planet-conscious individual should be aware of:

1. Extra Calories – Honey is a fast way to add calories to a meal. 1 tablespoon on average yields 60 calories. Thus, if you are interested in losing weight, or not gaining excess pounds, you have to be careful how much honey you use, and how often. Normally, due to honey’s intensely sweet flavor, it is hard to consume a lot of it at once.

2. High Sugar Content – Honey is about 40% fructose and 30% glucose, with the remaining carbohydrates including maltose, sucrose, and other complex carbohydrates. Even though raw honey has been studied in actually aiding insulin regulation, regular or high consumption of any sugar can cause various imbalances.

3. Bacterial Contamination – Due to the fact that honey is very low in water content and very high in sugar content, this makes it undesirable for microbial growth. However, in rare cases endospores of Clostridium botulinum (the bacteria that can cause botulism) have been found. This is normally never a problem for an adult digestive system, but the reason why honey should not be given to infants.

4. Animal Welfare – Depending on how the honey bees are housed and maintained, beekeeping can become a controversial animal welfare issue. Some beekeepers have

been known to burn or starve the colonies at the end of the season to avoid costs of maintenance out of season. Hence, buying honey from local beekeepers whom you know or companies who practice humane treatment is key when purchasing raw honey.

5. Disappearing Bees – Scientific reports show that bee numbers are on a sharp decline and this is naturally troublesome for our future food forecasts. We must remember that bees are responsible for the pollination of most of our plant food crops and without them, we face serious problems. Thus lowering a demand for honey has been proposed as a way to let bees thrive in their own natural habitat. Various chemicals, climate change and electromagnetic radiation are also being investigated in the issue of declining bee numbers.

 

 

Is it Safe to Eat Raw Honey?In the end, raw honey can be both beneficial and damaging to our health and environment. Hence, it all depends on its source and how it is used.

I do not believe in the “everything in moderation” paradigm, so I will not tell you to enjoy it in moderation, but rather to listen to your body and its needs. If you feel that raw honey is something that can benefit your health as a natural health option, search for the right variety to cause minimal environmental damage and get maximum organic foods benefits.

If on the other hand, you can pass on this sweet substance, don’t forget that the beneficial compounds like bee pollen and propolis are available as all natural health supplements as well. Just search your favorite natural health store (like swansonvitamins.com) to find raw honey or the equivalent health supplements online.

Organic Ceylon Cinnamon

Health Benefits of Ceylon CinnamonMuch of the cinnamon available in the spice aisle of your grocery store isn't cinnamon at all, but cassia. Ceylon cinnamon (cinnamomum verum) is true cinnamon, and it comes from the inner bark of a Sri Lankan evergreen tree. Ceylon cinnamon may have some different health effects than cassia.

Cassia Versus Ceylon Cinnamon

Both cassia and Ceylon cinnamon have a similar flavor and color, although Ceylon cinnamon tends to be darker in color and sweeter in flavor with a more delicate scent. Cassia comes from the inner bark of an evergreen tree, as well, called Cinnamomum cassia. The tree is native to East Asia. Many people buy cassia instead of Ceylon cinnamon because cassia is much less expensive. Because of this, commercial baked goods typically contain cassia instead of Ceylon cinnamon.

Health Benefits for Both

Both Ceylon cinnamon and cassia have numerous health benefits, including:

Helps control blood sugar Serves as an anti-bacterial agent Improves blood lipid profiles Serves as an anti-inflammatory Can help thin blood Protects against various forms of cardiovascular and coronary artery disease

Along with these benefits, both types of cinnamon can also help people on low-sugar diets, because it sweetens food naturally without the need for sugar. Because Ceylon cinnamon is sweeter in flavor than cassia, it serves as a wonderful sweetening agent in foods and smoothies that may help you require less sugar to satisfy your sweet tooth.

Key Difference: Coumarin

With such fantastic health benefits, it may seem like either type of cinnamon will perform equally well. However, one of the main differences, health-wise, between cassia and Ceylon cinnamon is the presence of a compound called coumarin. Cassia contains coumarin, a compound that has been linked to liver damage according to Medical News Today. In fact, cassia cinnamon powder has as much as 63 times more coumarin than Ceylon cinnamon. Cassia cinnamon sticks have about 18 times more coumarin than those made with Ceylon cinnamon.

An article in the February, 2010 issue of Molecular Nutrition and Food Research notes cassia to be both hepatotoxic (damaging the liver) and carcinogenic (cancer-causing). The article noted that in a survey, heavy consumption of baked goods containing cassia were likely to

exceed safe amounts of this substance. However, Ceylon cinnamon is very low in coumarin (less than 1/100 of a percent), so intake of foods made with Ceylon cinnamon were unlikely to be toxic.

Mother Nature Network notes that, because of this, Germany has placed a safe upper limit on daily consumption of cassia - 0.7 ounces (2 grams) per day or less for an adult weighing 132 pounds. There is currently no established upper limit for consumption of Ceylon cinnamon.

Studies Specific to Ceylon Cinnamon

Because of the potential for toxicity related to coumarin, Ceylon cinnamon has the health edge when it comes to the above listed benefits. Because it is more affordable - and more readily available - cassia has been studied much more than Ceylon cinnamon. However, some small-scale and animal studies have shown potential benefits specific to Ceylon cinnamon.

Dementia/Alzheimer's Disease

A 2009 study published in the Journal of Alzheimer's Disease showed that an extract of Ceylon cinnamon inhibited two hallmarks of Alzheimer's disease, tau aggregation and filament foundation. However, this was an in vitro study (in the test tube - and not on living humans). No human studies have shown benefits for dementia or Alzheimer's disease at this time. Further research is required.

Diabetes

An animal study published in the April-June 2012 issue of Pharmacognosy Research showed Ceylon cinnamon lowered blood glucose levels, decreased food intake, and improved blood lipids (cholesterol and triglycerides) in rats with diabetes. This is consistent with findings of an earlier study that looked at cinnamon in general, but not Ceylon cinnamon in isolation.

Other Studied Health Effects

In 2013, BMC Complementary and Alternative Medicine performed a systematic review of studies performed only on Ceylon cinnamon, examining potential health benefits. While the majority of the studies were in vitro, animal studies, or limited studies, the review concluded Ceylon cinnamon may have the following health benefits:

It may be anti-parisitic and anti-microbial It may improve blood lipid profiles It is an antioxidant It may inhibit the breakdown of bones (osteoclastogenesis) It may improve gastric ulcers It may inhibit two hallmarks of Alzheimer's disease It may inhibit nerve pain and inflammation It may speed wound healing It may protect the liver

It is important to note, however, that controlled clinical human studies are lacking in these areas, and more research is necessary to confirm the benefits of Ceylon cinnamon.

Telling the Difference

The best way to tell the difference is by reading labels. Look for cinnamon labeled Ceylon cinnamon or Sri Lankan cinnamon. If it doesn't have that label, chances are it is cassia. For cinnamon sticks, look for tightly coiled, thin layers of bark, which is indicative of Ceylon cinnamon. Cassia is thicker with fewer coils throughout, and tends to be more loosely wound.

The Bottom Line

Research suggests cinnamon has many health benefits. However, much of the research has been conducted on cassia instead of Ceylon cinnamon, or it doesn't specify which type of cinnamon was used. However, many experts feel with the potential hepatotoxic (liver damaging) and carcinogenic effects of coumarin, which is found in high concentrations in cassia, you are better off seeking those health benefits from Ceylon cinnamon.