Un-BEE-lievable! Everything You Need to Know About Honey – Nature’s Sticky Gold

If you had to guess as to the most prolific product bees produce, what would your guess be? Pat yourself on the back if honey is your answer. Beekeepers get all sorts of products from their hives, including royal jelly and propolis. But honey is by far the most prolific. It is the one that beekeepers truly covet.

If you have ever wondered what is actually in honey, you’re not alone. What appears to be a very simple substance is actually quite complex in its chemical makeup. It has to be. Honey is a food source that keeps bees alive during the winter. Without it, hives would not survive.

How Honey Is Made?

Before discussing the actual constituents of honey, it is a good idea to discuss how it is made. We human beings tend to think of food production as a manufacturing process. Bees do, too. They take raw ingredients and work with them to produce honey.

The first step in the process is for worker bees to go out and collect nectar. Bee bodies have storage sacs known as crops. A worker bee may consume a bit of nectar for its own food, but most of what is collected goes in the crop. When the crop is full, the bee returns to the hive.

Other workers in the hive ingest the nectar, let it sit for a while, then regurgitate it. Another bee ingests it, and the process continues until the nectar’s water content has been significantly reduced. Meanwhile, each worker bee’s body contributes enzymes. Nectar is eventually injected into honeycombs where it remains unsealed until most of the water is gone. Honeycombs are then sealed, and the substance matures into honey.

Honey’s Chemical Makeup

We have finally arrived at the point you have been waiting for: a discussion of honey’s chemical makeup. The nectar that eventually becomes honey is more than two-thirds water. But by the time it is completely processed, the water content has been reduced to about 17%. That is why honey is thick, sticky, and viscous.

As for the rest of the ingredients, honey contains:

• 22 amino acids
• 31 minerals
• 30 bioactive compounds (antioxidants)
• dozens of vitamins and enzymes
• varying levels of pollen.

You may be interested to know that unprocessed honey has more than four times the oxidants of its processed counterpart. If you were to consume honey solely for its antioxidant benefits, raw honey would be the better choice.

I could go into much more detail with all of honey’s ingredients. However, space does not allow for such in-depth analysis. Instead, here is a breakdown of the most common honey constituents by volume:

• Fructose – 38.2%
• Glucose – 31%
• Water – 17.1%
• Maltose – 7.2%
• Carbohydrates – 4.2%
• Sucrose – 1.5%.

Glucose content is important because it affects how honey reacts to temperature changes. Glucose crystallizes when temperatures begin to drop. Therefore, high levels of glucose make a batch of honey more likely to crystallize when taken out of the hive. Bear in mind that the average temperature inside a hive can be as high as 95°F.

Beekeepers sometimes use electric blankets to keep harvested honey warm, thereby preventing crystallization. Otherwise, a batch of honey allowed to crystallize could suffer from diminished quality. The key to keeping it warm is to not allow the honey to get warm enough to pasteurize.

Health Benefits for Humans

We can deduce that honey is the perfect food for adult bees. It provides the right nutrients in the right amounts. But what about human health? Are there any benefits to regular honey consumption? Though the science is far from conclusive, research seems to indicate that there are.

According to the Mayo Clinic, research seems to indicate that honey could be beneficial in fighting cardiovascular, gastrointestinal, and neurological disease. It has long been used as a homeopathic treatment for respiratory infections and wounds.

What is Honey – Conclusion

In conclusion, honey is a remarkable and complex substance that has been prized by humans for its flavor, nutritional value, and medicinal properties for thousands of years. It is made by bees from the nectar of flowers and contains a wide range of compounds, including sugars, amino acids, vitamins, minerals, enzymes, and antioxidants. The composition of honey can vary widely depending on the types of flowers and plants that bees have access to as well as environmental factors such as climate and soil quality. Despite its many benefits, it is important to note that honey is a concentrated source of sugar and should be consumed in moderation, especially for those with diabetes or other health concerns. Overall, honey is a fascinating and delicious product of the natural world and its complexity and diversity make it an ongoing subject of scientific investigation and appreciation.

Beekeeping Disclaimer:

Beekeeping, like any agricultural activity, involves inherent risks. It is important to understand these risks and take appropriate measures to mitigate them.

Potential risks associated with beekeeping include:

1. Bee stings: Honeybees are generally not aggressive but can become defensive if they feel threatened or their hive is disturbed. Bee stings can cause allergic reactions or even anaphylaxis in some individuals, which can be life-threatening. It is important to wear protective clothing and follow best practices when handling bees to minimize the risk of stings.
2. Diseases and pests: Bees can be vulnerable to various diseases and pests, including mites, viruses, and bacterial infections. These can have significant impacts on bee colonies, leading to reduced honey production or even colony collapse. It is important to monitor hives regularly and take appropriate measures to prevent and treat diseases and pests.
3. Weather conditions: Extreme weather conditions, such as drought or cold temperatures, can affect the health and productivity of bee colonies. It is important to ensure that hives are appropriately sheltered and provided with adequate food and water.
4. Environmental hazards: Bees can be affected by environmental hazards such as pesticide exposure, pollution, and habitat loss. It is important to be aware of these hazards and take appropriate measures to protect bee colonies and promote healthy environments for bees.
5. Legal requirements: Beekeeping may be subject to local, state, or national regulations, such as registration or inspection requirements. It is important to be aware of these requirements and comply with them.

While beekeeping can be a rewarding and enjoyable activity, it is important to be aware of the potential risks and take appropriate measures to mitigate them. By following best practices and staying informed about the latest developments in beekeeping, beekeepers can help ensure the health and productivity of their hives and contribute to the well-being of bee populations worldwide.