The use of honey for weight loss
In the struggle for a perfect body, all means are good: exhausting workouts in the gym, a variety of diets, questionable fat burners and physiotherapy.All this costs tremendous effort and willpower. In many ways, one has to say “no” to oneself, which can cause depression. Sweet tooths that do not represent their life without sweets (and this category of products should be excluded from the diet, if you want to lose weight), they resort to an optimal alternative to sugar - they use honey. Skeptical supporters of a healthy lifestyle and who are afraid of getting fat from an extra spoon of sugar in tea treat this with a high degree of mistrust, because despite the rich content of valuable substances, honey is quite high-calorie and heavy food. Is it good for health? Is it possible to lose weight with it or only get fat from it?
Composition
Many clinical studies have been conducted, during which the properties of "liquid gold" have been proven to be useful for the human body. A similar effect, with reasonable use of this product, arises due to the balanced composition of trace elements.
The main ones include:
- B vitamins;
- vitamin C;
- calcium;
- iron;
- phosphorus;
- potassium;
- magnesium;
- zinc;
- antioxidants.
100 g of honey contains:
- 80.3 g of carbohydrates;
- 0.8 g of proteins.
Fat honey does not contain.
Nutritionists believe that it is this combination of biologically active components that prevents the risk of gaining excessive body weight.
To confirm this theory in 2010, several clinical experiments were conducted. Women participating in the study were divided into two groups. The first ate honey nectar every morning, and the second - sugar.
As a result of the experiment, it was proved that honey inhibited the production of hunger hormone, ghrelin. The concentration of insulin remained unchanged.
The energy value of the product is:
- tablespoon - 98.4 kcal;
- teaspoon - 29.5 kcal;
- 100 g - 328 kcal.
In addition, during the study, it was found that honey is able to neutralize the detrimental effects of drastic weight loss. This happens as follows. In the process of splitting lipids, free radicals are formed, which cause significant damage to the human body. Antioxidants, which is rich in honey, neutralize them. Also, using honey in the process of losing weight, we replenish stocks of valuable trace elements that are removed from the body as a result of rapid weight loss.
Sharp weight loss is often accompanied by a decrease in the degree of ability to work, which is associated with a deficiency of glucose in the body. Honey contains both glucose and fructose, so taking it daily, you can effectively deal with this unpleasant condition.
Systematic and metered consumption of such a natural fat burner, like honey, will ensure a safe weight loss process without negative consequences for the immune system, disability and emotional balance.
Benefit
Due to the presence and optimal ratio of beneficial elements in the structure of honey, its valuable properties can contribute to weight loss. It contains many vitamins and other biologically active compounds that accelerate metabolic reactions, stimulate the function of the urogenital system, and also promote the neutralization of subcutaneous fat deposits. If you do not abuse, comply with therapeutic dosage and correctly combine honey with other dietary products, you can achieve significant results.
According to nutritionists, honey for weight loss can have the following properties.
- Antioxidant action. With a decrease in body weight, fatty molecules break down, as a result of which free radicals enter the bloodstream, which adversely affect human health in general. It is because of the threat of the formation of these harmful compounds experts in one voice oppose all sorts of diets that deplete the body. Honey is known to contain many antioxidants.
Nutritionists advise to use dark varieties of sweet product, as they have much more antioxidants than the light ones.
- Colossal content of valuable nutrients. Adhering to a diet, we say goodbye not only to the hated fat, but also with a lot of nutrients. As a result, weakness, decreased activity, headache, dizziness and other unpleasant effects may occur. If every day to use a small amount of honey, such effects of weight loss can be avoided. If you systematically exceed the allowable daily dose of honey, then its useful properties in the fight against obesity are leveled, and the person will quickly get fat.
- Glucose content. With the problem of reducing performance while losing weight, another important component of honey works well - glucose. It is an indispensable source of energy in a stressful moment for the human body. An important rule - do not abuse the delicacy, because with the excessive use of honey, glucose from the main "supplier" of energy will turn into body fat.
- Low glycemic index. Food that enters the human body, to a greater or lesser extent, affects the concentration of glucose in the blood. In the case when it rises sharply almost immediately after the food gets into the stomach, then it has a high GI. Foods with high GI stimulate appetite and are the first “candidates” for turning to fat on the sides. If the GI of the food is low enough, the glucose enters the blood gradually, without provoking the appearance of hunger and the formation of hateful folds. GI honey varies in the range of 50-70. Therefore, it is especially useful for people who want to get rid of excess fat on the abdomen.
From all of the above we can conclude that honey is quite possible to use as one of the means for losing weight. This fact has long been proven and it is pointless to refute it. However, there are a lot of reviews where people write that honey did not help them to lose weight, but on the contrary, their body weight is still growing. Probably, it was incorrectly combined with other products or exceeded permissible doses.
According to one scientific theory, honey has Greek roots and means "intoxicating drink." This is explained by the fact that in ancient times it was the main raw material from which it was possible to get alcoholic beverages. According to another version, this word comes from the Hebrew language.
Harm
To diet using honey was effective and did not result in the emergence of ailments, it must be remembered that this product has a number of contraindications for its systematic intake. If you allow yourself one sandwich with honey or skip a couple of spoons for tea, then most likely it will not cause serious disorders. But the long-term diet, which involves the regular use of a sweet bee product in a variety of dishes and drinks, can cause severe damage to health in the presence of contraindications, which include:
- diabetes;
- history of allergies;
- respiratory diseases;
- cardiovascular pathology;
- diseases of the gastrointestinal tract;
- the presence of kidney stones or biliary tract;
- rheumatism;
- skin irritation.
All of these pathologies with the systematic use of honey can be exacerbated, and instead of a slim, toned body, you will receive a bunch of serious health problems. Therefore, before you start to eat according to any diet, you should consult with a specialist and pass the necessary examinations to minimize the risk of complications. If you have one or more of the above diseases, you will have to abandon the honeyed diet and replace this product with some other one.
Interesting fact. In ancient Egypt and Ancient Rome, honey was used as a monetary unit and they could be paid for a service or product.Also in the Slavic annals there are records that taxes or fines could be paid in money, cattle or honey.
How to cook?
On the question of what kind of honey more than others contributes to weight loss, it is not easy to answer unequivocally. If you look at it from the point of view of the presence of antioxidants, then you should give preference to dark varieties.
Pumpkin honey is rich in valuable substances and has a large number of medicinal properties. Therefore, it can be safely used in the fight against fat on the sides.
Some nutritionists advise their patients to chew on a piece of honeycomb - this natural chewing gum helps to satisfy hunger.
The easiest, but at the same time effective, way to use honey in liquid form is to add it to water.
By itself, warm water before a meal can:
- cheer up;
- improve blood circulation;
- prevent the development of gastrointestinal disorders;
- favor the strengthening of the cardiovascular system.
If you add a little honey in it, then this drink will disengage excess fat and contribute to the general rejuvenation of the body.
The most popular drink that goes well with honey and taste, and useful properties - this, of course, tea. However, when preparing this drink, you must follow certain rules. For example, you can not put sweetness immediately in freshly prepared tea, because at a temperature above + 50 ° C honey loses a lot of valuable properties. Nutritionists recommend eating it separately, drinking tea.
There are many other recipes for drinks, including the use of honey, which is used for weight loss.
Here are some of the most popular.
- Honey drink with cinnamon. Cooking steps: 10 g of cinnamon pour 1 tbsp. boiling water. Insist 30 minutes, add 1 tsp. honey To accept 2 times a day - on an empty stomach in the morning and in the evening on 100 ml. The combination of honey and cinnamon not only promotes weight loss, but also actively lowers the concentration of cholesterol, improves blood circulation and cleanses the blood of toxins. In addition, this tool is recommended for people who suffer from insomnia at night.
- With lemon. Prepare 1 glass of green tea. Cool slightly. Add lemon and 2 tsp. honey Take the drink warm.
- With ginger. Grind 50 g of ginger in a blender and add 1 tbsp. chilled boiled water. Boil the mixture. Cool and strain through cheesecloth. Add 2 tsp. lemon juice and 1 tsp. honey Drink such a ginger drink should be on an empty stomach in the morning and evening.
- With apple cider vinegar. Mix in a glass of cool water 1 tbsp. l honey and apple vinegar.
- With turmeric. In 1 glass of warm water mix 1 tsp. honey and 1/2 tsp. turmeric Take this drink should be on an empty stomach. The course of treatment on average lasts 10-12 days, after which a break for two weeks is taken, after which it is possible to start taking this remedy again. Turmeric has many valuable qualities, especially for those who want to lose weight. This spice is actively involved in the removal of degradation products from the body, helps to normalize the functioning of the digestive tract, stimulates metabolism and prevents weight gain.
- Kefir with honey. In 1 cup of kefir should add 2 tsp. honey and stir well. Such a cocktail can be drunk on an empty stomach, replacing them with breakfast or dinner. Also kefir drink is quite useful as a light diet snack, because it is not only a minimum of calories, but also a major "supplier" of probiotics, which contribute to the improvement of the digestive system.
For the preparation of this drink is not recommended to use fat-free kefir. It is best to take a fermented milk product with 5% fat.
Remember that these recipes are not an absolute panacea for burning fat. The body of each of us has its own individual characteristics, so medicine does not know one for all the universal way of losing weight.And if any of these recipes does not lead to a quick loss of kilograms, then do not despair - there are other ways.
Interesting fact. The first person to use honey for cosmetic purposes was the famous Egyptian ruler Cleopatra. Various recipes of masks for face and body, belonging to her authorship, can still be found in the virtual space. Cleopatra noticed that honey heals the skin due to the fact that it activates blood circulation, as a result of which the tissues are much more saturated with oxygen and nutrients. Also, honey can have a peculiar lifting effect.
It is important to know that these masks are recommended to be applied on previously steamed skin.
How to use?
Those who want a slimming diet using honey to be as effective as possible, It is necessary to adhere to the following principles of taking this product
- Try to use only natural honey. Avoid fakes - it can harm your health. Unfortunately, in our time, both small retail stores and large retail chains are literally flooded with counterfeit products.
- If there are contraindications, the use of honey will have to be abandoned. Do not neglect this rule! Honey - the strongest allergen, the use of which can cause the development of life-threatening conditions, such as angioedema or anaphylactic shock.
- No need to add honey to boiling water, because in this way the product loses a significant proportion of its beneficial properties.
- Do not exceed the permissible daily dose of this delicacy. Remember, honey is a very high-calorie product, so in this case the principle “the more you eat, the more benefit” does not work.
- Pay attention to the condition of the teeth during the honey diet. Sugar, which is rich in honey, creates a very favorable environment in the mouth for the active development of bacterial flora.
Judging by the reviews, the overwhelming majority of people who want to lose weight without much effort, it turns out to do this with the help of honey combined with other products. Even if for some reason it is not possible to lose those extra pounds, then at least as a result of the diet there is a significant improvement in all vital indicators.
It should also be recalled that you can eat honey not only when there is a strong desire to lose those extra pounds. Take this sweetness is recommended as a natural dietary supplement for the general strengthening of the body and improving well-being.
Interesting fact. Honey helps relieve withdrawal symptoms. So with a hangover, a person can relieve a few teaspoons of this product.
What to add?
Apply honey can not only inside as an ingredient in a variety of dishes and drinks. This valuable product is widely used for external use during cosmetic procedures.
For example, honey can be used when taking a bath.
For this you need to prepare a special mixture:
- 2 liters of cow's milk;
- 200 g of honey;
- a few drops of essential oil.
All of these ingredients should be mixed until a homogeneous mass. The resulting milk is added to the prepared water. You can take a honey bath for about 15 to 20 minutes. To enhance the therapeutic effect, during the procedure you can do light self-massage on the problem areas of the body.
Also among women who want to find harmony, the procedure of honey wrapping is very popular. This is one of the most effective means in the fight against hated cellulite.
First you need to prepare the mixture for wrapping. To do this, add a few drops of citrus essential oil to 200 g of honey.
Before proceeding directly to the procedure, the skin must be steamed out. This can be done in the bath or sauna. After that, the honey mass is applied with massage movements to the problem areas.Next, this place is wrapped with cling film, and warm clothes are put on top. After 1-2 hours, the mask should be washed off the skin.
For a stronger anti-cellulite effect in the mixture for wrapping, you can add 1 tbsp. l mustard At the same time to keep on the skin such a mixture can be no more than 40 minutes.
Honey wraps are effective not only in the fight against cellulite. They have a rejuvenating effect, after which the skin becomes more tender and elastic.
Honey massage is also popular among women. Basically, this procedure is used by women who want to get rid of excess fat on the abdomen. The technique of such a massage is quite simple. Before the procedure you need to take a hot shower. In this case, it is not only the necessary hygienic treatment of the body, so the hot water rushes blood to the stomach. For a better effect of massage the skin of the abdomen is recommended to proscrabate. Next, on the moist skin of the abdomen you need to apply a thin layer of honey (you can add a couple of drops of citrus oil to the honey). It takes a few minutes to wait until the honey is absorbed into the skin. Next, apply the next layer.
Massage is performed with light circular movements. The whole session lasts an average of 10-15 minutes (until the moment when the skin begins to redden). After completion of the procedure, the honey is washed off the skin, after which a nourishing cream is applied.
Recommendations
Bee products are often subject to forgery. However, there are methods for determining the authenticity of this product. These include a subjective assessment of the appearance, the use of gadgets, as well as laboratory research.
Real honey, used as a fat burner, is a product from the beginning to the end processed by bees. There is also a pad, in its characteristics resembling a natural product. It has many useful properties. But its essential disadvantage is that it has a short shelf life, it is significantly inferior to honey in taste, fermented, does not smell.
In addition, artificial, sugar (made from sugar syrup), as well as heated (viscous honey with the help of heating is brought to a liquid consistency), sick (made by sick or stuffed with medicines by bees) honey are often found on the market.
To choose a truly quality product, you need to follow two basic rules.
- You should purchase the product on the market from a proven beekeeper, and not in large retail chains.
- If the seller of honey is unknown to you, then ask him to give you a small sample for testing. After all, not everything can be determined on the spot, and hoping to spend a lot of money hoping for it is not the most reasonable decision. In extreme cases, you can order a professional laboratory analysis of honey to dispel all your doubts.
There are several ways to independently verify the quality of honey.
- Scoop up the honey with a spoon and follow the character of the jet: if it is not interrupted, you can not worry - you have bought a quality product. If honey drips, then, unfortunately, you have a counterfeit or diluted honey.
- If the bank clearly shows several layers differing in color and structure of the crystals, then there is reason to think that it is not natural.
- Honey should have a homogeneous consistency without stains.
- Have a little experience: add some honey to the milk. A good natural product will not collapse.
- Honey, from beginning to end produced by bees, should have a pleasant natural aroma, with no obvious signs of synthetic impurities.
- If you set fire to paper smeared with a good product, it will melt.
- When adding a natural substance to tea, the drink will darken a little, but the precipitate will not fall out.
Basic rules for storing honey.
- The optimum temperature for storing honey varies in the range above +5 and below -10 degrees. When the temperature is too cold, the product changes its consistency: it becomes harder and crystallizes.When exposed to too high temperatures, honey loses most of its valuable qualities, acquires a darker shade and bitterness.
- Honey should be stored in a place with low humidity, protected from direct sunlight, to prevent the destruction of nutrients in the product. The most suitable place to store this delicacy is a closed cupboard in the kitchen.
- Tableware, where honey is stored, should be glass, ceramic, clay or wood.
Since ancient times, honey has been called "liquid gold" not so much because of its specific color, but because of the unique properties that this product possesses. If you decide to bring your figure into proper form with the help of a honey diet and procedures involving the use of this delicacy, remember that if you ignore the rules of administration and dosage regimen, even the most useful product may be ineffective or even cause health problems. Therefore, it would be ideal, before changing your diet, including meals and drinks with the addition of honey, to consult with a nutritionist.
You should also pay special attention to contraindications to the use of this sweet product, because in the case of individual intolerance or some somatic diseases, the use of honey can result in the development of quite serious adverse reactions.
The choice of honey is important: a product obtained by artificial means does not have beneficial properties, but, on the contrary, can harm health. In addition, an important role is played by adherence to the basic principles of honey storage.
How to cook cinnamon with honey for weight loss, see the next video.