While most people use honey to preserve and sweeten food, some use it as an ointment. Researchers are now looking into whether this sweet substance has anti-inflammatory capabilities.
A Nebraska-based multidisciplinary team led by University of Nebraska members has looked at the potential impact honey has on the NLRP3 protein, which triggers the body’s inflammation process during immune responses. But, the NLRP3 protein has been linked to Alzheimer’s disease and diabetes as well. Researchers published their results in the “Identification of anti‐inflammatory vesicle‐like nanoparticles in honey” article.
Honey’s History as a Treatment Solution
Honey is 95% sugar. This is what helps make it such a popular sweetener all across the globe. Researchers jotted down that honey has been used as a medicine, ointment, and nutrient for centuries now in their abstract.
A review that was done in 2013 which examined both the modern and traditional uses of this sweet component for human ailments defined honey as being the by-product of the honey bee’s aero-digestive tract and flower nectar. It is made complete by the dehydration process that happens in the beehive.
Humans have been using honey as far back as 8000-years ago. Many ancient cultures used it as medicine, and there have been many studies that have been conducted over the years to examine its medical benefits. So far, research has shown that it has some inhibiting properties that can help battle some kinds of bacteria.
Anti-Inflammatory Properties
Jiujiu Yu and the team found extracellular vesicles, tiny membrane-protected organelle components with ribonucleic acids, protein, and several other biomolecules. These components apparently have anti-inflammatory capabilities. This means that honey can help in the anti-inflammatory process.
