Here’s Why Your Mental Health Loves Honey!

Generally speaking, in our everyday lives, whether it is a slight burn, sore throat or weight loss vows we prefer relying on honey for all our needs. However, when it comes to honey for mental health most people become sceptical of this wonder nectar’s benefits. It’s time to change that! 

Let’s explore the link between mental health and honey and how having honey in your hand can actually benefit your mind in more ways than one. However, before we jump onto honey for depression and honey for mental health, let us first understand what does mental health mean?

What is mental health?

To put it simply, mental health is defined as an ongoing state of well-being and happiness wherein an individual is able to cope with the normal stresses of life all the while working productively and realising his/her abilities. However, it so happens that sometimes people start facing mental health concerns due to a multitude of reasons, which are as follows: 

Brain chemistry - The naturally occurring chemicals in the brain that usually carry signals to other parts of the brain and body are known as neurotransmitters. Sometimes, the neural networks that involve these chemicals become impaired, and thereafter the function of the nerve system and nerve receptors also changes. This in turn leads to various mental health disorders such as depression, anxiety etc. 

Genetic traits - Several studies in the last few years have indicated a link between mental health and genetics. It is thus believed that mental illness is usually far more common in people whose blood relatives also suffer from a similar illness. 

How is honey good for mental health?

To begin with, honey is known to contain an antioxidant called pinocembrin that does not just help improve the overall brain function but also plays a fundamental role in inducing neuroprotective effects in the mind. In other words, the pinocembrin antioxidant flavonoid has certain properties that basically protect the brain and nerve cells from damage and this in turn reduces the chances of mental health disorders such as strokes, anxiety, depression, and Alzheimer’s disease.

However, some studies linking mental health and honey suggest that this antioxidant also contains anti-inflammatory properties that target the “neuro-inflammation” in the brain which is often a primary cause of dementia in individuals. 

Now, we all know mental health is an umbrella term that includes a number of other key factors as well. So, let us study the link between mental health and honey a little more deeply by understanding the benefits of honey for mental health constituents: 

1. Insomnia 

When we discuss the benefits of honey for mental health, it is imperative to understand how honey plays a key role in treating insomnia as well. This is because insomnia is closely linked to depression and is often considered as one of the first symptoms of depression. Moreover, an unhealthy sleep cycle can also trigger depression and anxiety in those who are prone to it. 

Now, honey is known to be rich tryptophan. This nutrient plays a key role in relaxing the body, and when people consume honey for mental health, this nutrient directly reaches the brain. Thereafter, the brain converts tryptophan into a hormone called serotonin which in turn has a positive effect on the mood, sleep and appetite. 

However, that’s not all, the serotonin which gets released from the brain further reaches the pineal gland which converts it to melatonin, a nutrient that is a well-known cure for sleep disorders. In a nutshell, if you are suffering from insomnia then try honey for mental health improvement. 

2. Memory 

Needless to say, honey contains a multitude of antioxidants that reduce cell damage and thus protect the brain. Taking honey for mental health is recommended due to the antidepressant properties that improve the oxidative status of the brain and promote memory power. 

Additionally, it is a rather lesser-known fact but honey actually aids the body in absorption of calcium as well which in itself plays a crucial role in promoting brain health and function. Therefore, it is often recommended to consume honey for depression twice a day for improved memory function. 

To know more, check out our previous blog on how honey can help prevent Alzheimer’s Disease! 

3. Anxiety and Stress 

Honey soothes the body and calms the mind. Based on recent studies on mental health and depression, honey actually contains anxiolytic properties as well, that are especially beneficial for reducing anxiety and relieving stress. These properties basically support the health of the central nervous system and exert an excitatory effect on the brain, which in turn helps to mitigate anxiety. Additionally, not many people realise that eating sugar on a regular basis usually exacerbates the feelings of anxiety, fatigue, nervousness and brain fog. 

Honey contains a moderated level of glucose and sugar which positively affects mental health without triggering the feelings of stress. It is due to this reason that people not only recommend honey for depression but also for relieving anxiety and stress in people suffering from serious mental health disorders. 

4. Gut Health (yes, it affects your brain!) 

Though surprising, just as there is a link between mental health and honey, there is actually a connection between digestive health and mental health as well. Now, this connection usually goes both ways - A troubled brain generally sends signals to the intestine which is why many people who are going through stress in their lives often notice a change in their eating habits and metabolism rate as well. Likewise, an upset intestine also sends signals to the brain and this in turn leads to stress, anxiety and depression. 

So, now the question arises - how does taking honey for mental health benefit the stomach? Honey basically contains prebiotic fibre that promotes the growth of the good bacteria in the stomach and thus ensures a good digestive system. Additionally, honey also contains certain enzymes that act as catalysts in the digestion process and thus help disintegrate the carbohydrates and sugar, excess of which is known to affect the gut health negatively. 

While most studies and articles establish a link between mental health and honey and confirm that using honey for mental health can be a sure shot solution, you should still speak to your doctor once to know whether such treatments will suit you. Honey does not have any side-effects, but it’s always better to be on the safer side! 

In this post our sole aim was to enlighten our readers with the science behind the benefits of honey for mental health. Now, if you too are looking to improve your mental health, then without further ado buy a bottle of Eiwahoney for depression today.