Doubts such as whether honey makes you fat or spoil are still very common. With that in mind, check out some important information about him.
Honey is a natural sweetener, an expectorant, an ingredient in sweet and savory foods and also an exfoliant… But, even though it has been used for thousands of years for various purposes, there are still those who have common doubts, for example whether honey honey fattening or spoil.
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That said, Daniele Cavalcante, PhD in Food Technology, president of the Brazilian Association for the Study of Bees (ABELHA) and CEO of Baldoni, clarified some of the main questions about this nutritious and delicious food. Check it out below!
Does honey make you fat?
Like any food high in sugar, honey should be consumed in moderation by people who are losing weight.
“This is not unique to honey, any food consumed in excess will eventually lead to weight gain. But as part of a balanced diet prepared with the help of a professional, honey can be a healthier alternative with sugar, refined or cane, and synthetic sweeteners, to make the food tastier”, he points out. It is also important to point out that honey should not be consumed by children under the age of two.
Does honey not spoil?
It is very common to hear, especially from the elderly, that honey is a food that never goes bad. However, when we buy it, an expiration date is printed on the packaging. Being composed of 80% sugars (mainly fructose and glucose) and low in water, it constitutes an unsuitable environment for the proliferation of microorganisms, such as bacteria and fungi.
“Although the expiration date printed on the package is approximately 24 months, if well stored away from light and humidity, the product does not deteriorate and can be consumed after this period, although it is important to remember that the nutritional guarantees defined by the manufacturer’s regulations will be valid within the established rules”, underlines Cavalcante.
“Spoiled honey, due to high humidity and incorrect storage, is easy to recognize. It ferments and has a very characteristic smell, similar to alcohol or vinegar. If it has any of these characteristics, the honey does not go well consumed under any circumstances,” he explains.
Is the crystallized product damaged?
Even well preserved, it is not uncommon to find honey with a few pebbles, which even makes it very difficult to remove the food from the tube. For many people this is a sign that the honey has gone bad or is an inferior product, but it is neither.
Crystallization is a natural process that occurs over time. “It is a good sign that the honey is legitimate, 100% natural, and that it has not undergone any process that would have caused it to lose its properties and nutrients. adulteration”, underlines Cavalcante.
In these cases, in order for the crystallized honey to become viscous again, just follow these steps:
- Heat the water in a saucepan large enough to submerge the entire package, leaving the lid on the outside;
- Turn off the heat when the water temperature reaches 45ºC, do not boil the water: the temperature should be sufficient to keep your hand immersed for five seconds;
- Leave the package long enough for the crystals to dissolve;
- If necessary, heat the water again.
Important: never put it in the microwave. This can cause honey to lose its nutritional properties.
Does honey contain sugar?
Honey is synonymous with sweetness, but what makes it sweet anyway? Natural sugars produced by bees from flower nectar.
Honey is basically composed of monosaccharides, such as glucose and fructose, but it is also rich in proteins, amino acids, organic acids and other substances, such as maltose and other oligosaccharides, which are also sugars, such as sucrose. Brown sugar contains only glucose.
Where to store honey?
The most suitable place to store honey is a pantry or closet. The most important thing is that the product is protected from light and humidity, this will help it maintain its nutritional characteristics and all the nutrients.
Source: Terra
Ben Stock is a lifestyle journalist and author at Gossipify. He writes about topics such as health, wellness, travel, food and home decor. He provides practical advice and inspiration to improve well-being, keeps readers up to date with latest lifestyle news and trends, known for his engaging writing style, in-depth analysis and unique perspectives.
