Honey and child health: Is it beneficial or harmful?
The relationship between honey and children's health is somewhat ambiguous. Despite the many benefits honey can offer children, studies have shown that children should not be given honey before they reach a certain age.To ensure your children are completely safe from any harm that may result from consuming honey, you should follow the guidelines issued by the World Health Organization. The organization has stated that children under 12 months of age are among the groups prohibited from consuming honey.
You can start introducing honey into your child's diet once they are over one year old. At that time, your child can receive it directly or by adding it to water.
Treating respiratory problems in children
Children are often prone to respiratory problems, which is why the relationship between honey and children's health is so clear. Honey is rich in vitamin C, which can boost children's immunity and reduce the risk of seasonal allergies.Honey's anti-inflammatory properties make it a prime candidate for treating congestion, so mothers are advised to give their children a dose of honey before bedtime, as this will help them breathe better.
Honey plays a clear role in reducing throat infections. It eliminates dry throats thanks to its thick consistency, in addition to significantly soothing coughs.
Read also: What is the difference between natural honey and artificial honey?
The role of honey in protecting the liver
Mothers rush to give their children painkillers containing large doses of paracetamol as soon as they experience pain or fever. However, this is extremely dangerous, as prolonged use of these doses can cause liver damage.Giving your child a spoonful of honey daily will reduce the side effects of paracetamol, and honey will be a protective shield for your child's liver.
Give your children a good night's sleep using honey.
A child's lack of adequate sleep is a major problem, as it negatively impacts their activity and vitality throughout the day. Therefore, mothers should incorporate honey into their children's diet plans, as it can permanently relieve sleep disturbances.Honey contains natural sugars such as glucose and fructose, which raise blood insulin levels. Insulin releases a neurotransmitter known as serotonin, which then converts into melatonin, a hormone known for its significant role in improving sleep quality.
Giving children the energy needed for motor development
Children are constantly moving, and this is healthy and essential for their motor development. However, this activity requires them to constantly obtain energy, and this is one of the benefits that honey offers your children.The relationship between honey and child health can be leveraged to provide children with energy boosts. Honey is rich in carbohydrates and vitamin B6, making it a strong candidate for keeping children active.
The role of honey in accelerating the healing of children's wounds
Children are prone to injury due to their impulsive nature. In such cases, honey is an effective solution to speed up the healing of these wounds. This is achieved through a clear plan of action that honey follows to the letter.Honey reduces swelling in wounds due to its anti-inflammatory properties. Its antibacterial properties also help reduce the risk of wound infection. This allows for faster healing as damaged skin tissue regenerates.
The effect of honey on the child's digestive system
While discussing honey and children's health, we cannot ignore the benefits of honey for children suffering from various digestive problems. Honey stimulates metabolism, which means better digestion of food. Therefore, honey can treat stomach aches in children.In addition to treating indigestion, honey can protect children from a variety of digestive conditions, reducing the risk of stomach ulcers and other bacterial infections that negatively impact the digestive system.
The effect of honey on dental health
The relationship between honey and children's health is not limited to the benefits we mentioned above. This relationship also extends to dental health. A New Zealand research team found that natural, unprocessed honey reduces the amount of acids produced by certain types of bacteria that inhabit the mouth. In this way, honey may be able to reduce the risk of tooth decay in children.For its part, the team was able to discover some of the enzymes found in honey, which stimulate the production of hydrogen peroxide, a broad-spectrum disinfectant. Through this, honey can be relied upon to combat gum disease, which affects children at an early age.
Buy natural honey in Saudi Arabia
It is important to note that the relationship between honey and children's health—which we have explained in detail in the previous paragraphs of this article—is specific to raw, natural honey. It does not apply to processed honey, which undergoes industrial processes that completely strip it of its nutritional value.We recommend Fahad Al-Qanun's store to you for the finest types of raw natural honey in the Kingdom. We chose this store specifically due to the quality of its products and its commitment to preserving honey in the correct ways that maintain its nutritional value over the years.
Northern Sidr honey , Hijaz mountain Sidr honey , and Hail Talh honey are the most prominent types of local honey you can buy from the store. Don't miss the opportunity to get Fahd Al-Qanun's mixture, which is capable of providing your children with countless therapeutic benefits.
Read also: Where can I find original Sidr honey? Here's the best place to find it.
When and how is honey safe for children's health?
Honey is completely safe for babies after their first year of life, as confirmed by the World Health Organization and many nutrition experts.As for whether honey is safe for your child's health, this matter cannot be determined without consulting a specialist doctor. This is because some children may exhibit an allergic reaction to honey and other bee by-products. Therefore, even if a child reaches the age of one, this does not constitute a sufficient guarantee for including honey in their diet. Medical advice remains essential before proceeding with giving your child doses of honey.
The appropriate daily dose of honey for children
- Mothers of children over two years old are advised to give them a daily dose of honey, not exceeding 25 grams.
- It is important not to exceed this dose, as exceeding it can cause many harms to children, including weight gain, tooth decay, or digestive upset.
Sources
This is what happens to your body when you eat honey daily
