Content
- 1 The chemical composition of sunflower honey
- 2 What color is sunflower honey
- 3 Why sunflower honey is useful
- 4 Sunflower honey harm
- 5 Calorie content of sunflower honey
- 6 Contraindications to sunflower honey
- 7 Rules for the use of sunflower honey
- 8 The use of sunflower honey in traditional medicine
- 9 Terms and conditions of storage
- 10 How to check sunflower honey
- 11 Conclusion
- 12 Sunflower honey reviews
Sunflower honey is not in great demand among buyers. Doubts are caused by the absence of a strong characteristic odor. But beekeepers consider this kind of bee products to be one of the most valuable.
The chemical composition of sunflower honey
In the chemical composition of the honey variety taken from sunflower, glucose is in the first place. When left standing, it even collects at the top like cream in milk. Because of this, sugaring occurs very quickly. Faster than other varieties. In addition to glucose, sunflower bribes contain:
- vitamins C, K, E, group B;
- potassium;
- copper;
- manganese;
- iodine;
- calcium;
- sodium;
- phosphorus;
- selenium;
- magnesium;
- cobalt;
- aluminum;
- β-carotene;
- solanic acid;
- betaine;
- enzymes.
Also sunflower honey contains 6 amino acids. Or 7. Or 27. In fact, no one did the analysis for amino acids. More detailed chemical composition in the table below.
The composition of soils in the regions is different, therefore the content of elements in beekeeping products varies.
What color is sunflower honey
Immediately after pumping out, the honey color range is yellow. Its color can be:
- bright yellow;
- light amber;
- golden.
Sometimes a greenish tint is possible.
The sugaring rate of this variety is very high: 2-3 weeks. The hardened product darkens slightly and is covered with a white film on top - glucose. In sealed honeycombs, the crystallization process is not so fast, but beekeepers prefer not to leave bribes from sunflower to bees for the winter. He will have time to harden.
The smell is also different from the usual one. It can smell like hay or pollen. Some, perhaps due to its association with butter, believe that this variety has the smell of fried potatoes.
Why sunflower honey is useful
Basically, the beneficial properties of sunflower honey are attributed to its high glucose content. But in this aspect, it is rather needed to quickly get additional energy. Glucose is the most easily digestible sugar found in nature. How useful it is for cardiac activity is an ambiguous question. But muscles get energy for sure.
Sunflower honey has a very high enzymatic activity, due to which it normalizes the work of all body systems well. It is used
- with neuralgia;
- in the treatment of the genitourinary system;
- with diseases of the cardiovascular system;
- to normalize the digestive system;
- in diseases of the respiratory organs.
An important feature of sunflower honey is its diuretic effect. Not strong, of course, but it helps get rid of minor swelling.
A set of amino acids normalizes the synthesis of proteins in the body. In general, this variety is recommended for general strengthening of the immune system.
Sunflower honey harm
Honey can be damaged if a person is allergic to bee products. It is not useful for people suffering from diabetes either. It is undesirable to give sweetness to small children.But this is a standard situation: babies often develop diathesis for allergenic foods.
Calorie content of sunflower honey
Caloric content depends on the amount of glucose. Since its percentage can fluctuate, on average 100 g of honey obtained from sunflower contains 310-320 Kcal.
Any sweets have a high calorie content.
Contraindications to sunflower honey
Contraindications are due to the harm that any kind of honey can cause. This product must not be consumed:
- in the presence of allergies;
- with children's diathesis;
- with diabetes mellitus;
- during pregnancy and breastfeeding of the child.
Also, it is not recommended to use it for obesity. But this is not connected with harm, but with the calorie content of the product. To the same extent, if you are overweight, it is desirable to exclude sugar from the diet.
Rules for the use of sunflower honey
The rule of moderation in food applies to any food. Excessive consumption of sweetness, at best, will lead to weight gain. At worst, the development of diabetes.
Provided that sweet bee products are consumed daily, its maximum rate is no more than 50 g. It is best to take sunflower honey on an empty stomach in the morning and in the amount of no more than 3 dessert spoons.
The use of sunflower honey in traditional medicine
Beekeeping products have long been used in folk medicine. And everything is used: from honey to dead bees. The first is very popular for colds: a glass of hot milk or water plus honey to taste. But there are other areas of application:
- Diseases of the gastrointestinal tract: 2 tsp 1.5 cups of water. Take within a month in 30 minutes. before meals 2-3 times a day. The maximum dose is 100 ml.
- Anemia: 100 g per day for a month. Drink with kefir or sour milk.
- Stomatitis and periodontal disease: used as a disinfectant. ½ tsp 1.5 cups of water. Rinse your mouth every day after brushing your teeth.
- Hemorrhoids: enemas and lotions based on 2 tsp. and 1.5 cups of warm water. Enemas daily, lotions are applied for 20-30 minutes to the problem area. Bee products have a wound healing and disinfecting effect.
- Cracked heels: smeared with a mixture of 80 g of honey, 20 of any fat, 3 g of "Xeroform" and covered with a gauze bandage. The procedure is carried out every 2-3 days at night. In this case, the sweet delicacy works as a wound healing agent, the Xeroform powder destroys bacteria.
The last two uses have arisen from wound dressings with honey. During the absence of antibiotics, honey was used as an antiseptic for dressings. In modern conditions, it is better to apply a bandage with an antibacterial drug, but, in extreme cases, you can recall the experience of your ancestors.
At home, a hermetically sealed glass jar is optimal for storing honey.
Terms and conditions of storage
Honey is a natural preservative and antibiotic. It does not grow moldy or sour. He does not need special storage conditions. Although certain rules should be followed:
- store in a dark place, as ultraviolet light destroys the structure of the product;
- optimal storage temperature 0-20 ° С;
- protect from moisture, otherwise honey will quickly become moldy;
- do not store next to strong-smelling products to avoid the appearance of a foreign odor;
- storage utensils must be resistant to oxidation.
Aluminum and metal containers are not suitable. For storage, you need to choose glass, ceramic or enamel jars.
Sugaring occurs due to the fact that the natural product contains pollen particles around which saccharides begin to crystallize. The quality does not deteriorate from this. If you want to keep the product in a liquid state for as long as possible, it is placed in hermetically sealed jars.
Heating destroys the structure of the product. But, contrary to misconceptions, it is possible to store it in the refrigerator. But not in the freezer.
Such a bright yellow color of sunflower honey, as in the photo, can easily raise suspicion of a fake:
If honey is not cleaned of pollen, it will harden sooner or later.
How to check sunflower honey
Any varieties are checked in the same way, since the main characteristics of this delicacy are the same. But there are quite a few ways to check the goods offered for sale:
- Rub the drop with your fingers. If a lump has formed or a watery consistency appears, it is a fake. Fingers stuck together - a natural product.
- Place a drop of liquid honey on the paper. It should not spread;
- dissolve in water. Particles of additives will stand out from the fake and settle to the bottom.
- Add iodine and stir. The appearance of a blue color indicates the presence of starch in the counterfeit.
- Pour in vinegar. If it hissed, it means that there is chalk in the honey mass.
- Make a 10% solution and pour it into rubbing alcohol in a 4: 1 ratio. The appearance of a white precipitate will indicate the presence of molasses.
- Again a white sheet of paper. If, 5 minutes after the drop hits the paper, a wet spot appears on the reverse side, a fake is put up for sale.
- With a piece of bread. Place it in liquid honey. After 15 minutes, the bread will harden, if the product is natural, and soak in the counterfeit.
This still applies to still liquid honey, but the product from sunflower crystallizes faster than other varieties. It can be tested with a flame. You need to take a small piece and try to "set it on fire". Natural will melt and become liquid. The fake will start to crackle and hiss. This indicates the presence of foreign matter.
Conclusion
Sunflower honey is not inferior to any other varieties in terms of its beneficial qualities and nutritional value. In the absence of a smell, you can always experimentally make sure before buying that this is not a fake.
