Buckwheat honey is made by honeybees that collect nectar and process it from buckwheat flowers. The macronutrient concentration of this honey is higher and is also made up of antioxidant compounds. The Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry confirmed that buckwheat honey had very high antioxidant strength. The antioxidants boost the immunity and compounds that reduce the free radicals and combats their side effects.
The Nutritional Profile of Buckwheat Honey
Every serving of 21 gms of this honey contains
| Calories | 60 |
| Total Fat | 0 g |
| Sodium | 0 g |
| Carbohydrates | 17 g |
| Net Carbs | 17 g |
| Sugar | 16 g |
What Are the Buckwheat Honey Health Benefits?
The buckwheat honey benefits(1) are as follows.
1. Buckwheat Full of Antioxidants
Research from Cornell University states that the antioxidants present in buckwheat honey are beneficial for cardiac health as it increases the production of good cholesterol and promotes the breakdown of bad cholesterol in the body. Don’t think twice before opting for this honey as it is extremely rich in antioxidants.
2. Buckwheat Is Rich in Vitamins and Minerals
This honey makes an excellent source of vitamins and minerals that are essential for growth in the body. It contains potassium, which is required for the smooth functioning of the body’s heart, nerve, and muscle. Betaine, a compound present in this honey, helps in better functioning of the liver and reduces the risk of heart disease. Use this honey by combining it with healthy food such as grain toast, Greek yogurt, or fruits.
[Read: Health Benefits of Using Honey for Babies]
3. Buckwheat has Calories
This honey has a large number of calories with every serving. It helps in keeping your body more energetic and prevents lethargy.
4. Buckwheat helps in healing of wounds
This honey is beneficial in treating injuries as it draws the moisture out of the wounds and helps to kill bacteria. It has high sugar content and low pH, and that is how it prevents the growth of bacteria and microbes from inhibiting the wound.
5. Buckwheat honey for Coughs
It is very useful and safe to use this honey for children as a remedy to cure cough at night to treat respiratory problems. It is a better alternative than over the counter medicines. Archives of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, 2007 mentioned in a study of children aged 2-18 years who received dextromethorphan(2), and some received buckwheat honey while the rest weren’t given any treatment for cold and cough. The study concluded that buckwheat honey was better than “no cure” and also performed better than cough syrups.
[Read: Surprising Buckwheat Health Benefits ]
6. Buckwheat- An Alternative for Sugar
White sugar is extremely harmful and has long term side-effects. The health benefits of Buckwheat honey are ample as it replaces white sugar and can be used as an alternative for maple syrup. You can add it to toasts, waffles, and pancakes.
How to Consume Buckwheat Honey
Honey for Immunity
Method – Take 1 tbsp of honey and consume it to add it to milkshakes, food, pancakes, oatmeal. Having it every day keeps up your immunity and prevents common flu and viral infections.
[Read: Manuka Honey Benefits]
Buckwheat Honey for Cough
Method – Make a herbal tea by adding some ginger, cardamom, cloves and basil leaves to 2 cups of water. Once the water is reduced to a cup strain and add some honey to it, drink this tea twice daily to get rid of the cough.
Side-Effects
Buckwheat honey can cause a rare gastrointestinal condition called infant botulism. This honey must never be used for babies less than a year. A drop of this honey can be hazardous for infants. The bacteria present in the spores might grow and multiply in the baby’s intestine and produce hazardous toxins.
You might experience allergic symptoms like
- Nausea
- Rashes
- Wheezing
- Vomiting
- Weakness
- Palpitation
- Burning after topical application
[Read: Honey For Allergies]
Consuming buckwheat honey every day has shown rapid improvements in the antioxidant levels of blood. It also has been known to prevent lipid peroxidation or damage to lipids caused by cholesterol. This dark-colored honey has the highest composition of phenolic compounds. Use it to make your favorite gingerbread or barbecue sauce or to brew your favorite beer.
FAQs
1. Does Buckwheat Honey Go Bad?
Buckwheat honey does not crystallize meaning, with the time you can’t see through it anymore, and it becomes less liquid and more solid.
2. What’s the Difference Between Buckwheat Honey and Regular Honey?
This honey is very dark honey and also has a pleasant sweet taste to it. Buckwheat honey is pungent in flavor with molasses and malty tones and a lingering aftertaste. As a general rule, darker honey tends to be higher in antioxidant compounds than lighter ones.
