The sugar we put in our tea everyday could be poisoning us slowly according to a report by the Kenya Bureau of Standards (KEBS).
Recent tests on one of the consignments seized in the ongoing crackdown on contraband sugar that has flooded the Kenyan market, found that there were 20.7 milligrams of the metal per Kg of sugar. Up-to 20 times above the recommended levels of copper and lead.
This revelation is heart wrenching considering many counties have seized this contraband sugar. It’s becoming clear that some of the foods we buy in our supermarkets are not fir for consumption and we need to come up with solutions or substitutes.
For instance instead of using sugar you can reach for honey to sweeten your next cup of tea. While honey does pack in a few more calories per serving than sugar, using local, raw honey boasts antioxidants to fight disease and improve your health. While honey can be a bit expensive when purchased from a store or farmer, you can try keeping bees in your backyard and get honey directly from your beehives. A beehive costs between Ksh 3,500-Ksh5,000
Honey has a lot of benefits that will not only sweeten your tea but improve your health. Below are some of the benefits of honey:
- Reducing the duration of diarrhea- Honey has been shown to decrease the severity and duration of diarrhea. Honey also promotes increased potassium and water intake, which is particularly helpful when experiencing diarrhea.
- Preventing acid reflux – Recent research has shown that honey can reduce the upward flow of stomach acid and undigested food by lining the esophagus and stomach.
- Relieving cold and cough symptoms- The World Health Organization (WHO) recommends honey as a natural cough remedy.
- Honey’s sweet flavor makes it an ideal substitute for sugar in the diet. Added sugar in the diet provides excess calories with no nutritional benefit. This can lead to an increased body weight, which comes with an increased risk of high blood pressure and diabetes. Honey can be added to food and beverages to sweeten the taste without the negative health impact of added sugars. However, since honey is still a sweetener, it is important to remain mindful of how much honey being is used.
If you are interested in starting your own bee keeping (honey production) activity check out this insightful articles below:
