Experts say it's a valuable medicine too - and it contains important nutrients which sugar doesn't have — making it the sweetener of choice for many.

Energizes your workout (continued).
When exercising to stay healthy, you need extra energy to stay with your workout routine. Carbohydrates are a great source; they also strengthen your muscles, repair tissue damage, and help maintain a strong immune system.

Adding Mel-O® Honey to your drink is a great way to increase your natural intake of carbohydrates. It works like expensive powder gels athletes use, but at a fraction of the cost. You can take honey before a walk or an aerobics class, but it's more effective after exercise, when your body needs the carbohydrates to replace the ones you burned.

Honey also contains vitamins, minerals, antioxidants and amino acids. Dr. Susan Percival of the University of Florida’s Department of Food Science and Human Nutrition found honey contains vitamin B6, thiamin, riboflavin and pantothenic acid.

Essential minerals, such as calcium, copper, iron, magnesium, manganese, phosphorus, potassium, sodium and zinc, are also found in honey. "In addition, several different amino acids, the building blocks of protein, have been identified in honey." says Dr. Percival.

For additional information visit: "Honey May be the Ideal Pre-Workout Energy Source"

Honey spells doom for bacteria by slowly releasing antiseptic hydrogen peroxide over several hours. In fact, hospitals around the world are using honey as a healing salve on abrasions, burns, amputations, diabetic ulcers, bedsores, and surgical wounds.

Dr. Peter Molan, a leading expert on honey's healing powers for 20 years, reports, "Excellent results are being obtained with cases that have gone unhealed for long periods of time with the best modern conventional treatment."

Dr. Molan recommends using honey for minor wounds and for emergency first aid. Stir or warm the honey very slightly, then for a 4-inch square wound, spread about an ounce on a bandage. For more serious wounds it's important to get a doctor's opinion.

While all honeys are antibacterial, Mel-O® preserves more antibacterial enzymes by not heating its honey as high as other brands.

Overcoming an ulcer: Bacteria called Helicobacter pylori (not stress or spicy foods) causes up to 90 percent of all ulcers. Honey's antibacterial properties can be just as effective against this pesky bug as against those that infect cuts and scrapes. Eat honey one hour before meals, with no fluids, and again at bedtime. (Hint: Spread a tablespoon on a piece of bread—this keeps the honey in your stomach longer.)

Making honey your everyday sweetener may also shield your stomach from other irritants that cause ulcers -- like non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) and alcohol.

And what would the winter months be without a sore throat? According to a recent consumer study, people reach in their cabinets for honey when they feel a sore throat coming on. Because of its humectant properties, honey helps soothe dry, irritated throats.

Sweeps away allergies (continued).
"Pollen is not really bad for you," Dr. T.V. Rajan of the University of Connecticut Health Center states. "It's your body's overreaction to pollen that brings on the runny eyes, sneezing and wheezing."

Your immune system is trained not to attack anything ingested by mouth. Eating pollen-laced honey will tell your immune system that this pollen is not bad for you. Then when you breathe the same type of pollen later, your immune recognizes and accepts it.

Adds on antioxidants (continued).
Honey's full of phenols and flavonoids known to be an even more powerful cancer fighter than Vitamin E.

To reap the benefits of honey’s healthful properties, make honey a part of your daily diet along with plenty of fruits and vegetables. Use honey to sweeten your oatmeal or drizzle it over a grapefruit half.