Raw honey is preferred because it offers more nutritional benefits than processed honey. Specifically, it retains higher levels of antioxidants and micronutrients that are diminished when honey is heated and filtered.
The Benefits of Raw Honey
While regular honey undergoes processing that can affect its nutritional value, raw honey is in its natural state, preserving many of the beneficial components that make honey a healthy food.
Here's why people choose raw honey:
- Higher Antioxidant Levels: Raw honey contains more antioxidants compared to processed honey. These antioxidants play a crucial role in protecting your body from damage caused by free radicals.
- Micronutrient Rich: Raw honey is packed with essential micronutrients that can contribute to overall health. These nutrients are often lost during the heating and filtering process that regular honey undergoes.
Raw vs. Regular Honey: A Quick Comparison
| Feature | Raw Honey | Regular Honey |
|---|---|---|
| Processing | Minimal, not heated or filtered | Heated and filtered |
| Antioxidants | Higher levels | Lower levels |
| Micronutrients | Higher levels | Lower levels |
| Crystallization | May crystallize more easily | Less prone to crystallization |
| Overall Benefit | Retains more natural benefits of honey | Less nutrient dense due to processing |
Crystallization of Raw Honey
A common concern about raw honey is its tendency to crystallize. This is a natural process and can be managed with proper storage.
- Storage Solution: To prevent or reverse crystallization, store raw honey in a warm environment, but not at excessive temperatures which can degrade its benefits.
In summary, the primary reason people choose raw honey is because it retains more of its natural nutrients, specifically higher levels of antioxidants and micronutrients compared to regular honey which is heated and filtered, despite raw honey’s tendency to crystallize more easily.
