27/05/2019
Evidence Based
All About Raw Honey: How Is It Different Than Regular Honey?
Written by Ryan Raman, MS, RD on January 20, 2018
Honey is a thick, sweet syrup made by honey bees.
It’s loaded with healthy plant compounds and has been linked to several health benefits.
However, there's controversy surrounding which type of honey — raw or regular — is healthiest.
What Is Raw Honey?
Raw honey is best described as honey “as it exists in the beehive”.
It is made by extracting honey from the honeycombs of the hive and pouring it over a mesh or nylon cloth to separate the honey from impurities like beeswax and dead bees.
Once strained, raw honey is bottled and ready to be enjoyed.
On the other hand, the production of regular honey involves several more steps before it is bottled — such as pasteurization and filtration.
Pasteurization is a process that destroys the yeast found in honey by applying high heat. This helps extend the shelf life and makes it smoother.
Also, filtration further removes impurities like debris and air bubbles so that the honey stays as a clear liquid for longer. This is aesthetically appealing to many consumers.
Some commercial honeys are additionally processed by undergoing ultrafiltration. This process further refines it to make it more transparent and smooth, but it can also remove beneficial nutrients like pollen, enzymes and antioxidants.
Moreover, some manufacturers may add sugar or sweeteners to honey to reduce costs.
SUMMARY
What Are the Main Differences Between Raw and Regular Honey?
Raw and regular honey are processed quite differently.
Here are the main differences between raw and regular honey.
Raw Honey Is MORE Nutritious
Raw honey contains a wide variety of nutrients.
It has approximately 22 amino acids, 31 different minerals and a wide range of vitamins and enzymes. However, the nutrients are only present in trace amounts.
What’s most impressive about raw honey is that it contains nearly 30 types of bioactive plant compounds. These are called polyphenols, and they act as antioxidants.
Many studies have linked these antioxidants with impressive health benefits, including reduced inflammation and a lower risk of heart disease and certain cancers.
Conversely, commercial honeys may contain fewer antioxidants due to processing methods.
For example, one study compared the antioxidants in raw and processed honey from a local market. They found that the raw honey contained up to 4.3 times more antioxidants than the processed variety.
https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/raw-honey-vs-regular