Nutritional, Social and Economic Significance of Honey

Honey is produced by bees by changing nectar, which is obtained from flowers into honey. The honey is harvested by man in the wild. In recent times, the number of artificially constructed bee hives have increased all over Africa. This is due to the increased awareness of the nutritional and economic benefits of honey, a situation which leads to increased production of honey.
Nutritionally, honey is a very good food substance which contains a lot of carbohydrates. These nutrients are easily digested, absorbed and utilized by the body of man as a source of energy. In addition, the pollen remnants extracted from bees hives are eaten by man as a source of protein. Honey is particularly useful to diabetic patients as a substitute for refined sugar.
In African societies, honey is an important components of the requirements during weddings and naming ceremonies. It is common to bless people by saying that "Your life and marriage will be sweet like honey"
Honey is also highly important for its medicinal properties. Among rural people in Africa for instance, it is commonly mixed with hot water, lemon juice or hot milk and used as remedy for cough and sore throat in children. Sometimes, it may be mixed with lemon juice and garlic for the same purpose. It can also be used as dressing for wounds and burns. At present time, this commodity is finding more uses in the cosmetic industries and the bee wax is used in making candles.
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