Bees are among the most important insects on the planet Earth. Their role in pollinating manifests itself everywhere. Without the help of bees, the world’s fruits, vegetables and their flowers as we know them would probably be quite different. Almost 40% of the foods that we eat have been pollinated by bees! Their role takes on much more importance when we consider these facts.
The well-known saying, “Busy as a bee” is truly justified. To produce one 500-gram container of honey, bees must make approximately 17 000 trips. They must feed on 8,700,000 flowers, which represents 7,000 hours of work! That is no small feat.
Did you know that during the Second World War soldiers used honey to heal their wounds? And during the Olympic Games, several athletes drink honey mixed with water to help them recover their strength more quickly. Honey contains several other health benefits as well.
Being stung by bees on a regular basis is also good for your health. If you are not allergic to bee stings, of course, their venom can be very beneficial. As a matter of fact, there is a treatment called “bee venom therapy” or “bee-sting therapy.” Bee venom therapy is considered an excellent treatment for reducing the symptoms of multiple sclerosis, and is helpful in treating people who suffer from this disease.
Honey is composed of 78 to 80% carbohydrates, 17% water, 1% protids and traces of various mineral salts, organic acids, as well as many vitamins, lipids, complex organic compounds, and finally, grains of pollen. Since honey is composed mainly of simple sugars, its energy is absorbed as soon as it is ingested. Therefore, the digestive system is not overworked. Furthermore, honey facilitates digestion of other foods, and, unlike sugar, it does not irritate the stomach.