Honung och biodling : honungens ursprung, egenskaper och effekter på människans hälsa

Abstract: This report describes honey, its origin, properties and effects on human health. Honey has been used for a long time in most civilizations and apiculture is an important activity sector in many parts of the world. The trend is an increase in honey production but a decrease in the number of beekeepers in Sweden. Honeybees live in a highly developed society with a strong hierarchy and a well organized distribution of the tasks. They visit a broad spectrum of plants and collect nectar to store it as honey. At the same time, they play an important role as pollinators. That’s why it’s important to keep the bees in good health and continue the research about bee diseases. Honey is a natural product that doesn´t need any additives. The aim of the manufacturing process is to separate the honey from the waxframes and give it the right consistency by stirring. Honey contains mostly sugar and water. Other nutrients and bioactive substances occur in small quantities and also affect color and taste. Honey has many interesting physical and antimicrobial properties which make it suitable to avoid bacterial infections in wounds and internal organs. Honey is in many aspects a better alternative to sugar as a sweetener.