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Scientists have confirmed the benefits of honey for the brain

 
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Last reviewed: 02.07.2025
 
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18 February 2016, 09:00

Honey is known to be a useful and valuable product and has long been used to treat various diseases. Not all of the amazing properties of this product have been proven by science and in New Zealand, specialists decided to study the properties of this product better, but the researchers were interested not so much in the benefits for immunity as in the ability of honey to improve or slow down brain function.

During the work, the scientists observed several groups of rodents. The rats that the scientists chose for their experiment were divided into several groups, each of which performed certain test tasks and ate different food, in particular, the scientists added a small amount of honey to one group of rats, and propolis, flower pollen or royal jelly to another.

As a result, it was possible to establish that those rodents that received honey with food coped better with the tasks; in addition, in tense situations, the animals remained calm, and their anxiety level was an order of magnitude lower, in comparison with other relatives who did not eat honey.

According to researchers, not only honey has a beneficial effect on the brain, but also other bee products, such as propolis, etc., thanks to these products (which, by the way, should be consumed daily) the brain's performance improves, the feeling of anxiety decreases. Honey contains a unique set of carbohydrates and other valuable compounds that have a positive effect on the brain and human psyche, while there are no products in nature with similar nutritional properties.

It is worth noting that modern living conditions require a person to have a good memory, since they have to process a huge amount of information every day, but even with the help of modern devices, a person does not always manage to cope with the problem. Due to forgetfulness, plans often remain unrealized, a number of problems remain unsolved, but scientists say that a person has always had the opportunity to improve his memory. At Northumbria University, Mark Moss and his team came to the conclusion that the aroma of rosemary has a positive effect on the ability to remember, and also improves brain function.

A compound present in rosemary aroma, 1,8-cineole, has a positive effect on the brain, and experiments have confirmed the findings of the experts.

Scientists selected volunteers who were divided into several groups, each participant had to undergo testing that determined cognitive abilities and memory. Two groups of participants were given special rooms in which different aromas were sprayed - in the first, rosemary, in the second, lavender. The third group of volunteers performed the task in a room with purified air.

As a result, the participants of the first group, where the aroma of rosemary was in the room, coped with all the tasks much faster, and the tests showed an improvement in long-term memory. But scientists note that the aroma of rosemary can be used to improve memory only if there are no contraindications. According to experts, this remedy will not help patients with Alzheimer's, but it will help schoolchildren and students improve their learning efficiency.

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