DATE: 9/13/05

CONTACT: Mike Hood, (864) 656-0346

WRITER: Diane Palmer, (864) 656-4741

It’s a honey of a deal

CLEMSON – Honey not only tastes good but also has nutritional value.

Since September is honey month, Clemson Extension Bee Specialist Mike Hood gives some details about honey that you may not know.

It is a source of carbohydrate. As a carbohydrate, honey supplies energy at 64 calories per tablespoon, providing fuel to working muscles. According to a limited study at the University of Memphis Exercise and Sports Nutrition Laboratory, honey is found to be one of the most effective forms of carbohydrate gels to ingest just prior to exercise. It appears to have a relatively mild effect upon blood sugar compared to other carbohydrate sources, according to Dr. Richard Kreider, the study’s lead investigator.

Hood says honey contains small amounts of a wide array of vitamins, minerals, amino acids and antioxidants. The vitamins found in honey may include, depending on floral variety, niacin, riboflavin and pantothenic acid; minerals present may include calcium, iron, magnesium, manganese, phosphorus, potassium and zinc. Just as the color and flavor of honey varies by floral source, so does the vitamin, mineral, antioxidant and amino acid content.

The antibacterial properties of honey may help clear infection in wounds, and the anti-inflammatory action of honey may reduce pain and may improve circulation, which hasten the healing process. The hydrogen peroxide producing capacity of honey is thought by many to be the main reason for honey’s antibacterial activity. Honey has the necessary components to produce miniscule amounts of hydrogen peroxide over prolonged periods of time which makes it an ideal substance to use in the treatment of wounds and bacteria-caused disorders.

So, we see that honey has many uses around the home as an excellent food product as well as an alternative medicinal product.

“Current South Carolina honey production stands at about 1.2 million pounds harvested from 30,000 colonies that are managed by an estimated 2,500 beekeepers,” said Hood. “Most of our beekeepers are hobbyist, who manage 1-10 colonies but we do have 10 or more commercial beekeepers who manage 300 colonies or more each.”

The Clemson Extension Program and the S.C. Beekeepers Association have jointly hosted a Master Beekeeper’s Program over the past 10 years. Hundreds of new beekeepers in the state have been trained through this educational program. The certified or first level short course of the program is offered by many local beekeeper associations throughout the state in winter and early spring, which is a good time of year for beekeepers to learn the basics of beekeeping and establish new honey bee colonies, according to Hood. A beekeeping short course is also offered at Clemson University during the S.C. Beekeepers Association annual meeting held in July each year.

For more information about honey, or learn how to become a beekeeper, contact Hood at (864) 656-0346 or mhood@clemson.edu.

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