Church Chatter, On The Go on hold for now Due to churches, senior groups, entertainment venues and restaurants complying with the COVID-19 stay-at-home order by canceling in-person gatherings, Church Chatter and On The Go listings have been temporarily suspended. We will resume providing you with the many opportunities August 2020 shared in these listings when the stay-at-home order is lifted. IFESTYLE Section B cholesterol. For example, one study of 55 patients compared honey to L table sugar and found that honey caused a 5.8-percent reduction in LDL and a 3.3-percent increase in HDL cholesterol. It also led to modest weight loss of 1.3 percent. 6. Honey can lower triglycerides. Elevated blood triglycerides Including Health & Wellness, Entertainment, Church Chatter and On The Go are another risk factor for heart disease. They are also associated with insulin resistance, a major driver of type 2 diabetes. Triglyceride levels tend to increase on a diet high in sugar and refined carbs. Interestingly, multiple studies have linked regular honey consumption with lower triglyceride levels, especially when it is used to replace sugar. For 10 health benefits of honey example, one study comparing honey and sugar found 11–19-percent lower triglyceride levels in the honey group. Since ancient times, honey has sucrose. It contains virtually no fiber, and some types of cancer. They may problem. 7. The antioxidants in it are linked to other beneficial effects on been used as both a food and a fat or protein. It also contains trace also promote eye health. 4. The antioxidants in it can heart health. Again, honey is a rich source of phenols and other medicine. It is very high in beneficial amounts—under one percent of the 3. Honey is “less bad” than help lower blood pressure. Blood antioxidant compounds. Many of these have been linked to a reduced plant compounds and offers several RDI—of several vitamins and sugar for diabetics. The evidence on pressure is an important risk factor for risk of heart disease. They may help the arteries in your heart dilate, health benefits. Honey is particularly minerals, but you would have to eat honey and diabetes is mixed. On one heart disease, and honey may help increasing blood flow to your heart. They may also help prevent blood healthy when used instead of refined many pounds to fulfill your daily hand, it can reduce several risk factors lower it. This is because it contains clot formation, which can lead to heart attacks and strokes. sugar, which is 100 percent empty requirements. for heart disease common in people antioxidant compounds that have Furthermore, one study in rats showed that honey protected the heart calories. Where honey shines is in its with type 2 diabetes. For example, it been linked to lower blood pressure. from oxidative stress. All told, there is no long-term human study Here are the top 10 health benefits content of bioactive plant compounds may lower “bad” LDL cholesterol, Studies in both rats and humans have available on honey and heart health. Take these results with a grain of of honey. and antioxidants. Darker types tend triglycerides and inflammation, while shown modest reductions in blood salt. 1. Honey contains some to be even higher in these compounds raising “good” HDL cholesterol. pressure from consuming honey. 8. Honey promotes burn and wound healing. Topical honey nutrients. Honey is a sweet, thick than lighter types. However, some studies have found 5. Honey also helps improve treatment has been used to heal wounds and burns since ancient Egypt liquid made by honeybees. The bees 2. High-quality honey is rich that it can also increase blood sugar cholesterol. High LDL cholesterol and is still common today. A review of 26 studies on honey and wound collect sugar—mainly the sugar-rich in antioxidants. High-quality honey levels—just not as much as refined levels is a strong risk factor for heart care found honey most effective at healing partial-thickness burns and nectar of flowers—from their contains many important sugar. disease. This type of cholesterol wounds that have become infected after surgery. Honey is also an environment. Once inside the antioxidants. These include organic While honey may be slightly plays a major role in atherosclerosis, effective treatment for diabetic foot ulcers, which are serious beehive, they repeatedly consume, acids and phenolic compounds like better than refined sugar for people the fatty buildup in your arteries that complications that can lead to amputation. One study reported a 43.3- digest and regurgitate the nectar. The flavonoids. Scientists believe that with diabetes, it should still be can lead to heart attacks and strokes. percent success rate with honey as a wound treatment. In another end product is honey, a liquid that the combination of these compounds consumed with caution. In fact, Interestingly, several studies show study, topical honey healed a whopping 97 percent of patients' diabetic serves as stored food for bees. The gives honey its antioxidant power. people with diabetes may do best by that honey may improve your ulcers. Researchers believe that honey's healing powers come from its smell, color and taste depend on the Interestingly, two studies have minimizing all high-carb foods. cholesterol levels. It reduces total antibacterial and anti-inflammatory effects, as well as its ability to types of flowers visited. shown that buckwheat honey Keep in mind, too, that certain and “bad” LDL cholesterol, while nourish surrounding tissue. What's more, it can help treat other skin Nutritionally, one tablespoon of increases the antioxidant value of types of honey may be adulterated significantly raising “good” HDL conditions, including psoriasis and herpes lesions. Manuka honey is honey (21 grams) contains 64 calories your blood. with plain syrup. Although honey considered especially effective for treating burn wounds. and 17 grams of sugar, including Antioxidants have been linked to adulteration is illegal in most 9. Honey can help suppress coughs in children. Coughing is a fructose, glucose, maltose and reduced risk of heart attacks, strokes countries, it remains a widespread See BEE on page B10 common problem for children with upper respiratory infections. These infections can affect sleep and quality of life for both children and parents. However, mainstream medications for cough are not always effective and can have side effects. Interestingly, honey may be a better choice, and evidence indicates it is very effective. One study found that honey worked better than two common cough medications. Another study found that it reduced cough symptoms and improved sleep more than cough medication. Nevertheless, honey should never be given to children under one year of age, due to the risk for botulism. 10. It's delicious, but still high in calories and sugar. Honey is a LIFESTYLEHEALTH & WELLNESS LIFESTYLE HEALTH & WELLNESS LIFESTYLE HEALTH & WELLNESS LIFESTYLE Page B2 CThe ONNECTION August 2020 Wellness Are you an “automatic eater”? Be Do visions of Frappuccinos hummus, and fresh fruit. S.M.A.R.T. dance through your head when you Pay attention to your internal see the Starbucks logo? Does the cues. Let your stomach, not your about your familiar jingle in a fast-food ad make salivary glands, guide you on when to your mouth water for fries? Do not eat. Before grabbing a cookie from May Gratitute blame your lack of willpower. As your pantry, tune in to your body’s health goals. food companies and restaurant chains cues. If you do not feel physically Excercise at night know, sensory cues can encourage us To make better food choices, hungry, skip it. to eat “automatically,” based on habit mind your cues! Do not get “hangry.” We are and the expectation of reward, rather more vulnerable to external food cues than on a food’s nutritional value and shop on your way home from work, when we are hungry and keeping your on our physical hunger. But a recent for instance, go a different route for blood sugar balanced can help you June Rise and shine study suggests that interrupting a couple of weeks and see if that make good choices. To that end, plan existing cues and creating your own helps you break the habit. At home, your meals and snacks and make sure may help you shift your habits. These change your cues by clearing your each contains a balance of protein, Buoy your mood strategies can help: pantry, counters, fridge and freezer whole carbs and nourishing fat. Got health goals? Tweak your environment. No, of junky foods and putting Check in with your body regularly to Here’s how to reach them. resistance excerices you cannot eliminate all the fast-food nourishing foods in prominent avoid getting too hungry and keep a signs and jingles in the world. But if places. Out with the chips and stash of nuts and dried fruit on hand If your New Year’s resolutions you tend to be lured by the ice-cream candy… in with celery and carrots, for emergencies. are languishing somewhere in a dusty corner of your mind, you are not July Social media ruining mood alone. But don’t chalk it up to laziness. You may just need smarter family harmony-get outside goals! We tend to create resolutions that are sweeping and broad, such as “get in shape” or “eat better.” You can almost hear the cinematic music and see the hero (i.e., you!) riding off into the sunset— but when the lights come on, nothing has changed. You can set yourself up for success by developing health goals that focus on the journey, not the destination.