Acacia honey has organoleptic and nutritional characteristics that make it a very precious natural product. Let’s see its properties, benefits, uses, contraindications and some advice to choose well.
Acacia honey is a monofloral honey, which means that, unlike the more common wildflower honey, it is not obtained from the nectar of several types of flowers, but only from that of acacia. In other words, the hives are positioned in an area where many locust (or acacia) plants grow; when, on the other hand, you want to obtain wildflower honey, the hives are found in areas where not a single species predominates.
It is one of the most popular and popular types of honey, thanks also to its high sweetening power and very fluid consistency. It has a particularly delicate flavor, which does not alter that of the foods and drinks to which it is added.
Acacia honey: calories and nutritional properties
Acacia honey, like other types of honey, contains mainly sugars; what distinguishes it from most of the other types is the high fructose and dextrose content compared to a limited sucrose content.
It is rich in mineral salts, especially potassium, calcium, sodium and phosphorus, and vitamins, in particular of group B. It does not contain fats and has a good content of amino acids, especially aspartic acid and glutamic acid.
In general, 100 grams of acacia honey contains about 320/330 calories. For the specific calorie content, however, it is necessary to read the label of the product purchased because not all products have exactly the same nutritional values and the same calories. Keep in mind that 10 grams, plus or minus a teaspoon, are enough to sweeten a drink.
Acacia honey: the health benefits
Acacia honey has all the qualities that are generally attributed to honey: it has antibacterial and anti-inflammatory action, it is easily digestible, it is a natural sweetener. In particular, it has a beneficial effect on the gastrointestinal system. Let’s now take a closer look at the main properties of acacia honey.
- It is good for the stomach: it is recommended above all to prevent and soothe the symptoms of reflux and stomach acid;
- It is good for the intestine: in addition to being easily digested, it is also a mild laxative and is therefore useful in the prevention and treatment of constipation;
- It is an excellent tonic: like other types of honey, in fact, it is a good source of minerals and energy. It is a “natural supplement” recommended above all for those who practice sports;
- It has antibacterial and anti-inflammatory action: all types of honey, as well as that of acacia, are widely used in the treatment of symptoms of colds. A teaspoon of honey, alone or in a nice hot drink, helps soothe coughs and sore throats;
- It’s good for the liver: Acacia honey is attributed with detoxifying properties for the liver.
How to use acacia honey
Acacia honey is mainly used as a natural sweetener. Having a neutral flavor and a high sweetening power, it is suitable for all types of drinks and a minimum quantity is enough. It can be used in sweets, instead of sugar, but also in other types of recipes; for example, it is advisable to pair it with cheeses, such as gorgonzola or pecorino.
In case of cough and sore throat, a teaspoon of acacia honey is a valid substitute for soothing candies and syrups.
Do not overdo the quantities because it is still a very caloric product. The maximum daily intake depends on individual needs and individual health status. Like all types of honey, it is also indicated before sports.
Acacia honey in cosmetics: how and why to use it on skin and hair
Acacia honey, like other types of honey, also has cosmetic uses particularly for the beauty of skin and hair. For the lips, it is a very sweet natural, moisturizing and soothing balm.
- For the skin: acacia honey can be applied to the face and body in various ways, let’s give some examples. A teaspoon of honey in a clay mask helps to make oily and combination skin prone to acne more beautiful, because it has a moisturizing, antibacterial and soothing action; a teaspoon of honey for the preparation of scrubs and gommage helps to eliminate dead cells and make the skin more toned; acacia honey is easily spreadable and therefore can be used in face masks, for a moisturizing and anti-aging effect. In case of inflammation and if you want to enhance the moisturizing power of your cream, you can add a small amount of acacia honey to it; mixed with lemon, it has a cleansing action;
- For the hair: acacia honey helps to revive blonde highlights in a natural way, especially when added to a chamomile infusion and applied before the last rinse. Mixed with a little water and applied to the scalp before shampooing, it helps to counteract dandruff and has a soothing action.
Storage of acacia honey
Unlike other types of honey, that of acacia, being very rich in fructose, does not have a tendency to crystallize; consequently there are no particular requirements regarding the storage temperature. In any case, it is always advisable not to keep it at temperatures above 22-25 degrees as excessive heat could lead to a decay of the organoleptic characteristics.
Once the jar has been opened, it is advisable to store it in a cool and dry place, away from light. Acacia honey, like all types of honey, should preferably be kept in the glass; Unfortunately, sometimes it is sold in plastic bottles or jars.
Contraindications of acacia honey
Acacia honey, like all other types of honey, is a product very rich in sugars and highly caloric, so people who cannot consume too many carbohydrates or too many calories must therefore be careful.
According to some, acacia honey would be indicated in the diet of those suffering from type 2 diabetes; in a certain sense it is true because, thanks above all to the high fructose content and the lower sucrose content, it has a lower glycemic index than other types of honey, which means that it causes a lower and slower rise in blood sugar. This, however, does not mean that those suffering from type 2 diabetes can take all the acacia honey they want, the possibility of including this sweetener in the diet, in small quantities, also depends a lot on the individual case and should be discussed with the doctor.
Honey, in general, is not suitable for consumption by children under the age of one year , as it may contain Clostridium botulinum spores, which expose them to the risk of infantile botulism; in fact, small children have a bacterial flora that is not yet well developed and this toxin finds very fertile ground. According to some, acacia honey would be an exception and could also be consumed by small children, however, we point out that acacia honey is still a type of honey and current health regulations advise against its administration under one year of age.
The use of honey exposes you to the risk of caries, so be careful to brush the teeth very well of children older than one year who are offered honey; avoid the temptation to put it on the pacifier, regardless of age.
Acacia honey: prices and purchase
Acacia honey is very common and can be found easily: in bio-shops, specialized online stores, supermarkets and even some discount stores; the selling price, therefore, is very varied, but pay attention to the product you buy; quality honey cannot be priced too low. Acacia honey is clear and crystalline. The clearer and colorless, the purer it is; on the contrary, if the foraging bees also collect the nectar of other flowers, this honey takes on a darker color. So pay attention to the color, but also to the origin. It is preferable to choose an Italian product, preferably local, of artisanal and organic production.
Acacia honey, in general, is more expensive not only than wildflower honey, but also than many types of monofloral honey; However, it is really difficult to make an average, because it goes from a price of around 10 USD per kilo in some discount stores to over 25 USD per kilo for higher quality products.
