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photo source: Saginaw Farmers' Market |
Eating local food is great for the community and the
environment but also for your health. Many people suffer from seasonal
allergies (also known as hay fever or allergic rhinitis) especially in the
spring when trees and plants start to release pollen and mold spores into the
air.
When these tiny particles come into contact with your immune system it
creates an allergic reaction inside most people's body leading to the sneezing,
runny noses, sinus congestion and other allergy symptoms.
When bees fly from plant to plant collecting nectar to make
honey they also collect pollen and mold spores on them. While making honey, small amounts of these particles are in the honey. Eating honey that contains these
small particles can mildly stimulate your immune system preparing it for
other pollen or mold particles that you might come into contact with in the
air. If you do have an allergic reaction, this can help to reduce or eliminate
the symptoms you are having.
For honey with health benefits, buy honey that is made as close to where you
live so that the bees are in contact with the same plants you are in contact
with.
Try eating a spoonful of raw local honey everyday prior to and during
allergy season!
Looking for where to buy local honey?