The antioxidant effects of honey are beneficial against oxidative stress by cigarette smoke. Honey, rich in antioxidants would have a beneficial impact on oxidative stress resulting from the intake of nicotine by smokers, says a Malaysian study.
Smokers are more suspectable to heart attack, stroke as well as coronary heart diseases and significant risks to their cardiovascular health.
Free radicals introduced by the tobacco within the body contribute to oxidative stress in the origin of the cells aging acceleration and the deleterious health effects.Previous work has shown that supplementation with herbs and seaweed rich in antioxidants improved the oxidative metabolism of smokers while a honey supplementation Tualang (Malaysia) proved effective in reducing the toxic effects of cigarette smoking in rats.In this line, the Malaysian researchers conducted a new study published in the journal Toxicological and Environmental Chemistry.
Honey is a product rich in sugars, minerals, proteins, organic acids and antioxidants. Based on this finding, the researchers determined the effects of Tualang honey supplementation for 12 weeks out of 32 smokers and 64 non-smoking men aged 20-50 years. These were divided into 2 groups: one supplemented, and the other composed of non-smokers. All were subjected to blood tests before and after shooting.
Effective in the prevention of cardiovascular risks
Their results showed that the status of antioxidants in the group of smokers was lower than that of non-smokers before supplementation. At the end of 12 weeks of treatment, smokers participants had greatly improved their antioxidant levels, the researchers note.
These are highly confident that the honey is able to counteract the effects of oxidative stress induced by smoking due to its antioxidant and free radical recovery properties.
“Our findings suggest that honey can be used as a supplement for those who are exposed to free radicals in cigarette smoke, both active smokers and passive, to protect or reduce their cardiovascular risk,” concluded Wan Syaheedah Wan Ghazali, co-author of the study.
Honey has many therapeutic qualities recognized and even used in some hospitals. Previous studies have already indicated that due to its antioxidant effects, it could protect the heart by slowing the oxidation process of bad cholesterol (LDD).