I cannot remember where I heard it, but somebody, somewhere, was either talking to me or emailed me about the benefits one glass of honey and water in the morning will have for my digestive health. Perhaps, it was someone on Twitter? In any case, I really need to remember because, I cannot believe what that simple mixture has done for me.
Before I get into the details, it really has been WAY too long since I have written. My last post was in September of 2012 and I was just getting back into running with my Team Challenge-NJ teammates, in preparation for a half marathon that took place on December 2 in Las Vegas. I didn't write during the 10 weeks between that first run with the group and the race because, I'm really superstitious. With my car accident occurring only a week before the summer race, I didn't want anything to jinx me this time. I was feeling, just ok Crohns wise. Too many emergency runs to the bathroom and too many lost days because of not feeling well. Having said that, I really have been much worse in the past, so, it wasn't keeping me from running. Two weeks before the race, I ran 13 miles in Central Park with my group. That was a brutal run...lots of hills...but I finished it. I knew, at that point, Vegas would be a breeze. Between the adrenaline of the race and the fact that Vegas is flat, confirmed that thought. Two days before the race changed all of that. Crohn's affects everyone differently. In my case, the worst kind of flare up occurs when my intestines narrow and I eat something that is difficult to process. That combination creates a blockage in my intestinal tract. It is always really painful, however, once the food passes through, I'm typically better in a day or two. This time it was one of the worst blockages I have ever experienced. It took way longer for the blockage to release, to the point where I thought my intestines would rupture. Once it did release, I vomited for close to 12 straight hours. Needless to say, I didn't make it to Vegas. When I missed the summer race, mentally, it was difficult to deal with. It was "why the hell did this happen to me...NOW"? This was much worse. I blamed myself completely for this. I should have been more careful with what I ate so close to the race. How stupid can I be? The truth is, Crohn's doesn't have a clock which decides when it is going to flare up. It took me a while to accept that and not blame myself.
So, now we fast forward to about a month ago when I received that info about honey and water. I had not had another "blockage flare up", however, was still not feeling great. Probably in the bathroom 6-8 times a day and, again, too many missed days because of not feeling well. Over the years, I've had many people tell me many things that were "miracle cures" for my Crohn's, so hearing something new really didn't excite me at all. I did, however, do some research on the issue and this is one of the articles I found:
"Every morning, or just about every morning, the first thing I do after waking up and using the bathroom (I guess you don’t need to know that part) is to make a honey + water drink. This may sound like an old wives tale or something your grandmother might have told you, but there is some serious truth behind the benefits of such a practice…I’m sure you’ll be surprised once you finish reading the information below.
First, how do you make the drink?
Simply add a teaspoon (or a tablespoon if you have a really sweet tooth) to a glass of bottled water (preferably room temperature) – which means NO tap water.
Stirring with a fork quickens the process – be patient now.
Then, open your mouth and consume the beverage
Ok, now for the science part:
Did you know that honey has been shown to be far superior to conventional antibiotics in treating infections and without the negative side effects associated with antibiotic use.
It is amazing that the bacteria-killing properties of honey increase two-fold when diluted with water. Maybe that explains why newly born bees are nourished with diluted honey.
Also, when honey is mixed with water, a chemical reaction takes place resulting in the creation of hydrogen peroxide, the most powerful natural antibiotic. Unlike the hydrogen peroxide purchased in the pharmacy, the one produced by the above mixture is natural and therefore protects itself from being associated with conventional man-made antibiotics and their negative effects.
It only takes approximately 7 minutes for the honey + water mixture to diffuse into the bloodstream – ready to fight the bad stuff!"
Much of my research uncovered similar information. The key for me is that I knew a mixture of honey and water, once a day, wouldn't hurt. Wow, has it helped!! Almost immediately, the 6-8 times a day in the bathroom stopped. It's a month later now and I don't remember the last time I was in the bathroom more than once in a day. I feel great, all day, everyday! Maybe, it's just a coincidence? Maybe, my Crohn's went into remission at the exact same time I started drinking honey and water every morning? Maybe not...?
Before I get into the details, it really has been WAY too long since I have written. My last post was in September of 2012 and I was just getting back into running with my Team Challenge-NJ teammates, in preparation for a half marathon that took place on December 2 in Las Vegas. I didn't write during the 10 weeks between that first run with the group and the race because, I'm really superstitious. With my car accident occurring only a week before the summer race, I didn't want anything to jinx me this time. I was feeling, just ok Crohns wise. Too many emergency runs to the bathroom and too many lost days because of not feeling well. Having said that, I really have been much worse in the past, so, it wasn't keeping me from running. Two weeks before the race, I ran 13 miles in Central Park with my group. That was a brutal run...lots of hills...but I finished it. I knew, at that point, Vegas would be a breeze. Between the adrenaline of the race and the fact that Vegas is flat, confirmed that thought. Two days before the race changed all of that. Crohn's affects everyone differently. In my case, the worst kind of flare up occurs when my intestines narrow and I eat something that is difficult to process. That combination creates a blockage in my intestinal tract. It is always really painful, however, once the food passes through, I'm typically better in a day or two. This time it was one of the worst blockages I have ever experienced. It took way longer for the blockage to release, to the point where I thought my intestines would rupture. Once it did release, I vomited for close to 12 straight hours. Needless to say, I didn't make it to Vegas. When I missed the summer race, mentally, it was difficult to deal with. It was "why the hell did this happen to me...NOW"? This was much worse. I blamed myself completely for this. I should have been more careful with what I ate so close to the race. How stupid can I be? The truth is, Crohn's doesn't have a clock which decides when it is going to flare up. It took me a while to accept that and not blame myself.
So, now we fast forward to about a month ago when I received that info about honey and water. I had not had another "blockage flare up", however, was still not feeling great. Probably in the bathroom 6-8 times a day and, again, too many missed days because of not feeling well. Over the years, I've had many people tell me many things that were "miracle cures" for my Crohn's, so hearing something new really didn't excite me at all. I did, however, do some research on the issue and this is one of the articles I found:
"Every morning, or just about every morning, the first thing I do after waking up and using the bathroom (I guess you don’t need to know that part) is to make a honey + water drink. This may sound like an old wives tale or something your grandmother might have told you, but there is some serious truth behind the benefits of such a practice…I’m sure you’ll be surprised once you finish reading the information below.
First, how do you make the drink?
Simply add a teaspoon (or a tablespoon if you have a really sweet tooth) to a glass of bottled water (preferably room temperature) – which means NO tap water.
Stirring with a fork quickens the process – be patient now.
Then, open your mouth and consume the beverage
Ok, now for the science part:
Did you know that honey has been shown to be far superior to conventional antibiotics in treating infections and without the negative side effects associated with antibiotic use.
It is amazing that the bacteria-killing properties of honey increase two-fold when diluted with water. Maybe that explains why newly born bees are nourished with diluted honey.
Also, when honey is mixed with water, a chemical reaction takes place resulting in the creation of hydrogen peroxide, the most powerful natural antibiotic. Unlike the hydrogen peroxide purchased in the pharmacy, the one produced by the above mixture is natural and therefore protects itself from being associated with conventional man-made antibiotics and their negative effects.
It only takes approximately 7 minutes for the honey + water mixture to diffuse into the bloodstream – ready to fight the bad stuff!"
Much of my research uncovered similar information. The key for me is that I knew a mixture of honey and water, once a day, wouldn't hurt. Wow, has it helped!! Almost immediately, the 6-8 times a day in the bathroom stopped. It's a month later now and I don't remember the last time I was in the bathroom more than once in a day. I feel great, all day, everyday! Maybe, it's just a coincidence? Maybe, my Crohn's went into remission at the exact same time I started drinking honey and water every morning? Maybe not...?
