Bioactive Compounds in Honey: A Literature Overview

Abstract

Honey is a natural product used worldwide and has a multiple nutritional and health benefits. From ancient times, honey was used as a natural sweetener and healing agent. The specific composition of honey includes primarily carbohydrates, but organic acids, enzymes, vitamins, proteins, volatile compounds, phenols, flavonoids and minerals as well. These compounds are provenly related to honeys' antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial properties. This paper shows the latest scientific data about bioactive compounds and health benefits of honey.