The Open Nutraceuticals Journal

2010, 3 : 6-16
Published online 2010 January 11. DOI: 10.2174/18763960010030100006
Publisher ID: TONUTRAJ-3-6

Antioxidant Properties of Honey and Its Role in Preventing Health Disorder

M. I. Khalil , S. A. Sulaiman and L. Boukraa
Department of Pharmacology, School of Medical Sciences, Universiti Sains Malaysia, Health Campus, 16150 Kubang Kerian, Kelantan, Malaysia.

ABSTRACT

Honey is being used since long time both in medical and domestic needs, but only recently its antioxidant property has come to limelight. With increasing demand for antioxidant supply in the food, honey is becoming popular as a source of antioxidant since it is rich in phenolic acids and flavonoids and other antioxidants including glucose oxidase, catalase, ascorbic acid, carotenoid derivatives, organic acids, amino acids and proteins. The antioxidants have several preventative effects against different diseases like cancer, cardiovascular diseases, inflammatory disorders, neurological degeneration, wound healing, infectious diseases and aging, which led to search for foods rich in antioxidants. Various studies on antioxidant properties of honey have been done. The present article is a short review on the antioxidant properties of honey and its role against health disorder.