Honey is the only food that will never rot, it can last 3000 years.
Most honey is supersaturated, the rest is a saturated, solution of sugar. Sugar acts hygroscopic, which means it attracts water. Bacteria and some other microorganisms that come in contact with this solution are being desiccated (water is drawn from them into the solution) and explode and die.
This supersaturation of sugar also inhibits the growth of yeast and other fungal spores.
Its pH is 3.26 to 4.48, a killing field for bacteria. Combined with the above-mentioned supersaturation, you have both a pH that weakens bacterial walls and a hygroscopic environment. Them bacters don't stand no chance.
If all that isn't enough, bees process honey by means of an enzyme called glucose oxidase, which modifies sugar into gluconic acid and hydrogen peroxide.
This supersaturation of sugar also inhibits the growth of yeast and other fungal spores.
Its pH is 3.26 to 4.48, a killing field for bacteria. Combined with the above-mentioned supersaturation, you have both a pH that weakens bacterial walls and a hygroscopic environment. Them bacters don't stand no chance.
If all that isn't enough, bees process honey by means of an enzyme called glucose oxidase, which modifies sugar into gluconic acid and hydrogen peroxide.
This is why you should never leave a jar of honey standing open. The supersaturated sugar solution will absorb moisture from the air and gradually become weaker, losing its anti-bacterial properties.
One last warning: honey is, as we discover above, rather safe. It does, however, sometimes contain inactive spores of Clostridium botulinum, the bacterium responsible for botulism. Healthy humans don't get sick from that, but infants whose intestinal tract dilutes the honey without digesting it quickly can get sick from it.
One last warning: honey is, as we discover above, rather safe. It does, however, sometimes contain inactive spores of Clostridium botulinum, the bacterium responsible for botulism. Healthy humans don't get sick from that, but infants whose intestinal tract dilutes the honey without digesting it quickly can get sick from it.
Source: huffingtonpost.com
No comments:
Post a Comment