Resilient beekeeping in the face of varroa
The Australian honey bee and pollination industry is vibrant, with 1,800 highly skilled commercial beekeepers and 28,000 recreational beekeepers. The industry extracts 37,000 tonnes of...
43 pages
Published: 6 Jan 2010
Author(s): Conway, Patricia L., Stern, Rosie, Tran, Lai
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This RIRDC report provides data that demonstrate that some Australian honeys possess prebiotic properties, which means that they can promote the growth of beneficial microbes commonly found in the human intestine. Because it is known that maintenance of a healthy intestinal microflora can assist the immune system, as well as general bodily function, it can be suggested that consumption of honey has potential to promote overall human health and well-being.
At market level, these qualities and attributes are likely to maximise product value. On a broader scale, scientific demonstration that use of honey can produce dietary and general health benefits will support beekeeping and honey industries in general, as well as assisting overall maintenance of human health.