At this time, there were more colds, sneezes and coughs in offices, schools and public transport. sales of products to strengthen the defense capability and reach your peak. Propolis and honey are among the most commonly used to relieve certain symptoms.
But are they as effective in preventing colds as society says they are? Are they safe? Before answering these questions, it should be noted that although both come from nature, they are not the same.
Propolis is a resinous mixture. usually brown, which bees get from trees to build their hives. Properties attributed anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial, and “it’s usually recommended for people with diabetes, herpes, and mucosal inflammation,” explains Dr. Maria Isabel Beltrán. “ANDIn the case of diabetics, it is used as part of a complex treatment. This is another tool that can help control blood sugar.”
Honey is a substance produced by the bees themselves. composed of water, sugars, proteins and lipids, which is used to feed the larvae and queen bee, it is said that it may be useful for strengthen the immune system, improve cognitive function, control blood glucose levels, or alleviate some menopausal symptoms.
Typically, recent scientific databases such as Medline or WebMD refer to these products as “possibly effective“.”This means that it is impossible to say with certainty that jelly and propolis are effective in all these conditions.says nutritionist and food technologist Beatrice Robles.
The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) also does not believes there is strong evidence for a causal relationship between royal jelly and propolis and the properties assigned to them.
This group also includes those associated with the common cold, such as the belief that they improve respiratory health, strengthen the immune system, or have antimicrobial and antibacterial effects. “These products contain a large number of natural molecules, and not all of them have been studied.‘ warns Dr. Beltran.
Dr. Robles also notes that no nutritional supplements should be taken without expert approval, “Even if it’s natural, because that doesn’t mean it’s harmless.” Also, because the relationship with already prescribed medications is not known. “If we have already started using these supplements unsupervised, it is best to notify our doctor to rule out the risks.”
Something similar happens with vitamins, before buying them in a pharmacy and using them on your own, you should consult a doctor. “If there is a deficiency, we may need mineral or vitamin supplements to ensure our defenses function properly, but this must be diagnosed by a doctor.”says Robles.
Except, taking a lot of vitamin supplements when we don’t need them can be toxic. The symptoms are also associated with low defenses and can have a variety of origins, Beltran said.
Onions, garlic or ginger won’t help boost our defenses either. “The phrase “increased defenses” is not even correct. We should not worry about strengthening them, but about ensuring that our immune system functions properly.”Beatriz Robles says “This is achieved by following a healthy diet without the need for special foods or nutritional supplements.”
The Ideal Diet In order for our immune system to function properly, we must continue to stop. have optimal health: There should be a varied diet based on vegetables such as fruits, vegetables, legumes, seeds and nuts.
If we want to consume animal protein, it is desirable to give preference to white meat and eggs, reduce your intake of red meat and avoid processed meats. In addition, it is important to develop good lifestyle habits, quit tobacco and alcohol, and engage in physical activity several times a week.
“That the stress and fatigue of everyday life can still affect us? Well, then we can turn to a specialist and, if necessary, supplement ourselves, ” concludes Dr. Isabelle Beltra.
Source, Vanguard.
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