Several studies show that honeydew honeys, such as pine honey, have stronger antioxidant properties than the more common floral honeys which you can buy at practically any grocery store in the US or UK. The antioxidant activities of honeydew honeys are generally attributed to the high levels of phenolic compounds and flavonoids they contain. As you may already know, antioxidants are health-protecting molecules that neutralize free radicals, unstable molecules that have been associated with a wide range of age-related conditions, from heart disease and cancer to macular degeneration and Alzheimer's disease.
A recent study that compared 18 honey varieties, both floral and forest honeys, found that Greek pine honey had the strongest anti-bacterial properties among the tested honeys. It was found to exert antibacterial effects against E. coli, S. marcescens, B. sphaericus, S. epidermidis, and B. subtilis. This intriguing study was published in The Journal of Microbiology, Biotechnology and Food Sciences in 2012.
According to a study published in the November 2009 issue of the International Journal of Food Sciences and Nutrition, pine honey is a particularly good source of potassium, but it also contains a number of other minerals, including calcium, phosphorus, sodium, iron, magnesium, and zinc.
