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Lao Zhang, a 72-year-old retired teacher, has developed an interesting habit: every night before bed, he makes a cup of hot honey water. One day half a year later, he went to the hospital for a routine physical examination as usual, and the results were unexpectedly good, and the doctor looked at the report and was full of doubts.
"Lao Zhang, what have you been doing in the past six months? That's better than any other of the same age group I've ever seen. The doctor asked, surprised. Lao Zhang smiled and replied simply: "A glass of honey water every day is a must-have before going to bed." ”
The doctors got together to discuss, trying to analyze whether this cup of honey water in the evening was really the secret of Lao Zhang's health. Lao Zhang thought of his career as a teacher, teaching and educating people in those years, although it was hard, but it was fulfilling. After retirement, his life became simpler, and apart from gardening and this glass of honey water every night, his life was hardly buoyant.
Soon after, a young doctor at the hospital, Dr. Li, after a series of tests and studies, found that although the direct health effect of honey water is not large, it has significantly helped Lao Zhang's sleep quality.
"The natural sugars in honey can help reduce the body's resistance to insulin, which promotes blood sugar stability at night." Dr. Lee explained at a team meeting.
The antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects of honey also play a supporting role in Lao Zhang's overall health. Although these effects are more indirect, they have helped Lao Zhang maintain a good health to a certain extent. As his research deepened, Dr. Li also noticed that Lao Zhang's habit of honey water at night also promoted his mental health.
This small ritual every night provides Lao Zhang with a kind of psychological comfort and relaxation, which invisibly improves his quality of life. Although it cannot be said that honey water is a panacea, at least in Lao Zhang's case, it has become a small assistant for his healthy life.
As time goes on, more and more people are paying attention to the science behind this simple way of life. The seemingly simple habit of drinking honey water before going to bed for the elderly actually hides a lot of scientific secrets behind it.
Honey is not just a natural sweetener, it is also rich in nutrients and bioactives, which can have a positive impact on health. Let's take a closer look at why a glass of honey water in the evening can become a small helper for the health of Lao Zhang and many elderly people.
First of all, the antioxidants in honey. Regular intake of antioxidants can help slow the progression of cardiovascular disease, certain types of cancer, and degenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's disease.
Lao Zhang's cup of honey water every night is not only a sweet enjoyment, but also a self-protection strategy. For the elderly, it is especially important to maintain blood sugar stability, because blood sugar fluctuations can lead to fluctuations in energy levels and even affect cardiovascular and cerebrovascular health.
As a natural source of sugar, honey is more suitable for intake at night, helping the elderly to improve their energy supply before bed without causing blood sugar fluctuations.
The anti-inflammatory effects of honey should not be overlooked. The anti-inflammatory components in honey can help alleviate the body's low-grade chronic inflammatory state, which is more common in older people and is closely associated with the development of several chronic diseases. Regular intake of honey can reduce the effects of this chronic inflammation to a certain extent, thereby helping to improve or prevent the occurrence of related diseases.
What's even more interesting is that the trace elements in honey are also beneficial for health. Honey contains a variety of trace elements such as potassium, calcium, magnesium, etc., which are essential for maintaining heart function, bone health, and the proper functioning of the nervous system.
Older people are often at risk of trace element deficiencies due to their weakened absorption function, and honey can supplement these essential nutrients to a certain extent.
Finally, we have to mention the soothing effect of honey. Honey has a natural calming effect and can help improve sleep quality to some extent. By drinking honey water every night, the elderly can naturally fall into a calmer and deeper state of sleep while enjoying the sweetness.
Lao Zhang's cup of honey water every night is not only a small habit in his daily life, but also a wise choice. The health benefits of this habit may be far beyond our imagination, and it maintains and promotes the health of the elderly through a variety of mechanisms, which is worth more people to understand and try.
Behind this seemingly simple habit, it is actually a manifestation of the wisdom of old age, and it is also a modern interpretation of traditional diet culture.
In addition to drinking honey water every night, there are several other habits that older people can develop before bedtime, which also have significant health benefits. Here, we don't just talk about the things we hear about a lot, like reading a book or listening to soft music, but we dive into some of the health habits that may not be so common, but are just as important.
First, let's talk about progressive muscle relaxation. It is a simple and easy relaxation technique, especially for the elderly. The method starts at one end of the body and gradually tenses and then relaxes each major muscle group.
This method not only helps to relieve tension in the body, but also improves the speed of falling asleep and the quality of sleep. By practicing this approach, seniors can better manage physical and psychological tension, helping to reduce anxiety and stress before bedtime and promote deeper rest.
Next, we can talk about "mindfulness meditation". This type of meditation emphasizes being aware of your physical sensations and breathing in the present moment, rather than focusing on disorganized thoughts.
For older adults, mindfulness meditation can not only help them reduce stress and anxiety, but also increase awareness of their own health and lead to more active self-care.
Mindfulness meditation has also been shown to improve mental state, such as reducing depression, which can be very beneficial in maintaining the overall well-being of older adults. Another activity that can be extremely helpful for the health of older people at night is "light physical exercise", such as yoga or tai chi.
What's more, engaging in light physical activity can help older adults release natural endorphins before bedtime, substances known as "happy hormones" that naturally boost mood and improve sleep quality.
Finally, we have to mention "establishing a regular bedtime ritual". This habit can be a series of activities, such as soaking your feet, reading lightly, or simply organizing your plans for the next day. Establishing a sense of ritual can psychologically help older adults demarcate the boundaries between daytime activities and nighttime rest, making it easier to fall asleep.
The repetition and regularity of bedtime rituals is itself a relaxation signal, telling the brain that it's time to relax and prepare for sleep. These bedtime habits, while different, all have in common that they all contribute to the health and quality of life of older adults in a variety of ways.
With these simple but effective methods, older adults can not only improve their physical health, but more importantly, receive mental and emotional support to enjoy their later years more. Such a lifestyle is not only concerned about the health of the body, but also a comprehensive attitude towards life and the art of living.
What do you think about honey water? Welcome to discuss in the comment area!
Resources
[1] Chang Qi. Correlation analysis between the occurrence of gastric mucosal lesions and inflammatory response and Helicobacter pylori infection in patients, Contemporary Medical Review, 2017-04-15