Mead is believed to be the oldest consumed alcohol by humans, even before wine. In many places, mead is still homemade and is especially believed to have many therapeutic properties. Read to know more about the history of mead.
History Of Mead
Mead is believed to have a history of over 8000 years. It is said to have been created on the Island of Crete. Some also claim that it was first founded in China around the 7th millennium BCE. Mead was also mentioned in the Sanskrit Rig-Veda. Mead is thought to have been invented accidentally when honey and water were mixed. Today, mead is found in many ancient cultures of different countries. It is available in different types, and we will explore them below.
Types Of Mead
Show Mead: It is the simplest form of mead that contains honey, water, and yeast. It is a basic mead variety without any add-ons. Melomel Mead: This mead contains fruits such as raspberries, blackberries, or strawberries in addition to honey, water, and yeast. It is also used as a food preservative. Sparkling Mead: It is a carbonated mead variety with some extra honey added. This extra honey is added before bottling the mead. Pyment Mead: This mead contains grapes or grape juice. Its alcohol percentage also varies slightly. Cyser Mead: This mead is generally fermented with apple juice instead of water. It tastes slightly sweeter because of the apple juice. It is among the most commonly manufactured and consumed mead varieties.
Continue reading to know more about the health benefits of mead.
Does Drinking Mead Offer Any Health Benefits?
Mead may offer the following health benefits.
1. May Offer Anti-Inflammatory Benefits
Inflammation is the body’s basic response to external stimuli. This process helps the body get rid of any external pathogens. The results of such a reaction may include redness, itching, and pain. Honey has anti-inflammatory properties that effectively inhibit the cells that cause inflammation (1).
2. May Help Manage Upper Respiratory Tract Infections
Honey is believed to ease respiratory tract infections. It is the most common home remedy used to treat cough and cold. Research suggests that honey can effectively manage upper respiratory tract infections (2). Its antimicrobial properties may also have a role to play in this regard.
3. May Help Manage Gastrointestinal Diseases
Studies state that honey may help manage gastrointestinal issues like gastritis, duodenitis, and gastric ulceration (3). The pathogens that cause these diseases adhere to the intestinal epithelium. Honey can effectively stop this adherence and may prevent disease. Further research also states that honey can keep bacteria from adhering to the intestinal epithelial cells (4). These are the few important benefits of mead. While you can purchase it from a local store, preparing it at home is always better. We tell you how in the next section.
How To Make Honey Mead At Home?
What You Need
2 liters of water 500 grams of honey 5 grams of mead yeast 2 large containers with airlocks 100 grams of raisins
Method
Preparing mead is simple and consuming it may offer some benefits. However, excess mead intake may also cause adverse effects.
Risks Of Excess Mead Consumption
1. May Cause Diarrhea
Anecdotal evidence suggests that excessive consumption of mead may cause diarrhea as it contains honey. The sugar content in honey may cause loose stools if consumed in excess.
2. May Cause Diabetes Complications
Research suggests that intake of honey may elevate glycated hemoglobin levels, which may cause diabetes complications (5) Those with diabetes must practice caution while consuming mead.
3. May Cause Liver Damage
Research states that even moderate alcohol consumption is linked to liver damage. Mead generally contains 12-20 % of alcohol, which can negatively affect liver health (6). Direct research on mead is lacking. You may consult your doctor for further clarification. Is mead a probiotic? Yes. Mead is often considered a probiotic that helps improve gut health and immune system health. Can you get drunk off mead? Yes. The ABV (alcohol content by volume) of mead is high, and drinking a few glasses will put you over the limit. Does mead help you sleep? Since mead is a sugary alcohol, it may help you sleep. However, it typically causes nighttime disruptions and reduces sleep quality. Is mead a laxative? Mead has been considered a diuretic and laxative, making it a good solution for people dealing with constipation. Is mead an antibiotic? No. Mead is a fermented honey drink with natural antibacterial and antioxidant properties. When should I drink mead? You can have mead after a meal or at the end of the evening. It is better to avoid drinking it at least 3-4 hours before bed to prevent sleep disruptions.
