A little honey might provide more than a sweet taste. As National Honey Month, September marks the most productive month for honey in the United States.

Since European settlers introduced honey bees to New England in about 1638, honey has been used in everything from preparing food to making cement. But, recent studies found honey can also serve as an antioxidant, helping the body stay healthy.

"Antioxidants serve the purpose of scavenging oxygen-free radicals in the body," said Richard Klabunde, Ph.D., Ohio University associate professor of biomedical sciences.

Oxygen-free radicals are found in every human body and damage cells. The body has natural defenses to these toxins, but antioxidants help in the battle. Amounts of these radicals found in the body vary because of differences in individual diets, physical activity and diseases.

Foods containing high levels of vitamins C and E increase immunity because of the antioxidants they possess. While it is not proven antioxidants decrease stress-related disorders, because stress alters immunity, it might change the defense against oxygen-free radicals, he said.

Because honey bees pollinate the honey consumed, what they eat determines the level of antioxidants, according to a study funded by the Illinois Value-Added Research Program and the National Honey Board.

While most foods contain different levels of antioxidants, this value-added gives honey more nutritional benefits than just sugar.

Beside the benefit of providing antioxidants, investigators across the nation are attempting to find other ways honey can improve health.

Researcher Susan Percival, of the University of Florida's food science and human nutrition department, found honey contained trace amounts of vitamins, minerals, amino acids and antioxidants.

Honey's healthiness doesn't stop with digestion.

According to the National Honey Board, honey also contains hydrogen peroxide. Hydrogen peroxide and antioxidants prevent bacterial growth, so honey can be used to treat minor skin injuries.

In another study, funded by the National Honey Board, IMAGINutrition and MetaResponse, the Exercise and Sports Nutrition Laboratory at the University of Memphis attempted to find the effects of honey ingestion on hormonal profiles and exercise performance in three research projects.

While honey can be purchased at local food stores, another bee-producing product is gaining popularity because of its natural benefits.

The Farmacy Natural and Specialty Foods, 28 W. Stimson Ave., sells Royal Jelly, bee pollen that can be digested in capsule or condiment form.

Manager Brenda Exline said many customers use the jelly for allergies and hay fever.

While a hive of bees must fly 55,000 miles and tap two million flowers to produce one pound of honey, the average person consumes 1.1 pounds of honey per year. And, in 1998 there were more than 200 new products made with honey, according to the National Honey Board.