Top Manuka Honey Benefits For Whole Body Health

Not all foods are created equal. As a functional medicine expert, I know that different foods can affect each person differently – even the healthiest foods like spinach can be problematic for some people. 

But there are also a few foods that consistently show up in both research and clinical practice as being profoundly supportive to overall wellbeing. And one of those is Manuka honey. 

Most people think of honey as a natural sweetener and a better option than refined sugar (which it is), but it also offers several health benefits, and Manuka honey is in a league of its own. 

This rare honey has an especially high concentration of bioactive compounds and potent antimicrobial activity. 

Let’s get into exactly what makes Manuka honey different from other types of honey, and the benefits of using it in your wellness routine for whole body health. 

What Makes Manuka Honey Different?

Manuka honey is made by bees who forage on the Leptospermum scoparium or Manuka bush that is native to New Zealand and select regions of Australia. The Manuka flower also only blooms for 2-6 weeks per year, making this honey one of the rarest in the world.

One compound that sets Manuka honey apart from other varieties is methylglyoxal (MGO), which is responsible for Manuka honey’s powerful antibacterial properties and many of its anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects. 

The nectar of Manuka flowers also contain a compound called dihydroxyacetone (DHA), which converts to MGO once it’s made into honey by bees. 

Dozens of other beneficial compounds including antioxidants, flavonoids, and polyphenols have also been isolated from Manuka nectar. 

Manuka honey may also be more gentle on blood sugar compared to regular honey (or refined sweeteners), when used in moderation. This is because it contains enzymes and minerals that help moderate its impact on blood glucose. When used in small amounts and in combination with protein and fat, it may be able to satisfy sweet cravings without causing big glycemic spikes. However, Manuka honey still contains natural sugars and those with diabetes or glycemic control concerns should monitor usage closely. 

Health Benefits of Manuka Honey 

Thanks to all of the bioactive compounds found in Manuka honey, it’s been shown to offer many different kinds of healing properties and health benefits. Here are some of the most powerful benefits of Manuka honey. 

#1. Supports Wound Healing, Tissue Regeneration, and Immune Health

Manuka honey has been shown to support wound healing, reduce inflammation, and promote tissue regeneration. (1-3) Medical-grade Manuka honey is even used in hospital settings in the healing process of burns, ulcers, and infected wounds, thanks to its ability to inhibit harmful bacteria like Staphylococcus aureus (including the antibiotic-resistant strain MRSA). (4) In general, Manuka Honey has been shown to help fight off a variety of pathogens due to its antimicrobial properties. (5) 

#2. Improves Oral Health and Soothes Sore Throats

Thanks to its antiviral and antibacterial effects, as well as its antioxidant properties, Manuka honey is one of my go-to remedies for a sore throat. It works to coat and soothe irritated tissues while also actively combating pathogens. Research also suggests that it can support oral health by reducing plaque formation, treating gingivitis, and suppressing harmful bacteria linked to tooth decay and gum disease. (6) 

READ MORE: How The Oral Microbiome Is A Key To Better Health

#3. Supports Gut Health and Microbiome Balance 

Studies have shown Manuka honey to be beneficial for digestion due to its ability to lower inflammatory cytokines in the gut, including IL-6 and TNF-alpha. (7). A diet supplemented with Manuka honey can also help increase beneficial bacteria in the microbiome. (8) Some studies suggest it may help with gastrointestinal conditions including GERD, gastritis, and inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). (9, 10) 

#4. Contributes to Glowing Skin 

Manuka honey’s antibacterial and anti-inflammatory benefits make it a great natural treatment for a variety of skin concerns, including acne and irritated skin. It can be applied topically (it’s a great addition to homemade face masks!) to reduce acne-causing bacteria, calm redness, and speed up the healing of blemishes and minor wounds. It can also be used as a natural option for eczema. (11) 

#5. Provides Overall Antioxidant and Anti-Inflammatory Support 

We’ve focused on a few specific conditions and symptoms here, but the bigger picture is that Manuka honey helps to combat oxidative stress and inflammation, which are behind all kinds of chronic disease. These antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties make it a supportive tool when it comes to illness and imbalance of all kinds. 

Tips For Using Manuka Honey

I love natural remedies like Manuka honey that can be both therapeutic and delicious! It’s very versatile and can be incorporated into your daily life or made into remedies for specific concerns. 

Here are a few ways you can use manuka honey: Add to warm tea to soothe a sore throat (avoid boiling or very hot liquids, which can denature the honey and reduce its beneficial effects) Mix a small amount with warm lemon water daily to support digestion and immune health (or just take a spoonful on its own!) Apply topically (to the skin) to help soothe acne, eczema, or minor woundsUse in homemade face masks and other skincare formulas to support balanced skin Use in place of other honeys or sweeteners in cooking or baking where possible 

Are There Any Side Effects? 

Manuka honey is considered safe for most people when used in moderation, but there are always a few considerations based on bio-individuality. Those with bee or pollen allergies should exercise caution and consult a healthcare provider. For topical use, like anything you put on your skin, it’s best to patch test first (especially if you have more sensitive or reactive skin). And again, because it is still a form of sugar, those with insulin resistance or diabetes should seek medical advice and use with caution.

Choosing a Good Manuka Honey

Given the popularity of Manuka honey, shelves have become more and more crowded with different options. I know it can be hard to figure out which products are the real deal, and which are just marketed well. Here are a few things to keep in mind. 

First, true Manuka honey must come from New Zealand or select regions in Australia. From there, you can look for grading systems including Unique Manuka Factor™ (UMF) or KFactor™, which signify that the honey has been tested for authenticity and quality. 

I also like to look for Manuka honey products that are free of GMOs and pesticides, and that offer transparency when it comes to their sustainability and harvesting practices. 

The one that I recommend most often to my patients (and use myself at home) is the raw Manuka honey from Wedderspoon. Their raw, unpasteurized Manuka honey meets all of my qualifications, and it tastes amazing. If you want to try it, you can get 10% off with the code DRCOLE10 right here. 

As one of the first functional medicine telehealth clinics in the world, we provide webcam health consultations for people around the globe.

Sources

• Mandal, Manisha Deb, and Shyamapada Mandal. “Honey: its medicinal property and antibacterial activity.” Asian Pacific journal of tropical biomedicine vol. 1,2 (2011): 154-60. doi:10.1016/S2221-1691(11)60016-6
• Almasaudi, Saad B et al. “Manuka Honey Exerts Antioxidant and Anti-Inflammatory Activities That Promote Healing of Acetic Acid-Induced Gastric Ulcer in Rats.” Evidence-based complementary and alternative medicine : eCAM vol. 2017 (2017): 5413917. doi:10.1155/2017/5413917
• Ezz El-Arab, A. M., Girgis, S. M., Hegazy, E. M., & Abd El-Khalek, A. B. (2006). Effect of dietary honey on intestinal microflora and toxicity of mycotoxins in mice. BMC complementary and alternative medicine, 6, 6. https://doi.org/10.1186/1472-6882-6-6
• Johnston, Matthew & McBride, Michael & Dahiya, Divakar & Owusu-Apenten, Richard & Nigam, Poonam. (2018). Antibacterial activity of Manuka honey and its components: An overview. AIMS Microbiology. 4. 655-664. 10.3934/microbiol.2018.4.655.\