What is so special about Manuka Honey?
Manuka honey is liquid gold that does more than just add sweetness to your tea. It is nature’s anti-inflammatory delicacy, which, according to its supporters, both nourishes and heals.
Your Manuka honey has traveled a long way before reaching your kitchen. It is produced from the nectar of the Leptospermum scoparium tree, also known as the tea tree, which grows exclusively in New Zealand and Australia.
Honey enthusiasts claim that Australian bees create an exceptional product.
What are the secrets of Manuka Honey?
A key component of Manuka honey’s popularity is the compound methylglyoxal (MGO). This compound is largely responsible for the honey’s strong antibacterial properties and forms naturally as the honey matures.
The sweet nectar from down under contains a significant amount of MGO.
While other types of honey typically contain up to 5.4 mg of MGO per kg, Manuka honey boasts as much as 835 mg per kg.
Clinical studies have shown that Manuka honey can not only accelerate the healing of acute wounds and burns but also reduce pain and inflammation. This is why it is used in medical dressings and wound treatment ointments.
Plastic surgery specialists, for example, often use Manuka honey due to research showing that it significantly shortens the healing time of wounds and lowers the risk of infections.
Famed for its unique medicinal properties, Manuka honey is used in hospitals and veterinary clinics for wound treatment, as it is effective against multiple types of bacteria and can help combat infections. This sweet “bee product” is also a highly popular choice in alternative medicine.
Which Manuka Honey is the Best?
- Look for certifications. UMF (Unique Manuka Factor) is a certification that guarantees the quality and authenticity of Manuka honey.
- Buy from reliable sources. Seek out recognized retailers and manufacturers. Avoid honey with unclear origins or suspiciously cheap versions.
- Read the label. It should specify the producer and whether the honey comes from New Zealand or Australia.
Honey is delicious in tea, porridge, and on toast. YUM!
Is it OK to eat Manuka Honey every day?
If you are primarily interested in Manuka honey for its great taste, it is worth noting that the MGO content has drawn the attention of the Danish Food Authority. MGO is suspected of being carcinogenic if consumed in excessive amounts. MGO occurs naturally in the body and is approved as a food ingredient, but according to the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA), consumption should remain under 0.1 mg per day.
A regular teaspoon of honey contains up to 6 mg of methylglyoxal.
However, EFSA considers the risk minimal compared to the natural production of MGO in the body and notes that there is still insufficient documented knowledge on the subject.
Manuka honey advocates recommend starting with a small amount—1 to 2 teaspoons (5-10 grams) per day—to see how it benefits you. You can then gradually increase your intake to 2-3 tablespoons (30-45 grams) per day. However, it is important to remember that all honey is rich in sugar and contains a significant number of calories.
Enjoy nature’s liquid treasure in moderation to avoid spiking your blood sugar or gaining weight in excitement over your new Australian discovery.
Can you put manuka honey in hot tea?
Yes, you can put Manuka honey in hot tea, but with some important considerations:
- Temperature Matters: Add honey to tea that has cooled slightly below 140°F (60°C) to preserve its beneficial nutrients.
- Brief Heat Exposure is Safe: Short-term exposure to warm temperatures will not significantly reduce Manuka honey’s beneficial effects.
Key Tips for Adding Manuka Honey to Tea
- Let boiling water cool for a few seconds before adding honey
- Stir well to distribute and further cool the honey
- Avoid prolonged heating or microwaving, which could reduce its benefits
Manuka honey offers multiple advantages when added to tea:
- Natural sweetener
- Provides anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties
- Enhances tea’s flavor with a unique caramel and floral taste
The honey remains stable in warm conditions, making it a delicious and healthful addition to your favorite hot beverages.
Does Manuka Honey Help With a Sore Throat?
Honey’s soothing effect and its ability to combat infections make it a popular home remedy for coughs.
If you have a sore throat due to a viral infection, try drinking a cup of warm water or tea with a spoonful of Manuka honey. Its antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties help relieve throat irritation and reduce coughing.
However, if you have bacterial tonsillitis, honey can be used as a complementary remedy but should never replace antibiotics.
Does Manuka Honey Increase Testosterone?
Manuka honey may help increase testosterone levels due to its bioactive compounds, such as antioxidants, phenolic acids, quercetin, and chrysin, which support testosterone production. Studies suggest it enhances luteinizing hormone production, improves Leydig cell viability, and reduces oxidative stress in the testes. However, excessive consumption could have negative effects on testosterone levels, as indicated in animal studies.
Human studies are limited, so while moderate consumption (e.g., 1–2 tablespoons daily) might offer benefits, more research is needed to confirm its effects on testosterone in humans.
Citations:
- Mechanisms of honey on testosterone levels – PMC https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC6612531/
- https://www.researchgate.net/publication/267802498_The_Influence_of_Excessive_and_Prolonged_Ingestion_of_Honey_on_Sex_Hormones_and_Prostate_Specific_Antigen_in_Adult_Male_Wistar_Rats
- https://www.bibliomed.org/fulltextpdf.php?mno=20083
