All honey has health-boosting properties, but manuka honey outshines all other types with regard to antibacterial activity. Not only is manuka honey a tasty sweetener, but it also can be used in wound care and to treat a wide range of infections. Because of its extraordinary health benefits and medical uses, manuka honey tends to be more expensive than other honey varieties. Before trying manuka honey for medical reasons, consult a doctor for advice on proper usage.
Antibacterial Properties
All honey has antibacterial properties, mainly due to the release of hydrogen peroxide by enzymes in the honey. However, manuka honey has extra antimicrobial activity due to the combined action of a compound called methylglyoxal (MGO), and a synergystic compound that is as of yet unidentified. Because of this unusual mechanism, the antibacterial activity of manuka honey is not hampered by the enzyme catalase, which has a deleterious effect on the antimicrobial properties of other honeys.
Origin
Manuka honey can only be found in New Zealand, where bees make their honey from the flowers of the manuka bush, Leptospermum scoparium. The proportion of manuka nectar in the honey is the most important factor in the presence and potency of its antibacterial activity.
Uses
Active manuka honey can be used as a salve on wounds and consumed to treat intestinal infections. In comparison to other types of honey, manuka honey is twice as effective against the bacteria enterococci and E. coli, according to the Waikato Honey Research Unit. Manuka honey can also destroy Staphylococcus aureus, a bacteria that frequently infects wounds. It is also effective against Heliobacter pylori, the bacteria responsible for some types of stomach ulcers. A 2004 pilot study in the Journal of the International Academy of Peridontology found that manuka honey was also effective in reducing dental plaque and bleeding when used as a treatment for gingivitis and periodontal disease.
Honey Benefits
In addition to its antibacterial activity, manuka honey also shares many beneficial properties with other types of honey. Honey can lower blood sugar, boost immune function and reduce cortisol levels, according to research presented at the 2008 First International Symposium on Honey and Human Health. Cortisol is a stress hormone and lowered levels indicate a better response to physical and psychological stress. Honey also contains antioxidants such as quercetin and caffeic acid, enzymes and probiotic bacteria, the healthy bacteria that colonize the gut and protect it from invaders.
Potency
The potency of manuka honey can be measured in two different ways. Unique Manuka Factor (UMF) testing looks at the antibacterial activity of the non-hydrogen peroxide component of the honey. Levels above 10 are normal for manuka honey and higher numbers are even better. The scale for UMF activity is from 0 to 30. Honey with active levels of MGO is labeled as "Active Manuka Honey." A second system for measuring potency is the MGO system, which measures the specific amount of methylglyoxal, the main active antibacterial component of manuka nectar.
References
- Waikato Honey Research Unit: What's special about Active Manuka Honey?
- Journal of the International Academy of Peridontology: The effects of manuka honey on plaque and gingivitis: a pilot study
- MGO Manuka Honey: Methylglyoxyl Testing
- First International Symposium on Honey and Human Health
- BeeSource: Honey Composition and Properties
Member Comments