Manuka honey is produced by bees that visit the manuka bush, Leptospermum scoparium, which is native to New Zealand and southeast Australia. Manuka honey is a monofloral honey, meaning it is derived from the nectar of only one plant. Although all honeys possess some degree of antibacterial activity, manuka honey is reputedly endowed with unique antimicrobial properties by virtue of its methylglyoxal content. Methylglyoxal has been called "unique manuka factor," or UMF, by the processors of manuka honeys.
Methylglyoxal
Methylglyoxal, or MGO, is a relatively simple compound that is formed in living cells as a byproduct of glucose metabolism. According to a study published in the September 2010 issue of "PLoS One," MGO is a highly reactive molecule that damages proteins and contributes to the formation of toxic advanced glycation end products, or AGEs. Increased tissue levels of MGO and AGEs have been linked to aging, cancer, diabetes and other disorders in humans. However, your body possesses mechanisms to detoxify the MGO it produces.
Unique Manuka Factor
Manuka bushes normally produce high levels of methylglyoxal, possibly as a defense against microbial diseases that would otherwise damage the plants. When honeybees collect manuka nectar, MGO is subsequently incorporated into their honey. Due to natural variations in plant metabolism and differences in manufacturing and processing, not all manuka honeys contain the same levels of MGO. This is reflected in product labeling, which indicates a UMF number for a given manuka product. The higher the UMF number, the more MGO the honey contains.
Uses
Given their antibacterial properties, manuka honeys are utilized in various clinical settings as wound dressings. In 2010, scientists at the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland demonstrated that UMF® 25+ manuka honey was effective as a topical agent for inhibiting the growth of Staphylococcus aureus -- including several strains of methicillin-resistant staph aureus, or MRSA -- Escherichia coli and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Manuka's promoters tout their products for treating peptic ulcers, gastroesophageal reflux, irritable bowel syndrome, influenza, sinus infections, colitis and eye infections, but there is insufficient scientific evidence to support these claims.
Considerations
UMF is a trademarked term for methylglyoxal, an antibacterial agent found in manuka honey. Although there are several medicinal honeys on the market -- some, such as Ulmo 90 honey, exhibit greater activity against MRSA than manuka honey -- UMF is found only in manuka products. Products with higher UMF values contain more methylglyoxal. Although consumption of manuka honey appears to be safe, high tissue levels of methylglyoxal have been associated with certain chronic diseases. If you suffer from a medical condition, ask your doctor if you should consume manuka honey.
References
- "PLoS One"; Methylglyoxal Alters the Function and Stability of Critical Components of the Protein Quality Control; C.F. Bento, et al.; September 2010
- "BMC Complementary and Alternative Medicine"; Comparison of the Antimicrobial Activity of Ulmo Honey from Chile and Manuka Honey Against Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa; O. Sherlock, et al.; September 2010
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