Discover how Manuka honey can support digestive health with scientifically-backed insights.
In this blog, we'll explore how the unique bioactive compounds in Manuka honey, particularly MGO and prebiotics, have been proven to aid in maintaining a healthy gut microbiome, reduce digestive discomfort, and promote overall digestive wellness.
Learn about the mechanisms that make Manuka honey a powerful ally for your digestive system and how incorporating it into your daily routine can contribute to better gut health.
History of Healing Honey
Ancient civilizations worldwide recognized honey's special powers as a nourishing and healing substance. The Egyptians were skilled beekeepers who recorded some 500 honey-based medicinal recipes, and the ancient Greeks revered their Melissae, healers named after the honeybee.
In Chinese medicine, honey is still used today as a moistening, balancing, stabilizing, harmonizing, and nourishing agent. Ayurveda recognizes its special affinity for the digestive system, where it is grounding and restorative, pacifies excess pitta and vata, and can support healthy bowel function.
In fact, Ayurveda considers honey to be one of the five elixirs of life! One of the most powerful and well-studied healing kinds of honey comes to us from yet another part of the world: the beautiful islands of New Zealand.
The Science of Manuka Honey
Raw Manuka honey contains two special nutrients called glucose oxidase and catalase. These enzymes release beneficial amounts of hydrogen peroxide and gluconic acid in the digestive system, which play a role in maintaining a healthy microbial balance and immune response - thereby contributing to the honey's ability to bolster and support a healthy immune system.
Furthermore, gluconic, citric, malic, and lactic acids in Manuka honey collaborate to establish a harmonious acidity level (similar to that of apple cider vinegar). This natural acidity helps to create an environment in which it can be more challenging for unwanted types of bacteria to thrive.
Simultaneously, this optimal pH level nurtures and supports a healthy level of the Lactobacillus and Bifidobacteria species (similar to the probiotics found in dietary supplements and wholesome fermented foods).
These combined actions contribute to fostering a well-balanced microbial ecosystem in the digestive system.
A balanced gut microbiome offers various benefits to the body, extending beyond digestion, such as maintaining immune resilience, supporting healthy levels of inflammation, aiding in emotional well-being, and supporting important cellular energy production.
| Component | Function | Health Benefits |
| Glucose Oxidase | Releases hydrogen peroxide |
Supports a healthy immune system, maintains microbial balance
|
| Catalase | Breaks down excess hydrogen peroxide into water and oxygen |
Protects cells from oxidative damage, enhances overall gut health
|
| Gluconic Acid | Contributes to acidity |
Fosters a beneficial environment for probiotic bacteria, aids in digestion
|
| Organic Acids (Citric, Malic, Lactic) | Establish harmonious acidity levels |
Creates an unfavorable environment for harmful bacteria, supports probiotic bacteria like Lactobacillus and Bifidobacteria
|
| Balanced Gut Microbiome | - |
Enhances immune resilience, supports healthy inflammation levels, boosts emotional well-being, aids cellular energy production
|
Manuka Honey's Superpowers
Manuka honey, produced by New Zealand bees from the Manuka bush (Leptospermum scoparium), stands out for its unique bioactive properties. Manuka honey offers significant health benefits and is rich in organic acids, polyphenols, and antioxidant flavonoids.
Key compounds like methylglyoxal (MGO), methyl syringate, and leptosperin have been extensively studied for their ability to support microbial balance, immune function, and digestive health.
MGO, found only in Manuka honey, exhibits strong antibacterial activity, both topically and in the digestive system, with a proven safety profile.
Methyl syringate and leptosperin, which comprise 70% of Manuka’s polyphenols, contribute to its potent antioxidant and antibacterial effects, supporting immune balance and healthy cell growth.
In addition to these compounds, Manuka honey contains natural sugars, prebiotic oligosaccharides, amino acids, enzymes, vitamins, minerals, and trace elements that further enhance its health-supporting properties.
Manuka Honey and the Digestive System
Honey has long been used to support and harmonize digestion, both as a single substance and as an ingredient in time-honored natural remedies (e.g., honey with ginger and turmeric to warm and stimulate digestion).
Raw Manuka honey contains nutrients that are especially suited to support healthy and well-balanced digestive health by:
- Encouraging a harmonious microbial population through nourishing beneficial bacteria in the gut, balancing the pH, and discouraging the growth of undesirable microbes;
- Supporting the gut immune system - a major source of activity that maintains a healthy inflammatory response both locally and throughout the body;
- Supporting a healthy rest-and-digest (parasympathetic) function of the nervous system to maintain a balanced level of stress, hormones, and mood;
- Supporting digestion and absorption of essential nutrients for general health and well-being;
- Helping to maintain balanced moisture in the intestinal tract, supporting smooth, healthy bowel movements;
- Helping mucous membranes to remain healthily coated to assist with comfortable digestion
- Aiding in digestive balance by supporting a balanced digestive environment;
- Providing antioxidants that aid in healthy detoxification processes, support balanced cell growth, contribute to overall well-being, and help to maintain bodily strength;
Manuka honey contains nutrients that support healthy digestive function by encouraging beneficial gut bacteria, balancing pH, supporting the gut immune system, and aiding in nutrient absorption. It also helps maintain balanced moisture in the intestinal tract, supports comfortable digestion, and provides antioxidants for overall well-being.
Delicious Digestive Support
Full bodied, dark, and richly aromatic, Manuka honey is an especially delicious way to help maintain balanced gut health. With its unique combination of synergistic polyphenols, antimicrobials, prebiotic constituents, antioxidants, and other important nutrients, Manuka is truly a superfood!
This unique honey offers so many benefits for the digestive system: nourishing, protecting, and supporting resilience, comfort and efficiency, maintaining gut immunity, and aiding in healthy digestive functions.
It's easy to add Manuka honey to your gut health routine - enjoy a spoonful alone or stir into a cup of your favorite soothing tea, morning smoothie, or live culture yogurt - or use it to add a touch of sweetness to any healthy food throughout the day (after cooking, of course: raw honey is more potent).
You can even enjoy it along with your probiotic supplements to offer extra nourishment and support to those beneficial bacteria.
Summary
Any way you take it, Manuka honey has superior activity in supporting a balanced gut microbiome, which as we know is especially important for maintaining healthy digestion and nutrient absorption.
Not only that, but a happy microbiome is fundamental for supporting healthy energy production, immune and inflammatory resilience, harmonious mood regulation, and overall health and vitality throughout the body!
Discover the exceptional Manuka Honey MGO 600+ UMF 16 for its unique properties. Our Trending Products section offers a curated selection of popular items for those who stay current with trends
Explore our comprehensive Manuka Honey Collection to learn more about the world of Manuka honey. To further understand the benefits and stories behind our products, engage with our August Sweet Talks, where we discuss Manuka honey as a superfood, as detailed in our Superfood Facts.
Learn about the unique New Zealand landscape that nurtures our bees and understand the meticulous Honey Making Process that ensures the highest quality of Manuka honey.
