Manuka Honey as a Natural Prebiotic: Supporting Gut Health

Manuka Honey as a Natural Prebiotic: Supporting Gut Health
Laura Garet

Laura Garet

4 minutes

Key Takeaways: 


Manuka Honey: A Natural Prebiotic for Gut Health

Our gut health counts for a lot. Recent research even suggests that good gut health is linked to better mental health. In other words, what we put in our bodies matters more than we might think.

When it comes to what you eat, Manuka honey has gained popularity worldwide for its health-supporting properties. Yet, did you know that Manuka honey also has natural prebiotics that can help support your digestive health in various ways?

If you’re curious about learning more about this delicious and yummy liquid gold, keep reading. Below, we explore how Manuka honey supports a healthy microbiome, highlight its prebiotic effects, and provide practical tips on incorporating it into your diet.

 

Understanding Prebiotics

Prebiotics are non-digestible food components that encourage the growth of beneficial bacteria in the gut. Unlike probiotics, which are live microorganisms, prebiotics serve as food for these good bacteria, helping them flourish and maintain a balanced gut microbiome. A healthy microbiome is crucial for well-being, influencing everything from digestion to immune function.

Manuka honey qualifies as a prebiotic due to its high content of non-digestible carbohydrates, particularly oligosaccharides. The body does not break down these compounds, which instead reach the colon undigested—nourishing beneficial bacteria like Lactobacillus and Bifidobacteria. In this way, Manuka honey helps maintain a balanced gut environment.

 

The Science Behind Manuka Honey’s Prebiotic Benefits

The prebiotic effects of Manuka honey are primarily attributed to its unique composition, which includes high levels of methylglyoxal (MGO). This nutrient gives Manuka honey its powerful antibacterial properties. However, MGO is not the only component that makes Manuka honey beneficial for gut health.

Studies have shown that Manuka honey contains various oligosaccharides that can support the growth of beneficial gut bacteria. Further research is ongoing, but the current evidence suggests that incorporating Manuka honey into your diet can be a natural and effective way to support gut health and maintain a healthy microbiome.

 

Benefits of Manuka Honey for Digestive Health

Maintaining a balanced gut microbiome is essential for proper digestion and nutrient absorption. By supporting the growth of beneficial bacteria, Manuka honey aids in maintaining a healthy gut. 

In turn, a healthy gut can mean a better mood and improved overall wellness, thanks to the gut-brain axis. This intricate connection acts as a two-way highway between our brain and gut. In other words, poor gut health can impact our mental well-being and vice versa. However, by supporting your gut with prebiotic foods, like Manuka honey, you can maintain optimal digestion and potentially good mental health, too!

Just one to three teaspoons of Manuka honey a day can support your health and wellness in multiple ways. It also has a delicate, hint-of-caramel taste and velvety texture, adding something special to look forward to each day.

 

Practical Ways to Incorporate Manuka Honey into Your Diet

Incorporating Manuka honey into your daily routine is simple and versatile. Here are some practical ways to enjoy it:

  • Level-up your breakfast by drizzling Manuka honey over oatmeal.
  • Mix Manuka honey into Greek yogurt to create a delicious and gut-friendly snack.
  • Add a spoonful of Manuka honey to your morning smoothie for a natural sweetness that supports gut health.
  • Stir a teaspoon into cool or lukewarm herbal teas (Stirring this liquid gold into boiling hot liquid will destroy some of its beneficial nutrients, which is why we always recommend waiting until your food or beverage has cooled off first!).
  • Substitute Manuka honey for regular sugar in recipes for baked goods, salad dressings, or marinades.

 

Enjoy All the Goodness of Manuka Honey Today!

Manuka honey is a potent prebiotic that supports the growth of good gut bacteria and helps to maintain a balanced microbiome. Thus, it can play an important role in a healthy digestive system. Overall, enjoying Manuka honey as part of your routine is a simple and delicious way to support your gut health! 

Plus, getting your prebiotics has never been more delicious. Whether you want to enhance your daily wellness routine or support a healthy digestive system, Manukora’s Manuka honey is a natural and practical choice. Each jar carries the authenticity and trust you deserve, backed by our promise of purity and traceability. Explore the benefits of Manukora’s high-potency MGO-rated Manuka honey and discover a product that’s good for your gut health and the planet.



Sources: 

Mayo Clinic | What are probiotics and prebiotics?

The Potential of Honey as a Prebiotic Food to Re-engineer the Gut Microbiome Toward a Healthy State

How to Improve and Reset Gut Health

The gut-brain axis: interactions between enteric microbiota, central and enteric nervous systems 

Oligosaccharides Isolated from MGO™ Manuka Honey Inhibit the Adhesion of Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Escherichia Coli O157:H7 and Staphylococcus Aureus to Human HT-29 cells - PMC

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