Mānuka's Superpowers

Manuka Honey and Its Effects on the Microbiome

Krista Bugden

Published at: January 23, 2025
Updated at: January 23, 2025

5 minutes

Executive Summary:

The balance of bacteria in your gut plays an essential role in immune and digestive health.
Manuka honey contains nutrients—like prebiotics and antioxidants—that support digestive wellness.
Manuka honey is simple and delicious as part of a healthy lifestyle, and there are many ways to enjoy the digestive benefits of this delicious liquid gold.

Manuka Honey's Impact on a Healthy Microbiome

While ancient civilizations theorized the gut played a significant role in health and wellness, it wasn’t until recently that research proved this to be true. The gut has been linked to mental health, immunity, and more. At the center of these intricate connections is the microbiome—the collection of microorganisms that reside in the gut.

Put simply, when you support your microbiome, you also support your overall health. The best way to maintain microbiome health is to eat a diet that promotes a healthy digestive system—such as incorporating delicious sources of prebiotics like Manuka honey. In this article, we explore how Manuka honey supports a healthy microbiome—but first, let’s take a closer look at what the microbiome is and why it matters.

What Is the Microbiome?

Your microbiome is the community of bacteria and other microorganisms that live in your gut. However, it’s worth noting that the skin, mouth, and respiratory tract also feature microbiomes. In other words, not all bacteria are bad; they can actually contribute to good health in numerous ways. Below, we dive into how this community of tiny helpers is vital in supporting your overall wellness. What should you know?

The Role of the Microbiome in Digestive Health

Microorganisms in your gut help to break down complex carbohydrates and dietary fiber—enhancing the energy available to you and your body. They also contribute to the production of digestive enzymes, which are essential for optimal absorption of nutrients—including vitamins and minerals.

Additionally, your microbiome plays a role in the formation of specific vitamins in the gut, such as vitamin K and certain B vitamins (like biotin, folate, and B12). These beneficial microbes help synthesize these essential nutrients, contributing to energy production, blood clotting, and overall health.

The Role of the Microbiome in Immunity

Ongoing research highlights the role of the microbiome in the body’s immune health. When it comes down to it, a balanced microbiome protects the lining of the digestive tract, which provides a barrier against harmful pathogens. It also helps recognize harmful antigens and signals the body to activate immune responses against them.

Factors Influencing Microbiome Balance

Your microbiome relies on balance to function optimally—and positive lifestyle choices and a healthy diet support this balance. For instance, incorporating wholesome, nourishing foods and staying active with regular exercise can support a healthy microbiome. In contrast, a lack of exercise and excess consumption of processed foods could lead to poor gut health.

Manuka Honey: A Natural Source of Nutrients for the Microbiome

Alongside nutrient-dense foods, certain ingredients offer extra support for your microbiome and help maintain a healthy digestive system—Manuka honey being a prime example. In the following sections, we dig into exactly why Manuka honey is a gut-friendly addition to your daily diet, including its unique nutrients and prebiotics.

Unique Nutrients in Manuka Honey

Authentic Manuka honey is rich in unique compounds such as leptosperin and methyl syringate, which are known for their antioxidant properties. These antioxidants may help protect the body from oxidative stress and contribute to overall well-being by supporting natural bodily functions.

Additionally, Manuka honey serves as a natural source of prebiotics, which helps maintain the beneficial gut bacteria and helps create a balanced internal environment (more on this below).

Prebiotics and Their Impact on Gut Health

Prebiotics are unique types of fiber that nourish beneficial bacteria in the gut. In addition to its many valuable nutrients, Manuka honey contains oligosaccharides—a complex form of carbohydrate—which behave as prebiotics. In turn, these oligosaccharides contribute to a healthy microbiome—which promotes more efficient digestion and a healthier and happier gut.

Supporting a Healthy Microbiome with Manuka Honey

Manuka honey has become a popular health food worldwide due to its diverse and potent nutrient profile. Its beneficial nutrients make this liquid gold a worthwhile choice for supporting gut health. With that in mind, you might want to consider adding this delicious nectar to your daily routine.

At Manukora, our favorite way to enjoy this one-of-a-kind honey is by having a heaping teaspoon first thing in the morning. For further health support, reach for another heaping teaspoon (or two) throughout your day. It can be enjoyed in your morning coffee or tea, or even in lemon water. Make sure to add it once your hot brew has briefly cooled off to ensure you keep all those beneficial nutrients intact.

You can also enjoy this golden liquid by:

Replacing your sweetener with Manuka honey in smoothies.
Drizzling it over yogurt or oatmeal.
Experimenting by adding it to salad dressings or glazes in your culinary masterpieces.

To truly enjoy the beneficial nutrients in Manuka honey, we suggest making it a daily part of your diet.

Choosing Quality Manuka Honey

Now that you’re inspired to add Manuka honey to your lifestyle, you’re probably wondering which Manuka honey product to buy. Understanding MGO ratings will help you with this decision.

What is MGO?

Methylglyoxal (MGO) has been studied for its antibacterial, antifungal, and antiviral properties in Manuka honey. Due to its wellness benefits, it is used to rate each Manuka honey product. The greater the MGO rating, the higher the concentration of beneficial nutrients in each jar—including antioxidants and prebiotics.

For first-timers at Manukora, we encourage you to try our Manuka honey starter kits, which include MGO ratings of 600+, 850+, and 1000+. If you’re unsure what MGO rating is right for you, take our MGO quiz here.

Manukora's Commitment to Excellence

At Manukora, we are committed to working with Mother Nature, not against her. We’re passionate about the health of our bees, holding fast to traditional beekeeping practices and limited processing to maintain the quality of our raw Manuka honey.

As such, we harvest our honey only in remote locations—away from pesticides, and each of our products is traceable to the source; QR codes on each jar offer up all kinds of information, including third-party testing and even information about the beekeeper who tended to your particular batch. Our honey is also free from glyphosate, antibiotics, and GMOs. It doesn’t get more natural or authentic than Manukora Manuka honey!

Manuka Honey: Delicious Digestive Support

Manuka honey contains a wealth of beneficial nutrients that support health and well-being. Its antioxidants and prebiotics play a noteworthy role in digestive wellness by supporting a healthy microbiome.

Ready to enjoy the yummy goodness of Manuka honey? Explore Manukora’s range of Manuka honey products—our starter kits are a great place to begin your journey into the unique (and delicious) world of Manuka honey!