Executive Summary:

• Manuka honey contains many naturally occurring nutrients that support our health in various ways.
• Most notably, Manuka honey includes nutrients like MGO, Leptosperin, DHA, and fructooligosaccharides, which contribute to its superfood status.
• The nutrients in Manuka honey help support the immune system, digestive health, and more.
• There are plenty of ways to enjoy Manuka honey in any lifestyle, including drizzling it on toast or simply having a heaping spoonful each day.

Manuka Honey Benefits and Uses

We like to think of our Manuka honey as Honey with Superpowers™. Few can say their daily indulgence contains highly beneficial nutrients or that it comes 

As Manuka honey becomes progressively popular, you may wonder if this New Zealand-derived honey is as amazing as you’ve been told. So, in this article, we’ll take a closer look at the monumental health benefits of the nutrients in Manuka honey.  

What Is Manuka Honey? 

Manuka honey is derived from the Manuka tree, native to New Zealand. Many testimonials claim the experience of eating Manuka honey is unmatched and that the nutrients in this honey give way to incredible health benefits found in no other honey. 

Manuka honey is monofloral, meaning the honey consists of nectar from one tree species, the Leptospermum scoparium (also known as the New Zealand tea tree or Manuka bush), which is just one of the several reasons why Manuka honey is considered unique and rare.

Manuka honey has a long history, dating back to the indigenous Maori, the country’s first settlers who call it taonga, or treasure, as they found an astounding amount of uses for it.

The Manuka tree produces rich nectar packed with antioxidants, prebiotics, and other powerful organic nutrients, which have antibacterial properties. 

MGO (methylglyoxal) is one of Manuka’s main nutrients. It offers antibacterial properties that come straight from the nectar of the Manuka tree itself. As the bees use this nectar to produce this rich and creamy honey, the powers of MGO carry over into the finished product. 

Treating the honey with the utmost respect and care is key to preserving these powerful properties. At Manukora, we keep our honey in its most raw state — unpasteurized, project non-GMO verified, glyphosate residue-free (herbicide) — with ethical beekeeping and sustainability at the forefront.  

What Is Genuine Manuka Honey?

You may notice Manuka honey is often classified as genuine or authentic; this is because, with the increasing popularity of this potent product of nature, counterfeit Mānuka honey has unfortunately become increasingly common. 

With Manukora, you can rest easy — all of our Manuka honey is genuine, authentic Manuka honey made with nectar from the Manuka flower and harvested with ethical beekeeping practices that you won’t really find anywhere else. 

You don’t have to just take our word for it, either — we put each honey product through a rigorous testing and MGO grading system. All products are sent to a third-party testing site to confirm we’re only producing high-grade, MGO-potent Manuka honey.

All Manuka honey requires verification. If your current Manuka honey isn’t MPI and MGO certified, it may not be genuine Manuka. 

Luckily, with Manukora, you’ll easily be able to find out where your honey comes from. Every Manukora honey product comes with a unique QR code. By scanning this code, you can learn what hive your honey came from, the beekeeper responsible for the delectable nectar in your cabinet, and its potency and certification. 

Is Manuka Honey Considered a Superfood? 

Superfood is another way to say a specific food has the potential to offer a wealth of health benefits. Superfoods are often nutrient-dense and high in vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants.

Manuka honey has naturally occurring nutrients like MGO, Leptosperin, DHA (or dihydroxyacetone), and fructo-oligosaccharides — which offer wellness benefits from digestive support to antioxidant effects. The potency of these nutrients is what contributes to Manuka honey famously being dubbed a superfood.

What Are the Health Benefits of Manuka Honey?

Manuka honey isn’t just delicious and sweet. Its nutrition profile gives way to various health benefits, ensuring you’re looking after your body in the best way possible. So, what do the nutrients in this honey have to offer? 

A Better Way To Sweeten

Everyone is guilty of having a sweet tooth, but Manuka honey can help offset the common side effects that too much sugar consumption can cause. Since it’s low on the glycemic index and digests slower, you can expect fewer blood sugar spikes. This can mean a more stable mood and steady energy as you go about your day.

Meanwhile, excess added sugar consumption is associated with various chronic diseases, such as obesity, diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and more. In fact, there’s an abundant amount of sugar found in many processed foods, leading to increased caloric intake and other adverse effects. Thus, having a healthier way to offset this consumption and feed our sweet tooth might just support our health and longevity in leaps and bounds.

While Manuka honey may taste like one of your cheat days, it’s considered one of nature's most nourishing indulgences. You can enjoy Manuka honey straight from a spoon, drizzled over Greek yogurt, or even as a way to sweeten your favorite savory sauce.

Mother Nature’s sweetener offers benefits your typical table sugar has never even dreamed of, and while you should still consume honey in moderation, your body will appreciate the thoughtful substitution. 

General Wellness and Well-Being

Manuka honey has high levels of many nutrients that work to support your wellness journey — in more ways than one. 

MGO, an organic nutrient derived from the Manuka tree, is known for its antibacterial effects. These effects promote a healthy gut, which may spill over into other aspects of health.

When taken as a spoonful to start your day, Manuka honey can also help fuel increased and sustained energy thanks to its natural sugar content.

Immune Support 

Many people claim the nutrients in Manuka honey support immune function. This is why honey, in general, is a common option for supporting a comfortable and healthy throat. Perhaps you’ve experienced this before; the thick consistency of honey helps to coat the throat, helping maintain optimal comfort. Meanwhile, the antibacterial properties of MGO further help support your immune system.  

Digestive Health 

As more and more research comes out, we’re realizing gut health has a bigger impact beyond digestion. For instance, recent research demonstrates the undeniable connection between the brain and the gut, indicating compromised gut health can impact our bodies and our mood. Surprisingly, the gut even produces about 95% of the body’s serotonin, also called the happy hormone.

An imbalanced gut may occur when you have more “bad” gut bacteria than “good” gut bacteria. This can happen due to stress or even from what we eat.

Luckily, there are many ways you can maintain a healthy microbiome balance — the nutrients in Manuka honey being one delicious method. Along with MGO, oligosaccharides are another naturally occurring nutrient in Manuka honey. This natural prebiotic can aid in digestive support and gut health by helping to feed and nourish your good gut bacteria. This ensures everything functions as it should. 

Supercharge Your Favorite Food or Beverage

The uses of Manuka honey are diverse — whether you wish to utilize your honey as a part of your self-care routine or as a tool in your digestive health regimen, we’re sure you won’t be disappointed.

Another plus side to Manuka honey is its uniquely delectable and rich flavor and texture. Yes, its nutrients offer many other wellness benefits, but the creamy taste is a much-loved bonus. So, how can you enjoy your next bit of Manuka honey?

Eat It Straight 

Enjoying your Manuka honey straight from the spoon is one way to savor this sweet nectar. Not to mention, many of our customers describe the experience of consuming Manuka honey as a uniquely sensory affair due to its rich, creamy texture. 

Grab a spoonful of goodness each day and enhance your daily self-care or morning routine. 

Put It on Toast

This honey’s thick and creamy texture makes for an energizing morning spread and on-the-go breakfast. If you need a meal to kick start your day, consider lathering a piece of toast with peanut butter, slices of banana, and your favorite Manuka honey. This is one sweet meal we can get behind!

Drizzled Over Ice Cream 

This isn’t the first time we’ve referred to Manuka honey as one of the healthiest indulgences; because it's the truth. Manuka honey is robust and delicious and can be a healthy alternative to the syrupy high fructose corn syrup you’ll find in most dessert sweeteners.

Sip It in Your Tea

Tea and honey is a classic combo, and for good reason — both contain nutrients that offer many natural wellness properties. Depending on what ingredients are in the tea, this combo can help serve as a soothing and comforting home remedy (think a turmeric or ginger tea), or give way to relaxing effects (think valerian or chamomile), or offer energizing effects (think black, green, or even white teas). 

Are There Side Effects of Manuka Honey? 

You’re aware of all the benefits Manuka honey’s nutrients offer, but are there any potential side effects to using this type of honey? Unless you’re consuming copious amounts of Manuka honey or are allergic to bees, there should be no issues with you consuming this natural superfood. On another note, babies under one year of age shouldn’t consume honey either due to the risk of botulism. 

While Manuka honey is an organic, natural sweetener, that’s not to say it should be consumed in large quantities often — everything requires balance. Considering Manuka honey has no additives, it would require a lot to cause a problem, but a good rule of thumb is one to three tablespoons a day. 

The Bottom Line

Manuka honey contains many nutrients, which provide many wellness benefits. Its rich and delicious flavors make it easy to integrate into any daily routine. You can indulge in a sweet treat with the peace of mind that it’s actually working with your wellness journey, not against it. 

As Manuka honey gains popularity, it’s natural to be curious about its much-talked-about qualities. The best way to understand its allure is not just through reading testimonials but by experiencing its unique taste and benefits firsthand. Begin your Manuka honey journey by exploring its diverse range, from the potent Manuka Honey MGO1000 to the more subtle Manuka Honey 20+ MGO850.

Enhance this experience with the practical Manukora Dose Spoon, designed to ensure you get the perfect amount every time. To delve deeper into this honey's unique world, explore the Manuka Honey Collection for a variety of options. And for those new to Manuka honey, the Manuka Honey Purchase Guide is an invaluable resource to help you make informed choices.

The first month of integrating Manuka honey into your life, as detailed in the First Month with Manuka Honey guide, will be an enlightening experience, offering a new perspective on how honey can contribute positively to your health and well-being.

With Manuka honey becoming more popular, you may wonder if it’s as bewildering as you’ve heard. Reading testimonials is a great start, but tasting it yourself is the only way to know for sure! 

At Manukora, we prioritize our bees, which results in the highest quality Honey With Superpowers™ possible. We love that we can keep our hives happy and healthy while providing a uniquely sweet yet beneficial indulgence like no other.

Ready to try it for yourself? Our 600+ MGO Manuka honey is a good place to start. Otherwise, you can explore the rest of what Manukora has to offer here.

FAQs

How does Manukora ensure the authenticity of their Manuka honey?

Manukora puts each honey product through rigorous testing and an MGO grading system. Every product is sent to third-party testing sites to confirm its high-grade, MGO-potent quality. Additionally, every Manukora honey product has a unique QR code that provides details about its origin, beekeeper, potency, and certification.

What differentiates Manuka honey from other types of honey?

Manuka honey is derived solely from the nectar of the Manuka tree, native to New Zealand. It's a monofloral honey, meaning it comes from one tree species only. Moreover, it possesses unique beneficial compounds, such as MGO, that are linked to various health benefits.

How much Manuka honey is recommended for daily consumption?

While Manuka honey is a natural product, moderation is key. A good guideline is to consume one to three tablespoons a day, ensuring you don't overindulge and respecting any personal allergies or sensitivities, especially if one is allergic to bees.

Sources:

The Gut-Brain AxisThe Influence of Microbiota on Mood and Mental Health | NCBI

Testing Manuka honey is authentic | NZ Government

510(k) Premarket Notification - FDA

Antibacterial activity of Manuka honey and its components: An overview | PMC