When most people think of a healthy lifestyle, gooey, creamy treats don’t often come to mind. But in the case of Mānuka honey, delicious sweetness is coupled with intense wellness benefits. Produced in remote areas in New Zealand, Mānuka honey stands out as a superfood due to its unique properties. Its rich flavor and creamy texture are merely the cherry on top.
One of the key components found in abundance in Mānuka honey is Methylglyoxal or MGO. This nutrient is used to rate the potency of the Mānuka honey. You can buy Manukora’s Mānuka honey at Mother’s Market—including MGO 50+, MGO 200+, and MGO 600+ products. So, should you try this Honey With SuperpowersTM? From Mānuka honey uses to Mānuka honey benefits, here’s everything you should know about this sweet liquid gold!
What is Mānuka Honey?
Mānuka honey is so much more than a delicious, natural sweetener—it’s a superfood. It contains potent and unique nutrients that support your immune response, digestive health, and general well-being—it should be a staple in everyone’s wellness routine. In fact, the MGO in Mānuka honey gives way to antibacterial and antimicrobial properties—and this sets Mānuka honey apart from all other honey products that line the store shelves.
At the same time, not all Mānuka honey is as it seems; you always want to do your due diligence and ensure you’re getting quality and authentic Mānuka honey every time, like Manukora’s Mānuka honey—which even has a QR code on every jar you can scan to view the beekeeper who harvested your batch, third party testing, and more! With Manukora’s ethical beekeeping practices, you can rest assured your honey is being sourced in an environmentally sustainable way.
But let’s rewind a second and explore Mānuka honey’s rich origins. Where does this one-of-a-kind honey come from?
In the remote forests of New Zealand, a resilient and medicinal plant flourishes: the Mānuka tea tree. The unusual nectar from this indigenous plant boasts an extremely high concentration of MGO (methylglyoxal)—a compound with potent antibacterial and antimicrobial properties [1].
In this carefully protected environment, honey bees feast on the nectar from its tiny white flowers, miles away from other flowering plants. The honey that results reflects the chemical composition of the unique nectar and is rich in MGO.
The key nutrients present in Mānuka honey include:
● Methylglyoxal (MGO) — A potent antibacterial and antimicrobial compound
● Leptosperin and Methyl Syringate — Powerful antioxidants unique to Mānuka honey
● Oligosaccharides — Probiotics that support a healthy gut
Health Benefits of Mānuka Honey
Mānuka honey contains plenty of supportive health benefits, making it a great addition to almost any diet. To continually enjoy the health-supporting properties of Mānuka honey, make Manukora’s Mānuka honey part of your daily routine. Many enjoy Mānuka honey by the heaping teaspoon for an energetic and healthy start to their day! With that in mind, here are some of its most prominent Mānuka honey wellness benefits:Immune SupportMānuka honey contains an unusually high concentration of MGO. This rare nutrient has powerful antibacterial and antimicrobial (antifungal and antiviral) properties. When genuine Mānuka honey, such as Manukora’s Mānuka honey, is enjoyed as part of a healthy lifestyle, MGO supports your body’s natural immune response as it works hard to combat ever-present bacteria, viruses, and fungi.Digestive HealthThere is a growing awareness of the importance of gut health for a healthy body. Healthy gut bacteria—also known as your microbiome—is linked to improved immunity, higher energy levels, and better digestion [2].So, where does Mānuka honey play a part here? Well, Mānuka honey contains complex natural sugars that behave as prebiotics. These encourage the growth of healthy gut bacteria and, thus, support a healthy microbiome.General WellnessYour body is made up of billions of cells that divide, get damaged, die, and are replaced. Healthier cells naturally equals a healthier you.Mānuka honey is rich in potent antioxidants—some of which are unique to this premium honey. These powerful antioxidants support your health on a cellular level, combat the damage caused by stress, and promote general well-being.Understanding MGO Ratings in Mānuka HoneyNo two batches of honey are the same. The maturity of the bee colony, the climate, the abundance of nectar, and the harvesting process all contribute to the natural variation seen in Mānuka honey. As MGO is a key nutrient, Mānuka honey is often rated according to its MGO concentration. The higher the concentration of MGO, the greater the antioxidant and prebiotic factors are.
Simply put, the MGO rating indicates the strength and potency of Mānuka honey. The greater the MGO rating, the greater the wellness benefits. At Mother’s Market, you can choose from the following authentic Manukora products, including:
- ● MGO 50+: This product supports general well-being and is a great daily choice as part of a healthy lifestyle.
- ● MGO 200+: The higher amount of MGO and antioxidants provide additional wellness and immunity support.
- ● MGO 600+: This potent product is the perfect choice if you’re looking for a more intense wellness ally. It supports general well-being, a natural immune response, and digestive health (a healthy microbiome).
How to Use Manūka Honey Every Day
Mānuka honey is delicious, so adding it to your daily routine is simple and enjoyable!
Here are a few ideas:
- ● A heaping teaspoon straight from the jar offers a sweet and creamy treat.
- ● Drizzle some over yogurt, fruit, peanut butter toast, oatmeal—it’s a wonderful addition tobreakfast.
- ● Garnish meals or desserts—use it in sauces, dressings, or as a topping (sticky chicken,anyone?)
- ● Due to its natural blend of sugars (particularly fructose and glucose), it makes a greatpre-workout snack! Fructose is slowly absorbed in the body, providing sustained energy.Meanwhile, glucose provides an immediate boost.
- ● It can also be used to sweeten cold beverages and is delightful in iced tea andsmoothies.
- It’s tempting to add Mānuka honey to all your recipes, but it’s best to avoid cooking with Mānuka honey. The valuable nutrients present in the honey break down at temperatures over 120-140 degrees Fahrenheit or 48-60 degrees Celsius. Thus, you want to ensure your Mānuka honey doesn’t stay above these temperatures for very long so that you can gain all those valuable health benefits. For tea or coffee, allow your beverage to slightly cool before adding your add Mānuka honey!
FAQs About Mānuka Honey
To learn even more about this premium honey, here are the answers to some frequently asked questions.
What is the difference between regular honey and Mānuka honey?
Answer: Mānuka honey contains higher levels of MGO, which gives it unique antibacterial properties.
Can I use Mānuka honey every day?
Answer: Yes, Mānuka honey is safe for daily consumption. It’s often recommended to enjoy it by the heaping teaspoon one to a few times a day.
How much Mānuka honey should I have each day?
Answer: One heaping teaspoon is plenty in the morning. However, for additional support during your day, you can reach for another one to two heaping teaspoons. At the same time, make sure you account for your total sugar intake per day when considering your Mānuka honey daily use and consumption.
Is Mānuka honey suitable for children?
Answer: Children over 12 months old can safely consume Mānuka honey, but like all honey, it should be avoided for infants due to the risk of botulism.
Is Mānuka honey safe if you’re pregnant?
Answer: Pregnant ladies can safely consume Mānuka honey (1-2 teaspoons daily) if their blood sugar levels are normal.
Can I cook with Mānuka honey?
Answer: The nutrients in Mānuka honey break down at temperatures over 40 degrees Celsius or 104 degrees Fahrenheit, so it is best to add it to sauces or dressings away from the stovetop.
Does Mānuka honey help head colds?
Answer: The beneficial nutrients in Mānuka honey, like the MGO and antioxidants, naturally support your immune response, making it a smart addition to your cold or flu treatment plan.
Buy Mānuka Honey at Mother’s Market
The best way to learn more about Mānuka honey’s benefits is to give it a try for yourself.
You can buy Manukora’s Mānuka honey at Mother’s Market. Here, you can find jars, squeeze bottles, and stick packets of Manukora’s MGO 50+, MGO 200+, and MGO 600+ Mānuka honey. Make a choice based on your personal wellness goals—you won’t be disappointed. Remember, the greater the MGO rating, the greater the nutritional benefits.
You can find out more about Manukora’s Mānuka honey, their commitment to authenticity, and fun ways to enjoy Mānuka honey here.
References
- Matthew Johnston, Michael McBride, Divakar Dahiya, Richard Owusu-Apenten, Poonam Singh Nigam (2018 Nov 27) Antibacterial activity of Mānuka honey and its components: An overview. Available from: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31294240/ PMID: 31294240 PMCID: PMC6613335 DOI: 10.3934/microbiol.2018.4.655
- Francisco Guarner, Juan-R Malagelada (2003 Feb 8) Gut flora in health and disease. Available from: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/12583961/ PMID: 12583961 DOI: 10.1016/S0140-6736(03)12489-0