What Is Manuka Honey—and Is It Really That Good for You?

Manuka honey, produced in New Zealand, has benefits like wound healing and infection treatment.

Pronounced "MAH-nooka," manuka honey is a type of honey that hails from New Zealand. It's named after the manuka bush where bees gather nectar and pollen. Afterward, the bees produce manuka honey.

You may wonder, what is manuka honey good for? Manuka honey has a few health benefits, from antibacterial properties to wound healing. It's also a versatile product with many uses in cosmetics and foods. Read on to learn more about manuka honey.

jars of honey syrup and other natural sweeteners

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1. Has Antibacterial Properties

Manuka honey is known to have antibacterial effects, meaning that it can help prevent bacteria growth or spread. Manuka honey's UMF is a measure of these effects.

UMF stands for Unique Manuka Factor, a grading system that uses a scale of 5 to 25 to gauge the antibacterial strength of each batch of honey. The higher the UMF number, the stronger manuka honey's antibacterial properties.

The UMF Honey Association oversees the grading, and the UMF is determined by levels of three compounds found naturally in manuka honey. The three compounds are:

  • DHA is a type of omega-3 fatty acid
  • Leptisperin is a nectar from the manuka bush
  • Methylglyoxal (MGO) is an antibacterial component

2. Can Assist Wound Healing

Medical-grade manuka honey may also be used to treat surface burns and wounds. That's because this honey has anti-inflammatory properties due to its antioxidant contents along with its antibacterial properties. Specifically, manuka honey contains antioxidants called flavonoids and phenolic acids.

3. May Have Antiviral Properties

Manuka honey might also be helpful for viral infections. While MGO content in manuka honey is known for antibacterial effects, it also keeps viruses from growing. However, research is still ongoing to learn more about the connection.

4. Could Play a Role in Oral Health

A small study investigated the effects of manuka honey use following periodontal therapy—a deep cleaning treatment for gum disease. One side of the participants' mouths was treated with manuka honey and hydrogen peroxide after the therapy while the other side had no treatment.

The researchers found some improvement in ligament-tooth attachment over time with the honey treatment. However, they noted that there were few participants in the study and the effects could not be attributed to just the honey.

5. Helps Soothe Cold Symptoms

Manuka honey can provide relief if you have cold symptoms like coughing or a sore throat. You can eat the honey by itself or use a manuka honey lozenge or lollipop.

Nutrition of Manuka Honey

One tablespoon of manuka honey contains the following:

Calories: 72 calories

Fat: 0 grams

Sodium: 0 milligrams

Carbohydrates: 17 grams

Added Sugars: 16 grams

Protein: 0 grams

Risks of Manuka Honey

If you want to lower your intake of added sugars, you may want to consume manuka honey in limited quantities. Some kinds of manuka honey have 17 grams of carbs in just one teaspoon, which includes 16 grams of sugar.

Additionally, people who are allergic to bees should use manuka honey with caution. Allergic reactions to honey are uncommon but possible. Any food may be a potential allergen.

How To Use Manuka Honey

There's not an official dose of manuka honey you should take. However, follow any instructions about using manuka honey that you find on its packaging.

Manuka honey can be consumed just like regular honey. You can:

  • Add it to tea or cereal as a sweetener
  • Drizzle it on desserts
  • Spread it on toast
  • Use it in smoothies

Some cosmetic products, like skincare or haircare products, may have manuka honey as an ingredient. You can also use manuka honey on your skin.

To get familiar with brands that sell certified manuka honey, head to the UMF Honey Association's website. You can also look for products that contain certified manuka honey on the same site.

Side Effects of Manuka Honey

There are benefits of manuka honey use, but it may also come with side effects such as:

  • A burning sensation when applied to the skin
  • Dehydrated tissue in people with diabetes
  • Increased blood sugar

A Quick Review

Manuka honey comes from New Zealand and has benefits such as wound healing, sore throat relief, and antibacterial properties. You can use it as a food, skincare, or haircare ingredient. Some people may need to use manuka honey with caution, as its use could result in allergic reactions, burning sensations on the skin, or high blood sugar.

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10 Sources
Health.com uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial process to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
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