Manuka honey is native to New Zealand. It is dark-brown honey produced by bees in the manuka bush by pollinating the nectar of flower leptospirosis, also known as Manuka. It is known as earthier, richer, and denser than many other kinds of honey. Along with New Zealand, the Manuka pure honey can also be found in Australia.
In addition to the excellent properties such as antibacterial, antifungal, antiviral, and antiseptic, the active chemical compounds make manuka honey superior to other honey forms. There is a range of physical as well as mental manuka honey benefits.
You can eat it as well as use it as a topical product to treat burns, wounds or acne. However, make sure that you research enough before you buy manuka honey to ensure you get the genuine product.
How to Identify Genuine Manuka Honey?
There is a grading system called Unique Manuka Factor (UMF), which represents the concentration of MGO in manuka honey. UMF is used to distinguish manuka honey based on its concentration to help customers buy the right product.
UMF 1 is considered the lowest concentration. The MGO content and scarcity level also increase as the numbers rise to 15 +, 20 +, etc. Manuka honey is divided into three groups based on the UMF factor:
- Low Grade: UMF 5 to UMF 9
- Medium Grade: UMF 10 to UMF 15
- High Grade: UMF 16+
Make sure you always check the UMF mark on the product label when you buy Manuka Honey. There will also be a rating number alongside the UMF mark to help consumers identify its grade. If you are buying from online stores, you may also have access to the lab certificates.
Now let us learn some exclusive benefits of manuka honey.
Key Manuka Honey Benefits
Looking at the list of properties that manuka honey possesses– antibacterial, antifungal, antiseptic, anti-inflammation, and antioxidant, it is apparent that it has a range of physical and mental health benefits.
Manuka honey helps wound healing, promotes oral health, prevents gastric ulcers, soothes a sore throat, boosts energy level, regularizes the digestive system and appetite, etc. Along with these general benefits, manuka honey also offers various skin health benefits and mental health benefits.
Let us learn each of these benefits in depth.
- It Aids Wound Healing
- It Improves Digestive Health
- It Soothes a Sore Throat
- It Improves Skin Health
Manuka pure honey has been proven as a powerful herb to aid wound healing. It can improve the healing process and decrease inflammation when applied to wounds or burns. The anti-inflammatory, antibacterial and antioxidant properties of honey combinedly proved to be an effective measure to propel the healing process.
Looking at these capabilities, the US Food and Drug Administration included manuka honey in the 2015 list of wound care medicines.
Manuka honey can also be an excellent choice to boost the health of the digestive system. Irritable bowel syndrome briefly referred to as IBS, is a common digestive condition in many people.
Constipation, diarrhea, gastric ulcers, abnormal pain, and irregular bowel movements are typical IBS symptoms. The anti-inflammatory and prebiotic properties of honey help induce the growth of beneficial organisms in the body and thus fight the dangerous bacterium called Clostridium difficile.
Clostridium difficile, often referred to as C. difficile, is a bacterium that causes symptoms ranging from diarrhea to life-threatening inflammation of the colon. Manuka honey improves digestive health by regulating and combating these bacteria.
Sore throat due to bacterial infection or weather change is a common disease. In such a situation, manuka honey can help provide some relief. The honey’s antiviral and antibacterial medicinal properties decrease bacterial growth and inflammation.
A 2010 research found that getting honey before sleep has a more cough-relieving effect compared to other cough suppressants.
In 2018, the new guidelines released by National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) and Public Health England (PHE), recommended using honey as the first line of treatment for people with coughs.
Manuka pure honey also offers a range of skin health benefits. It keeps the skin hydrated, supplies the skin with nutrients, preserves its elasticity, and treats acne.
In most cases, acne is a result of hormonal changes. However, inadequate nutrition, erratic work schedules, insufficient sleep, and mental stress may also cause it. It is also assumed that the antibacterial property of Manuka honey is effective against acne disease.
In addition, manuka honey’s anti-inflammatory properties can decrease the inflammation associated with acne. Different studies conducted to assess the effectiveness of honey in the treatment of skin wounds have shown that honey has some interesting scientific properties that may, plausibly, facilitate wound healing.
These are some of the significant advantages of manuka honey that have been studied to date.
The next section covers the ways to boost energy levels naturally with manuka honey.
How to Boost Energy Level Naturally With Manuka Honey?
If you are a sportsperson or an athlete, or an individual whose work involves lots of physical activities to a high degree, then manuka honey must be part of your diet. You will need rich energy foods like dried fruits or honey to support yourself during the training time or on duty.
Although there are various energy booster supplements on the market, manuka honey could be the best alternative since it is 100% natural and does not contain any adulterants that threaten your health.
Below are some of the ways to intake honey into your body system.
A. A spoonful of Honey In The Morning
Begin your day with a spoonful of manuka honey. Not only the apple but sometimes, even a spoonful of honey a day can also keep the doctor away! A regular spoon of honey contains approximately 25-35 calories and 10-15 grams of sugar. It is an excellent source of carbohydrates– the fuel for the body. But unlike regular sugar, it has a low amount of fat and does not harm your well-being.
If you want the immediate results, it is recommended that you always consume it directly in a raw form– without mixing it with other food. The natural form of the honey gets absorbed by the body quickly. In case you are not comfortable with consuming it straight, you can think about mixing it with other foods.
B. Mix The Honey Into Your Favorite Drink
You can mix it with a range of beverages and drinks, including coffee, smoothie, lemonade, tea, juices, or anything you are fond of or comfortable with. Please note that the mixing of honey in beverages will not certainly reduce the potency of manuka honey. Moreover, it will not even change the taste of the drink.
It is recommended that instead of adding sugar cubes to your drinks, which have a high amount of fat and are detrimental to your health, you should always use manuka honey, which is not harmful and, in fact, offers significant health benefits.
C. Use Manuka Honey as a Spread
Besides drinks and beverages, you can even use the honey as a spread. At breakfast, apply it to the bread or add it in between the sandwiches. You can use it as a dip with chips and snacks as well.
Make a routine that you feel yourself– your ‘tank,’ with a small amount of manuka honey wherever you go out for exercise or sports practice. The honey provides a significant quantity of carbohydrates, an essential material for the body. It provides energy and keeps your body energized.
Since there is no specific rule to consuming the manuka honey in certain ways, you can eat it in any way you find suitable. Just make sure that you take it regularly without a miss to ensure you get the maximum benefits of the manuka honey.
Summary: Manuka honey is an excellent source of carbohydrates. The unrefined sugar of honey gets easily absorbed by the body. In addition, manuka pure honey has a range of benefits, including soothing a sore throat, healing wounds, and controlling acne. It can also be used as an energy booster supplement and can be consumed in several ways, as mentioned above.
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