Benefits of Manuka Honey

Benefits of Manuka Honey

Benefits of Manuka Honey

Manuka honey is a special type of honey that is made when bees pollinate the Manuka bush. This bush is commonly found in New Zealand. While all honey makes a great sweetener and has significant health benefits, Manuka honey is often seen as the healthiest and most beneficial. This particular type of honey isn’t available at all supermarkets, so you may have to go to a health food store or a specialty shop if you want to buy it in person.

What is Special About Manuka Honey?

Manuka honey has a different nutritional profile than other types of honey. This means you will be getting many different nutrients when consuming it. Even the nutrients that are common to many types of honey are found in concentrations as much as four times higher when it is from the Manuka bush. So, by adding this type of honey to your diet, you will be getting nutrients including B6, thiamin, niacin, riboflavin, pantothenic honey, calcium, copper, iron, magnesium, manganese, phosphorus, potassium, sodium, zinc, and a number of amino acids. This combination provides those who enjoy it with some very impressive health benefits.

Fighting Acid Reflux

Manuka honey is great for fighting many types of bacteria. This includes a particularly dangerous bacteria called Clostridium difficult, which is in part responsible for acid reflux, among other conditions. A study found that Manuka honey is very effective at fighting this particular type of bacteria. Anyone who suffers from acid reflux should consider consuming this kind of honey on a regular basis to help to beat back the harmful bacteria that causes it. In addition to acid reflux, this type of bacteria causes low stomach acid and small intestine bacterial overgrowth, two other harmful conditions that can be treated with this honey.

Beneficial for Sleep

If you have trouble getting to sleep or staying asleep, Manuka honey may be very helpful. The honey contains glycogen, which is released slowly into the body. This is essential for getting deep sleep. Honey can also help the body to release melatonin, which tells the body to feel tired and fall asleep. Of course, getting enough sleep is essential for overall health as well.

Possibly Prevents Allergies

While the scientific studies are inconclusive, there is an overwhelming amount of anecdotal evidence that suggests that consuming honey is an excellent way to combat allergies. Most people recommend choosing locally made honey for this, but Manuka honey has also been seen to have positive benefits in this area. This is particularly the case for people who are allergic to plant pollen, which is one of the most common outdoor allergies.

Ideal for Sore Throats

Sore throats are caused by different types of Strep bacteria in most cases. While they typically don’t get to be serious problems, getting rid of that bacteria naturally is an excellent way to eliminate a sore throat and promote improved health. A study conducted in 2011 found that people with sore throats reported almost immediate relief when they took just a spoonful of honey. The antibacterial properties of Manuka honey are superior to that of most other types of honey, so people should expect even better results when using it. In addition to being used to get rid of existing throat issues, some individuals who are particularly susceptible to sore throats will take this type of honey daily to prevent them from occurring.

Promoting Bowel Health

Those with irritable bowel syndrome or inflammatory bowel disease know that these conditions can be very dangerous. What they may not realize, however, is that Manuka honey has the potential to offer them relief in many cases. A study on rats was conducted and found that this particular type of honey provided many significant benefits. The rats who were given this kind of honey experienced significantly reduced colonic damage related to bowel problems. All rats who received the honey also showed reduced inflammation in the colon, and improved lipid peroxidation. Across just about every measurement that was taken, those with the honey had significantly better results. Human studies should be done, but with this type of thing, there is no reason to think that the benefits won’t apply to people too.

Beneficial for Oral Health

Many people believe that honey will be bad for their teeth, gums, and mouth because honey has high sugar content. According to studies, however, the opposite is true. People who ate Manuka honey showed a 35% decrease in plaque in their mouth. This led to a corresponding 35% reduction in gum bleeding, which is a sign that it helps treat gingivitis.

Helps to Treat Burns & Wounds

If you have been burned or experienced a wound, applying Manuka honey can contribute to reducing the risk of infection and facilitate faster healing according to an article that was published on the subject. Applying it to the wound not only keeps the area free from contaminants but acts as both an antibacterial and an anti-inflammatory agent, both of which are critical for healing. The honey can be applied directly to the wound and covered with a bandage for great results.

Watch Out for Bee Allergies

One important warning that everyone should be aware of is that some people who are allergic to bee stings also report having an intolerance to honey. While this is not the case with everyone, it is certainly something that people should be aware of, and take precautions. Bee sting allergies can be severe, so it is best to be certain that honey won’t trigger a reaction before consuming it.

Easy to Add to Your Diet

If you do want to add Manuka honey to your diet, it is extremely simple. This honey can be mixed into your tea or coffee as a sweetener, stirred into warm milk before bed, or even just eaten raw. Honey is extremely versatile and maintains its significant health benefits no matter how it is consumed. Adding just a spoonful to your diet per day can help you enjoy all the great benefits listed above.
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