Manuka honey is a special honey that honey bees that pollinate the manuka tree produce. It is a potent antiseptic and has great wound healing powers, its advocates state. What are its uses and nutritional value? What are the claimed health benefits?
Manuka honey
This is a special kind of honey from Australia and New Zealand. The manuka tree is native of these countries. The scientific name of this tree is Leptospermum scoparium. When European honey bees or Apis mellifera or Western honey bees forage on this tree, they use its nectar and also pollinate it. The honey that comes from these honey bees is called manuka honey.
Manuka honey (Source: Cleveland Clinic health essentials)Advocates of this honey claim that it has great healing powers and has strong antimicrobial action. This is due to the presence in it of higher concentrations of the compound methylglyoxal (MGO). This honey is also more viscous compared to the regular honey. A special protein or colloid present in this honey imparts the elevated viscosity to it and is its main physical characteristic. This honey is also dark cream or dark brown in color.
The honey has a strong flavor. People describe variously as earthy, oily or herbaceous. Some also state it as florid, rich, and complex. This honey is edible and also a medicine.
Nutritional value
1 teaspoon of this honey is equal to 21 g. This has 70 calories with zero fats and proteins. Total carbs in this are 17 grams and out of this 15 grams are sugars. Most of the sugar is in the form of fructose and glucose. Sodium is just 1 mg. It has small amounts of vitamin B6, B12, D, and C. As per USDA website, water content of this honey is 3.59 grams. There is negligible fiber in it. Potassium is 10.9 mg and there is some calcium, iron, phosphorus, magnesium, zinc, copper, manganese, selenium, and fluoride in it.
Manuka honey (Source: Americas restaurant)Like other forms of honey, manuka honey has more of sugars and carbs and is sweet to taste. It can enhance blood sugar levels of diabetics.
Health benefits
The honey is marketed as a potent antibacterial. Studies are on to study the effect of MGO against E.coli and S.aureus. In the present era, bacterial resistance to several antibiotics is an issue. This honey acts against all types of bacteria including those that are resistant to the conventional antibiotics in use currently.
Manuka honey (Source: Cooking Lite)It is said that it can cure sore throat as well as acne and other skin blemishes and infections. There are claims that this honey can help in rapid healing of cuts and wounds. It can clear infections rapidly and effectively with no side effects. It can be a great remedy for atopic dermatitis and eczema lesions.
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Manuka honey is an instant source of energy. It boosts the immune system and helps the body in fighting the various infections. Moreover, it eases digestion and improves gut health. The honey can also help in relief of gut infections and stomach pains.
But diabetics need to be careful before consuming it because it could upset their blood sugar control. Consulting a physician before consumption would be advisable.