Best Manuka Honey – New Zealand

Category: antiviral

  • The Health Benefits of Honey: A Comprehensive Review

    The Health Benefits of Honey: A Comprehensive Review

    Table of Contents

    Introduction

    In a recent review published in https://aboutmanukahoney.com, researchers reviewed existing data on the beneficial impact of honey consumption on human health. Honey, a natural product made by honey bees (Apis mellifera), is a nutritious, healthful food component with a widely diverse composition that depends on the botanic or geographic location.

    Composition of Honey

    Honey is primarily composed of various sugars (80.0% to 85.0%), proteins (0.10% to 0.40%), and water (15.0% to 17.0%); however, it also comprises organic acids, enzymes, minerals, phenolic compounds, and vitamins, all of which contribute significantly to its functional and sensory properties.

    Health Benefits of Honey

    Honey consumption has been related to anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, antiviral, and antibacterial effects, which have led to an increase in the popularity of this food component. In the present review, researchers describe the health benefits of consuming honey for humans.

    Clinical Trials Analyzed

    In total, 48 clinical trials, including 3,655 individuals with a mean age of 30 years, published in English on the Web of Science and Pubmed databases from 1985 to 2022, were analyzed. The studies, including humans, intervened with different types of honey, topical or oral, not combined with other substances, compared to other honey types or sugar sweeteners, concerning the impact on anticancer, cardiovascular, antimicrobial, antidiabetic, antiviral, antioxidant, and anti-obesity outcomes. Reviews, studies published in non-English languages, studies lacking controls, and those without fully accessible data were excluded from the analysis. After the initial selection, the titles and abstracts were screened, followed by full-text screening and duplicate removal, and the quality of the eligible studies was assessed using the PEDro scale.

    Phenolic Components of Honey

    Honey’s favorable benefits on human well-being have been linked to its high phenolic component concentration. Examples of phenolic acids in honey are syringic acid, hydroxybenzoic acid, protocatechuic acid, gallic acid, vanillic acid, mandelic acid, pheylacetic acid, homogentistic acid, cinnamic acid, coumaric acid, ferulic acid, and rosamarinic acid. Honey also contains flavonoids such as pinocembrin, naringenin, chrysin, luteolin, kaempferol, quercetin, myricetin, and isorhamnetin.

    Specific Health Benefits of Honey Consumption

    Among healthy individuals, 70g daily of natural and unprocessed honey consumed over a month, compared to sucrose, decreased triglyceride (TG), total cholesterol (TC), low-density lipoprotein (LDL), and fasting blood glucose (FBG) levels and increased high-density lipoprotein (HDL) levels. Among obese individuals, similar results were obtained, and in addition, C-reactive protein (CRP), body weight (BW), body fat (BF), and body mass index (BMI) were reduced.

    Effects of Different Types of Honey

    Forest-thyme-type honey, 15 g daily, consumed over six months, increased oral glucose tolerance (OGT) levels compared to marmalade. Gold honey of Denmark (from various geographical locations and floral sources), 50 g daily, reduced FBG and FBI levels over two weeks compared to sucrose. Among postmenopausal and diabetic women, Tualang honey provided by the Federal Agricultural Marketing Authorities (FAMA) of Malaysia, consumed in a 20-g daily dose for a year, increased waist circumference (WC) and decreased systolic blood pressure (SBP) as well as diastolic blood pressure (DBP) levels. Among type 2 diabetics, Natural honey from Iran consumed over 8.0 weeks reduced FBG and BW but increased glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c) levels. Among type 1 diabetes patients, unprocessed-type clover honey from Egypt (0.50 mL/kg/day) consumed in two 12-week intervention periods reduced HbA1c as well as FBG values, in addition to reducing subscapular skin fold thickness (SSFT), midarm circumference (MC), triceps skin fold thickness (TSFT), TG, TC, and LDL levels. Among individuals with hyperlipidemia, 75 g daily of natural honey consumed over 15 days lowered TC, LDL, and CRP levels. In comparison to fructose, 75 g of Basswood honey or natural honey lowered the area under the concentration-time curve (AUC) for glucose and prevented increases in blood glucose levels (BGL), blood insulin levels (BIL), and C-peptide levels. Pure clover honey and Iranian natural honey reduced energy intake from proteins and fats, whereas increased energy was obtained from carbohydrate intake. In addition, clover honey increased post-prandial insulin and leptin levels, increased satiety rates and thermogenesis, and decreased post-prandial glucose and ghrelin levels.

    Other Health Benefits

    Freshly harvested Nigerian citrus (C. medica) honey from the delta region of the river Niger can decrease alcohol blood alcohol clearance rates and the time and extent of intoxication, but it can also increase TG levels and blood pressure. Among head and neck cancer patients, honey types such as natural Iranian Baran-Baghro honey, thyme honey, Western Ghats Forest honey, Malaysian tea plant honey, and active manuka honey can reduce mucositis severity. Honey mouthwashes or rinse-and-swallow applications can also decrease Candida colonization, oral dryness, and dysphagia. Honey can improve neutrophil and thrombocyte counts and hemoglobin levels among neutropenic patients. Among children with febrile neutropenia, 2.50 g/kg twice weekly reduced the number of hospitalized patients, the duration of hospital stay, and improved hemoglobin levels. Honey use (Buckwheat honey, Iranian natural honey, Eucalyptus, citrus, or Labiatae honey, Nairobi dark honey, Acacia honey, Kimia honey, and Golha honey) can also lower cough frequency and severity and improve sleep quality. Honey intake can lower bacterial gastroenteritis recovery time, reduce dental plaque, reduce candidal inflammation, discharge, and related itching, and improve wound healing. Among patients with diabetic foot ulcers, clover honey application can reduce the size, grade, and stage of ulcers. Among individuals with blepharitis, manuka honey use can reduce the microbial burden and dry eye symptomatology and improve tear film and ocular surface quality. Buckwheat honey can improve plasma phenolic concentration and antioxidant capacity among healthy individuals.

    Conclusion

    To summarize, based on the review findings, honey use could lower TC, TG, and LDL levels, increase HDL levels, prevent increases in BGL and BIL, lower alcohol intoxication time, reduce mucositis severity, reduce cough frequency and severity, and improve sleep quality and wound healing.

    References:

    • Palma-Morales, M., Huertas, J. and Rodríguez-Pérez, C. (2023) “A Comprehensive Review of the Effect of Honey on Human Health”, https://aboutmanukahoney.com, 15(13), p. 3056. Link.
  • Manuka Honey Testing: Implications for Consumers, Distributors, and Retailers

    Manuka Honey Testing: Implications for Consumers, Distributors, and Retailers

    Table of Contents

    Introduction

    In recent years, the popularity and demand for Manuka honey has skyrocketed. This unique type of honey, produced in New Zealand from the nectar of the Manuka tree, is praised for its numerous health benefits and healing properties.

    However, a recent study conducted by the Unique Manuka Factor Honey Association (UMFHA) has raised concerns about the authenticity of some Manuka honey products on the market. The study tested 41 different brands of non-New Zealand sourced Manuka honey and found that all of them failed to meet the New Zealand Government Manuka honey identification test.

    What is Manuka Honey?

    Manuka honey is a special type of honey that is produced in New Zealand from the nectar of the Manuka tree. The Manuka tree, also known as Leptospermum scoparium, is native to New Zealand and produces a unique type of honey with exceptional medicinal properties.

    Manuka honey is known for its antibacterial, antiviral, and anti-inflammatory properties, making it a popular choice for treating a wide range of health conditions. It is often used to treat wounds, soothe sore throats, improve digestion, and boost the immune system.

    The Importance of Authenticity

    The UMFHA study found that all 41 brands of non-New Zealand sourced Manuka honey failed to meet the New Zealand Government Manuka honey identification test. This means that these products are not authentic Manuka honey and may not possess the same health benefits as genuine New Zealand Manuka honey.

    The UMFHA has expressed concerns that consumers may be misled into buying these imitation honeys under the impression that they have the same potential health benefits as genuine New Zealand Manuka honey.

    To ensure that you are purchasing genuine New Zealand Manuka honey, it is important to look for the UMF trademark on the label. This trademark indicates that the product has passed the stringent quality, grading, and rating tests conducted by the UMFHA.

    The Manuka Honey Testing Process

    The UMFHA used a certified independent lab to conduct the testing of the 41 brands of non-New Zealand sourced Manuka honey. The lab applied a strict framework of identifying markers to determine whether the honeys were authentic Manuka honey.

    The tests carried out by the lab proved that none of the honey samples were produced from nectar sourced from New Zealand’s native Manuka tree. This means that these products do not meet the criteria to be classified as genuine New Zealand Manuka honey.

    Implications for Consumers, Distributors, and Retailers

    The UMFHA’s findings have significant implications for consumers, distributors, and retailers. With all 41 brands of non-New Zealand sourced Manuka honey being found to be non-authentic, it is clear that these products are misleading consumers by passing themselves off as authentic Manuka honey.

    Consumers who purchase these imitation honeys may not be receiving the same health benefits as they would from genuine New Zealand Manuka honey. This is a cause for concern, as many people rely on the medicinal properties of Manuka honey to improve their health and well-being.

    Distributors and retailers who are selling these non-authentic Manuka honey products may also face backlash from consumers who feel deceived and misled. It is important for distributors and retailers to ensure that the products they are selling are genuine and of high quality.

    Conclusion

    In conclusion, the recent study by the UMFHA has shed light on the issue of non-authentic Manuka honey on the market. The study found that all 41 brands of non-New Zealand sourced Manuka honey failed to meet the New Zealand Government Manuka honey identification test.

    Consumers, distributors, and retailers should be aware of the implications of purchasing and selling these non-authentic Manuka honey products. It is crucial to look for the UMF trademark on the label to ensure that the product is genuine New Zealand Manuka honey. By doing so, consumers can have confidence in the quality and health benefits of the honey they are purchasing.

    By raising awareness about the issue of non-authentic Manuka honey, the UMFHA hopes to protect consumers and maintain the integrity of genuine New Zealand Manuka honey. It is important for consumers to make informed choices and support reputable brands that adhere to strict quality standards.

    For more information on this issue, you can read the full story on https://aboutmanukahoney.com.