Best Manuka Honey – New Zealand

Tag: cholesterol levels

  • Manuka Honey for Cholesterol: Potential Benefits and Tips for Use

    Manuka Honey for Cholesterol: Potential Benefits and Tips for Use

    Table of Contents

    Introduction

    Manuka honey has been gaining popularity for its potential health benefits. A recent study conducted by researchers at the University of Toronto has found that honey, especially raw honey sourced from a single floral source, can improve key measures of cardiometabolic health. This includes blood sugar and cholesterol levels. In this article, we will explore the findings of this study and discuss the role of manuka honey in managing cholesterol levels.

    What is Manuka Honey?

    Manuka honey is a type of honey that is produced by bees that collect nectar from the Manuka bush, also known as Leptospermum scoparium. This bush is native to New Zealand and Australia. Manuka honey is known for its unique properties, including a high concentration of methylglyoxal (MGO), which is believed to contribute to its medicinal properties.

    Cholesterol is a waxy substance that is found in the blood. It is an important component of cell membranes and plays a crucial role in hormone synthesis. However, high levels of cholesterol can lead to the build-up of plaque in the arteries, increasing the risk of heart disease and stroke.

    Several studies have suggested that manuka honey may have cholesterol-lowering effects. The University of Toronto study aimed to investigate this further by examining the impact of manuka honey on key measures of cardiometabolic health, including blood sugar and cholesterol levels. The researchers found that honey, particularly raw honey sourced from a single floral source, significantly improved these measures.

    The Role of Raw Honey

    Raw honey is honey that has not undergone any processing or pasteurization. It is extracted directly from the honeycomb and retains all its natural enzymes, antioxidants, and nutrients. Raw honey is believed to have stronger health benefits compared to processed honey.

    The University of Toronto study highlighted the importance of raw honey in managing cholesterol levels. The researchers found that raw honey sourced from a single floral source had a greater impact on improving cholesterol levels compared to processed honey. This suggests that the natural enzymes and compounds present in raw honey may play a significant role in its cholesterol-lowering effects.

    How Does Manuka Honey Lower Cholesterol?

    The exact mechanism through which manuka honey lowers cholesterol is still not fully understood. However, several theories have been proposed. One possible explanation is that manuka honey may inhibit the enzymes responsible for cholesterol synthesis in the liver. This can result in lower cholesterol levels in the blood.

    Another theory suggests that manuka honey may increase the excretion of cholesterol through bile. Bile is a substance produced by the liver that aids in the digestion and absorption of dietary fats, including cholesterol. By increasing the excretion of cholesterol through bile, manuka honey may help in reducing cholesterol levels in the blood.

    Other Health Benefits of Manuka Honey

    In addition to its potential cholesterol-lowering effects, manuka honey has been associated with numerous other health benefits. These include:

    • Antimicrobial Properties: Manuka honey has strong antibacterial properties and may help in fighting against various pathogens, including antibiotic-resistant bacteria.
    • Wound Healing: Manuka honey has been used for centuries to aid in wound healing. It has been shown to promote tissue regeneration and prevent infection.
    • Digestive Health: Manuka honey may help in improving digestive health by soothing the digestive tract and reducing inflammation.
    • Anti-Inflammatory Effects: Manuka honey has been found to have anti-inflammatory properties, which may help in reducing inflammation in the body.
    • Immune Support: Manuka honey has immune-boosting properties and may help in supporting overall immune function.

    Incorporating Manuka Honey into Your Diet

    If you are interested in incorporating manuka honey into your diet for its potential cholesterol-lowering effects, here are a few tips to keep in mind:

    1. Choose Raw and Single Floral Source Honey: Opt for raw manuka honey sourced from a single floral source. This ensures that you are getting the maximum amount of natural enzymes and compounds.

    2. Start with Small Amounts: When starting to consume manuka honey, start with small amounts and gradually increase the dosage. This can help your body adjust to the honey and minimize any potential side effects.

    3. Consult with a Healthcare Professional: If you have any underlying health conditions or are taking medications, it is important to consult with a healthcare professional before incorporating manuka honey into your diet. They can provide personalized advice based on your specific needs.

    4. Use as a Natural Sweetener: Manuka honey can be used as a natural sweetener in various recipes, such as smoothies, oatmeal, or homemade salad dressings. However, it is important to note that honey is still a source of calories and should be consumed in moderation as part of a balanced diet.

    Conclusion

    Manuka honey, especially raw honey sourced from a single floral source, has been found to improve key measures of cardiometabolic health, including blood sugar and cholesterol levels. While more research is needed to fully understand the mechanisms behind these effects, incorporating manuka honey into your diet may provide potential benefits for managing cholesterol levels. However, it is important to remember that manuka honey should be consumed in moderation as part of a balanced diet, and consulting with a healthcare professional is recommended, particularly if you have any underlying health conditions or are taking medications.

    For more information on manuka honey and its potential health benefits, you can visit https://aboutmanukahoney.com. They provide comprehensive information and resources on manuka honey and its various uses.

  • 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.