The Top 10 Health Benefits of Raw Manuka Honey

No other honey on the planet can offer the same health benefits as raw Manuka honey.  This honey has been used for centuries by ancient New Zealanders and Native Americans such as the Maori.  Maori warriors would frequently use this honey in order to heal wounds faster and provide nourishment to their body.

Research has shown that raw Manuka Honey is one of the most powerful honeys on the planet and is undoubtedly one of the most studied.  The uses of this amazing superfood are endless and the health benefits are out of this world!

Below are the top 10 Health benefits of consuming a Manuka Honey Daily!

1. Manuka Honey Protects Against the Flu

Each and every year the flu becomes stronger and stronger.  Doctors and medical professionals continue to warn against the overuse of antibiotics which is essentially creating antibiotic resistant bacteria and viruses. 

Luckily, Manuka honey is one of nature’s most powerful antibiotics.  Unlike antibiotics prescribed by a doctor, Manuka honey does not disrupt the healthy gut flora in the stomach.  This is crucial because the majority of our immune system is actually dependent on the health of our microbiome (1). 

flu

The overuse of antibiotics can actually weaken your immune system overtime and disrupt the balance of gut bacteria.  This can lead to issues such as candida and small intestinal bacteria overgrowth (SIBO).

Research has shown that Manuka honey has a potent inhibitory effect against the flu virus and is a viable option for combating the flu (2).

2. Helps Fight Candida

It’s no surprise that millions of Americans are suffering from pathogenic bacteria and yeasts overgrowths such as Candida.  Poor diet and gut dsybosis are the number one reason individuals suffer from stomach issues and gut imbalances.

In fact, there is ongoing research showing that those suffering from mental health issues such as depression and anxiety, are routinely found with an overgrowth of candida (3).

However, with proper diet and the addition of raw Manuka Honey, candida overgrowths will naturally diminish.  Research published in Medical Mycology showed that honey has powerful anti-fungal properties that various candida species are susceptible to (4).

3. Normalizes Blood Sugar Levels

Those suffering from diabetes or prediabetes can be rest assured that Manuka honey is a safe option that will not spike blood sugar levels.  The balance of vitamins, minerals, and amino acids found in Manuka help nourish the body without spiking glucose levels like many other sweeteners.

In fact, honey supplementation can protect the pancreas against oxidative damage and enhance insulin secretion which results in improved glycemic control (5).

If you’re suffering from blood sugar issues, it’s important that you start with an extremely small dose of Manuka in the beginning.  This will give you an idea of how your body will respond.

4. Helps with Constipation

Constipation happens to the best of us from time to time, but chronic constipation is a sign of a serious problem in regards to diet.  Typically, including more “roughage” in the diet will relieve symptoms of constipation within a day. 

However, some may still need extra support for inducing a bowel movement.  Luckily, Manuka honey has powerful laxative properties which can help relieve constipation (6). 

constipation

Simply, mix 1-2 teaspoons in warm spring water with a ½ tsp of celtic sea salt and drink.  The sea salt will help the solution reach the colon more effectively and increase the chances of inducing a bowel movement.

5. Improves Digestion

It’s no surprise that honey improves the health of the digestive system.  In fact, honeys such as Manuka have been used for centuries in order to treat various digestive troubles.

Raw Manuka honey contains 5,000 enzymes which aid in the digestive process.  In particular, Manuka contains a powerful enzyme called amylase. Amylase helps in the breakdown of starch and is typically low in those at risk for developing insulin resistance or diabetes (7).

Chewing your food properly can also increase the amylase enzyme since it’s produced in the salivary glands of the mouth.

6. Helps Heal Wounds Faster

As mentioned before, ancient Maori warriors of New Zealand would frequently use Manuka honey to heal their wounds faster.  When applied topically, this honey can do wonders for cuts and burns that would typically take months to heal.

Honey is such a powerful wound healer, that researchers are now recommending that it be used in clinical practice due to its overall effectiveness (8)

7. Natural Sore Throat Remedy

Just like Manuka honey can combat the flu; it can also help treat a sore throat naturally.  This is because Manuka has medicinal properties which can help soothe an inflamed throat, reduce pain, and eliminate the pathogen causing the sore throat.

In fact, researchers are now finding that honey may be the preferred method for treating nighttime coughing and sleep difficulties in children due to an upper respiratory tract infection (9).

8. Improves Skin Texture

Those looking to improve the definition of their skin and improve overall skin quality should consider adding Manuka honey to their diet.  Manuka is a rich source of the amino acid proline which is necessary for collagen synthesis (10)(11).

skin texture

Those with low collagen levels are more prone to experiencing premature aging of both the skin and joints.  Premature wrinkles, joint pain, and stiffness are all common symptoms when collagen levels in the body are low.

9. Full of Essential Amino Acids

As mentioned previously, Manuka is a rich source of the amino acid proline.  However, it also contains 21 other essential amino acids that act as building blocks for the body.  These amino acids allow the body to regenerate and repair from the stresses of life.

Research studying the effects amino acid supplementation on elderly patients found that patients showed improvements in lean body mass, muscle strength, and physical function (12).

Raw Manuka honey is the perfect amino acid supplement and makes a great addition to the diet of any fitness enthusiast or health conscious individual.

10. Excellent Source of Vitamins and Minerals

Manuka is a power house of vitamins and minerals when compared to any other food.  It’s rich in the B-vitamins and contains trace minerals such as calcium, magnesium, zinc, copper, phosphorus, and potassium.

B-vitamins play an important role in mood regulation and have been shown to have antidepressant effects on the body (13).  As a result, eating a spoon full of Manuka each day can help balance mood and reduce stress levels naturally.

Conclusion

Raw Manuka honey coming from worker bees in New Zealand is a powerful natural supplement.  It’s been used for centuries for various health aliments and its uses are endless.  Those new to Manuka honey should start with a small dose first and then slowly work their way up to higher doses.  This gives the body time to adjust to this powerful superfood and stops the chances of experiencing stomach pain from taking too at one time.