Manuka Honey and Detoxification | 5 Proven Ways it Can Help
With pollution and environmental toxicity at an all-time high, using proven detoxification strategies is an absolute must. Although there are many superfoods that can help aid in the detoxification process, there is one in particular that is extremely effective and that is Manuka Honey.
Raw Manuka honey is unlike any other honey on this planet. Its antimicrobial, gut healing, and detoxifying properties are unsurpassed. This superfood is in a class of its own when it comes to healing the body.
Natives of New Zealand prized this honey for both its medicinal and nutritive value. However, very few are aware of the powerful detoxifying properties contained within raw Manuka honey. In fact, this honey may be one of the most powerful, regenerative, and healing superfoods on the entire planet.
Below are 5 ways that Manuka honey can help detox the body
Manuka Honey Promotes Restful Sleep and Detoxification
You may be asking why restful sleep is important when it comes to detoxification and removing unwanted waste from the body. However, it’s been shown that the majority of the body’s detoxification processes occurs when we are asleep (1).
It’s for this reason that taking a high quality raw Manuka Honey is extremely beneficial for those looking to increase their detoxification capabilities. In fact, raw honey has been used for centuries in order induce sleep through its hypotonic action on the body (2).
Simply consuming half a tablespoon of raw Manuka honey before with a pinch of Celtic sea salt can significantly deepen an individual’s sleep. The addition of Celtic sea salt will add extra minerals and reduce cortisol levels through its beneficial actions on the adrenal glands.
Aids the Digestive System
With small intestinal bacterial overgrowths (SIBO) at an all-time high in America, change in diet and detoxification strategies are necessary in order to correct the microbiome. Pathogenic bacteria and yeast overgrowths such as candida can cause serious physical and mental health problems.
In fact, researchers found that elderly hospital patients suffering from candida infections all showed signs of malnourishment and vitamin and mineral deficiencies (3). This is because candida species are pathogenic yeasts which compete for nutrients with its host.
Furthermore, there is research linking individuals who exhibit ADHD and depression with an overgrowth of candida albicans (4).
Luckily, raw Manuka honey has powerful antimicrobial and antifungal properties which can effectively inhibit the growth of several candida species (5). It also contains natural laxative properties which can help induce bowel movements and essentially keep the colon clean and healthy.
Protects from Liver Damage
Those looking to protect their liver from environmental toxins and pollutants should consider taking Manuka honey daily. Its powerful medicinal antioxidant properties help protect the liver from oxidative damage.
Research published in Clinics found that Manuka honey supplementation reduced the level of DNA damage and glutathione peroxidase activity in the liver. It was concluded that Manuka honey protects and reduces oxidative damage in middle-aged rats and can be used as an alternative supplement to improve oxidative status (6).
Furthermore, researchers have also found that consumption of raw honey leads to increased levels of nitric oxide in bodily fluids which reduces liver enzymes such as AST and ALT in the blood. It’s been shown that elevated levels of serum ALT and AST activities indicate liver damage (7).
As a result, Raw Manuka honey makes an excellent choice for anyone looking to detoxify and protect the function of their liver.
Prevents Growth of Cancer Cells
Manuka honey has powerful anti-cancer properties which can help protect the body from the formation of disease.
Research published in Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine found that honey has an anticancer effect through anti-inflammatory and antimutagenic pathways. It’s also been shown to modulate estrogen making it useful in estrogen dependent cancers such as breast and endometrial (8).
As mentioned before, Manuka is an excellent option for ridding the digestive system of pathogenic yeasts such as candida. Studies have shown that patients with candida infections exhibit higher risks of developing several different cancers (9).
As a result, by reducing the amount of candida in the in the body, you effectively reduce your risk of developing cancer.
Stops Cavities and Gingivitis
Bleeding gums, tooth decay, and rotting teeth has become a serious problem among the American population. These conditions have been deemed “normal” due to their routine occurrence among the general population. However, tooth conditions such as cavities and gingivitis are not normal and Dr. Weston A. Price proved this by studying the teeth of various Native Americans still following their traditional diet.
Poor diet, excessive amounts of sugar, and not enough fat soluble vitamins coming from quality animal foods are the biggest culprits of poor teeth. Also, unlike the stomach which is extremely acidic, the mouth has an extremely high PH making it the perfect breeding ground for germs and bacteria.
Studies indicate that Manuka Honey is extremely effective at treating gingivitis and periodontal disease due to its high antibacterial activity (10).
Following a diet outlined by The Weston A. Price foundation and consuming a high quality raw Manuka honey can do wonders for not only your teeth, but your overall health.
Conclusion
Those looking to increase their detoxification capabilities should definitely give raw Manuka honey a try. It’s important that you always choose a high quality raw Manuka Honey that comes directly from New Zealand.
Choosing a cheaper brand is usually not wise when purchasing Manuka honey since many of these brands have been watered down with other honeys. It’s also important that you choose a Manuka Honey with a high antibacterial activity. Manuka honeys with a kFactor or UMF of 16+ are considered to be extremely potent and pure.
As with any new superfood, it’s important to take it slow with Manuka honey in the beginning. Start with a small dose at first to see how your body will react. You can then gradually increase your dose to higher levels once your body feels comfortable with the high antibacterial properties of Manuka Honey.