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Why eat Manuka Honey UMF®? Benefits?

Manuka Honey Benefits -Superfood

Manuka honey is a mono floral honey produced in New Zealand by bees that pollinate the native Mānuka bush. Mānuka honey has natural antibacterial qualities that boosts the immune system when consumed daily. Applied externally, it treats wound infections and other conditions.

This is why people eat manuka honey daily for good health.

Manuka Honey Healing
Manuka Honey Healing

Healing Power of Manuka Honey
Since ancient times, honey has been used to treat multiple conditions. It wasn’t until the late 19th century that researchers discovered that honey has natural antibacterial qualities. Honey protects against damage caused by bacteria. Some honey also stimulates production of special cells that can repair tissue damaged by infection. In addition, honey has an anti-inflammatory action that can quickly reduce pain and inflammation.

But not all honey is the same. The antibacterial quality of honey depends on the type of honey as well as when and how it’s harvested. Some kinds of honey, such as Manuka honey may be 100 times more potent than others.

Studies on the Manuka Honey benefits have shown that Manuka Honey, a special type of mono-floral honey contains an ingredient with powerful antibacterial, anti microbial, antiviral, antioxidant, antiseptic, anti-inflammatory and anti fungal properties. This ingredient was originally named UMF®.

“Scientists uncover key to Manuka Honey’s benefits”

This is the title of an article in The New Zealand Herald on July 3rd 2007, bringing the news that the UMF ingredient studied by scientists for over 15 years was identified as Methylglyoxal (MGO™) by a team a researchers from Dresden, Germany, led by Professor Dr. Thomas Henle, head of the Institute of Food Chemistry at the Technical University of Dresden.
Professor Henle refers to the results of the study as it ” unambiguously demonstrates for the first time that Methylglyoxal is directly responsible for the antibacterial activity of Manuka honey.” He also notes that the high amounts of Methylglyoxal found in Manuka honey were not found in any other food.

Methylglyoxal occurs in all types of honey, however the concentration level is normally between 1 and 10 mg/kg.
What makes Manuka honey extremely potent is the level of Methylglyoxal of between 100 and 1000mg/kg.

The higher the concentration of Methylglyoxal the stronger the antibacterial quality of Manuka honeys and the higher the Manuka Honey benefits are. A Methylglyoxal level of 400 mg/kg and higher in the Manuka honey gives it the power to destroy a very large number of destructive microorganisms, viruses and bacteria.

Natural Health
Here are some of the best results of Methylglyoxal mg/kg level found in other foods:
Yogurt less than 2mg/kg
Cheese                            4-11 mg/kg
Wine                            less than 2 mg/kg
Coffee                            23-47 mg/kg
Other honeys                            0-10 mg/kg

Components of Manuka Honey

Hydrogen peroxide is a component of honey. It gives most honey its antibiotic quality. But some types of honey, including manuka honey, also have other components with antibacterial qualities.

Another antibacterial component in manuka honey is methylglyoxal (MG). MG is a compound found in most types of honey, but usually only in small quantities.

In manuka honey, MG comes from the conversion of another compound — dihydroxyacetone — that is found in high concentration in the nectar of manuka flowers. MG is thought to give manuka honey some of its antibacterial power. The higher the concentration of MG, the stronger the antibiotic effect. But, there may also be other compounds involved in the medicinal effect of manuka honey.

Honey producers have developed a scale for rating the potency of manuka honey. The rating is called UMF, which stands for Unique Manuka Factor.

The UMF rating is thought to correspond with the concentration of MG and other compounds. Not all honey labeled as manuka honey contains significant levels of antibacterial factors. To be considered potent enough to be therapeutic, manuka honey needs a minimum rating of 10 UMF. Honey at or above that level is marketed as “UMF Manuka Honey”.

 

What the Science Says About Manuka Honey

Several recent studies show manuka honey is effective in fighting infection and promoting healing.

The Natural Medicines Comprehensive Database lists honey as being “possibly effective” to treat burns and wounds. The Cochrane Review notes that honey may shorten healing times in mild burns compared with traditional dressings.

Another recent study suggests that manuka honey may be effective in preventing gingivitis and other periodontal disease by reducing the buildup of plaque. And in 2010, the scientific steering committee of the National Cancer Institute approved a proposal for the use of manuka honey for the reduction of inflammation of the esophagus associated with chemotherapy.

Another possible benefit of honey is that, unlike antibiotics, it has not been reported to cause development of resistant bacteria. These so-called “superbugs” develop after repeated exposure to common antibiotics. They require special antibiotics to treat them.

Take 2 – 3 tablespoon of manuka honey UMF daily to maintain a strong immune system.

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