Many people enjoy honey for its sweetness and versatility. But did you know some honeys, particularly New Zealand Manuka honey, offer potential health benefits beyond just taste? This article explores the purported liver-supporting properties of Manuka honey, examining the scientific evidence and highlighting its unique qualities. We'll also explore what makes New Zealand Manuka honey stand out.
Benefits of manuka honey :
While more research is needed to definitively confirm the liver-supporting properties of Manuka honey, some studies suggest promising possibilities ([1, 2] . These studies explore how Manuka honey enhances the sensitivity of HepG2 and hepatocellular carcinoma cells and provide insights into the therapeutic potential of honey, including Manuka honey, against hepatotoxicity and renal toxicity. The unique chemical composition of Manuka honey, particularly its high concentration of methylglyoxal (MGO), is believed to be a key factor. MGO is a naturally occurring compound with potent antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties. These properties could help protect the liver from damage caused by inflammation or infection.
MORE THAN JUST A STICKY SUBSTITUTE FOR SUGAR, THERE ARE SEVERAL LIVER-RELATED REASONS THAT MANUKA HONEY IS THE PREFERRED SWEETENER.
What Makes New Zealand Manuka Honey Unique?
New Zealand's unique environment and the Leptospermum scoparium (Manuka) bush contribute to the distinctive properties of Manuka honey. The high MGO levels found in many New Zealand Manuka honey are not typically found in other types of honey. This high MGO content is often cited as a reason for its purported health benefits. The grading system used for New Zealand Manuka honey, based on MGO levels, helps consumers identify high-quality products. Understandably, those with certain health conditions are advised to avoid or limit their honey intake. Still, this natural liquid is one of the few sweeteners that can support the liver’s well-being.
Honey’s Origins
The process of creating manuka honey is nothing short of amazing. The following sequential events describe Honey’s creation:
It all begins when bees feast on flowers’ nectar. The nectar collected by the bees mixes with special enzymes in their saliva, turning the flowers’ juices into honey.
The bees carry this honey back to their hive, depositing it into the cells of the hive’s walls.
The fluttering of the bees’ wings provides the necessary ventilation to reduce the moisture content of the honey, making it ready for consumption. About 60,000 bees in a beehive may collectively travel as much as 55,000 miles and visit more than two million flowers to gather enough nectar to make just a pound of honey.
Honey’s Nutritional Profile
Despite its simplicity, manuka honey contains a fascinating complex of natural sugars, trace enzymes, antioxidants, minerals, vitamins and amino acids. Manuka honey’s composition is roughly:
17.1 per cent water
82.4 per cent of total carbohydrates
.5 per cent proteins, amino acids, vitamins and minerals
Honey’s average carbohydrate content is:
38.5 percent fructose 31 per cent glucose 12.9 percent maltose, sucrose and other sugars
Just as the colour and flavour of honey vary by floral source, so does the vitamin, mineral, antioxidant and amino acid content. Vitamins may include:
Niacin
Riboflavin Pantothenic acid
Minerals may include:
Calcium
Copper
Iron
Magnesium
Manganese
Phosphorus
Potassium
Zinc
Besides sugars, vitamins, and minerals, honey is loaded with polyphenols that act as antioxidants—substances that neutralize harmful free radicals in the body. Free radicals are formed through normal metabolic processes and are known to worsen many diseases, including chronic liver disease. The antioxidant content of different types of honey can vary up to 20-fold.
Totika Nature Active New Zealand Manuka Honey: A Quality Choice
Totika Nature Active New Zealand Manuka honey is a brand that prioritises quality and authenticity.Its commitment to sustainable practices and strict quality control measures ensures that its honey meets high standards of purity and potency. This commitment to quality is reflected in its products, offering consumers a reliable and trustworthy option when seeking the potential benefits of New Zealand Manuka honey.
Potential Liver Benefits
Manuka honey has been associated with improved liver health and a reduced risk of liver disease.
Blood Sugar Control
In specific individuals, honey may help promote better blood sugar control – which is desirable for those in danger of fatty liver disease. A nearly 1:1 ratio of fructose to glucose appears responsible for honey’s role of providing adequate glycogen storage in liver cells. Insufficient glycogen storage in the liver causes a release of stress hormones, which, over time, impairs glucose metabolism. Impaired glucose metabolism inevitably leads to insulin resistance and can be at the root of fatty liver disease.
Good Bacteria –
The digestive system hosts friendly bacteria, which are crucial for healthy digestion. Raw honey has been documented to contain six species of lactobacilli and four species of bifidobacteria, proving to be a rich source of good bacteria. Researchers believe that liver injury often correlates with an imbalance of gut bacteria, and the liver is more resistant to damage when good bacteria levels are high.
Antioxidant Power –
Known to contain polyphenols, a type of antioxidant, honey is a respected source of antioxidants. While several trials have demonstrated honey’s antioxidant power, a 2013 published study paired honey and silymarin (the active ingredient in milk thistle) to evaluate their combined ability to protect against liver injury. Their findings confirmed that both honey and silymarin protected cells from oxidative stress. In addition to vigorous antioxidant activity, manuka honey exhibited a significant lipid-lowering effect. Protecting against oxidative stress prevents liver cell damage, and lowering lipid levels helps ward off fat accumulation in the liver.
Honey’s Not-So-Sweet Side
For its sweetness, manuka honey harbours more health benefits than most of us realise; however, it is not a panacea for wellness. Remember, honey is predominantly sugar – a substance known to lead to various health problems. The following will help guide you towards the appropriate use of honey:
Allergy –
Some individuals might be allergic to honey, especially if there is an allergy to bee stings.
Infants –
Babies under one year of age are advised to avoid honey because it can be contaminated with the spores of the bacteria Clostridium. This pathogen may cause botulism in those with immature digestive systems.
Obese or Diabetic –
Because of its high content of fructose and glucose, consumption of manuka honey could aggravate health conditions such as obesity or diabetes.
If you’re healthy and active and don’t need to lose weight, then having a little bit of honey is unlikely to cause harm – as long as it’s consumed in moderation. Because of its unique composition of fructose and glucose, its complex nutritional profile and noted health benefits that include liver protection, manuka honey is one of the best choices someone with liver concerns can make to satisfy their sweet tooth.
References:
[1]. Title: Manuka honey enhanced sensitivity of HepG2, hepatocellular carcinoma cells, for Doxorubicin and induced apoptosis through inhibition of Wnt/β-catenin and ERK1/2. Authors: Heba R. Al Refaey, et al. Biological Research volume 54, Article number: 16 (2021)
[2]. Title: Therapeutic Potential of Honey Against Hepatotoxicity and Renal Toxicity: Insight into Its Mechanisms of Action. Authors: Subramani Srinivasan et al. Chapter First Online: 19 July 2024, pp 389–410