Manuka Honey: Superfood or a Smart Marketing Trick?
Manuka honey (tea tree) over the past few years has gained a reputation of superfood that is able to deal with colds, allergies and different infections, heal wounds and improve skin and hair conditions.
Today, there are dozens of companies that produce Manuka honey in the form of honey itself, with various amounts of micronutrients in it, and in the form of creams, ointments, shampoos, cough drops and much more. Unfortunately, among these companies there are a lot of dishonest manufacturers producing products that are called Manuka honey, but, in reality, it has nothing to do with the original honey. To fight against this phenomenon, they founded an independent association of honey manufacturers in New Zealand – where this honey is produced. It includes only those companies that produce an authentic product. To find out more about this topic, read about the best Manuka honey here; in the meantime we'll talk about whether this product actually deserves attention.
As in many other cases involving miracle-products, one should believe only scientific facts, not marketing ploys. Here is what Manuka honey really is, and why it is not as great as it seems at first.
Let's start with the fact that honey was widely used by our ancestors (rock drawings and sacred texts do prove it) for treatment of various diseases, but more often – for treatment of all kinds of wounds and skin infections.
The popularity of honey began to decline rapidly in the middle of the 20th century, when they invented the first antibiotic. According to Science Alert, Western medicine claimed that honey was a “useless, but, nevertheless, harmless substance”.
However, emergence of new pathogens resistant to some or all antibiotics resulted in an increased focus of scientific researchers on alternative methods of fighting against those pathogens. It allowed us to understand that use of honey by ancient healers was, first of all, due to its powerful antibacterial properties.
In the process of destroying bacteria many types of honey also release some hydrogen peroxide (when the honey enzyme – glucose oxidase – comes into reaction with oxygen molecules in the water). Thus, when they use honey to heal wounds, it draws moisture out of it, which results in emergence of peroxide and, consequently, disinfection. At the same time, the antibacterial effect strongly depends on the type of honey: some are 100 times more active than the others.
How is Manuka Different from Other Types of Honey?
Honey is extracted from the nectar of the New Zealand tea tree (Leptospermum scoparium) known for its strong antibacterial properties. This fact was discovered in the 1980s by Professor Peter Molan who also found out that the effect of Manuka honey could still be preserved if we were to artificially remove hydrogen peroxide from it. The reason behind it remained unknown until two independent laboratories in 2008 discovered methylglyoxal (MGO) in it – an antimicrobial substance that appears in plants, animal cells and some food products.
Can Manuka Kill Antibiotic-Resistant Viruses?
Effect of Manuka was tested on a large number of bacteria, including antibiotic-resistant pathogens. As a result, it was determined that Manuka honey can kill and spread, among other things, such bacteria as streptococcus and staphylococcus. So far, the researchers have no data proving that in the future pathogens may develop resistance to honey. But it, of course, requires additional, very detailed tests; so it is, definitely, too early to call Manuka honey “the cure for everything”.
In conclusion, I want to say that Manuka honey can be healthy, considering its ability to strengthen the immune system and to help with cold and sore throat symptoms. However, we should not believe in its detox ability, superpowers in regards to any kinds of diseases or look at it as a beauty product. If you feel sick, the best solution is to see a doctor. And honey, in this case, can be used just as an excellent addition to your overall health treatment program.
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