Yes, Manuka honey can help promote sleep by providing a slow release of energy (glycogen) to fuel the brain overnight, stabilizing blood sugar, and potentially increasing the production of melatonin, leading to deeper, more restful sleep, especially when taken as part of a calming bedtime routine with warm, caffeine-free drinks. It acts as a natural sleep aid by preventing the blood sugar dips that can wake you up and by supporting vital nighttime brain functions, making it a popular choice for a soothing ritual before bed, notes Manukora and Australia's Manuka Honey.
While Manuka honey is best known for its immune & general wellness benefits, it's also incredible for sleep! Its natural sugars break down slowly, helping maintain steady blood sugar and fuel your brain overnight, two things that can make drifting off (and staying asleep) a little easier.
Manuka honey can be enjoyed in several ways, such as stirring a spoonful into a cup of chamomile tea, adding it to warm milk, drizzling it over a small piece of fruit, or simply eating it straight from the jar. It's best consumed about 30 minutes before bedtime.
A study by the National Centre for Biotechnology Information in 2017 suggested that Manuka honey can help to promote a deep and restful slumber by slowly releasing glycogen which is needed for essential bodily functions during sleep.
Side effects of Manuka honey are rare but not impossible. Most people tolerate Manuka honey very well, but allergies, gastrointestinal complaints, or effects on blood sugar can occur in rare cases. You should be especially cautious with babies under one year old and with allergies.
Does manuka honey need to be refrigerated? No, you should avoid refrigerating your manuka honey. It is best stored in a cool, dark place like a cupboard or pantry. Refrigeration of any honey — not just the special manuka variety — can cause crystallisation.
Honey helps sleep better
This is because honey contains tryptophan - a hormone used to feel relaxed, it also sends signals about sleep to the human body. Because tryptophan is an essential amino acid but cannot be produced naturally in the body, consuming honey before bed offers many benefits to the body.
After a couple of weeks of including Manuka honey in your routine, you may start to notice some potential benefits.
Methylglyoxal is the unique compound in the honey responsible for some of its potent anti-microbial properties. Further, propolis another component of honey contains chiefly flavonoids (i.e. galangin, pinocembrin), phenolic acids and their esters that may also contribute to its immuno-stimulant properties.
Consume it on an empty stomach in the morning, or add to a warm (not hot) herbal tea. Avoid exposing Mānuka honey to high heat, as this can degrade its beneficial compounds.
A teaspoon of raw honey about 30 minutes before bed has been suggested to support restful sleep. Its balanced fructose–glucose content helps replenish liver glycogen, stabilising blood sugar and reducing nighttime awakenings. Studies also suggest that a milk–honey mixture can improve sleep quality.
Raw Manuka honey is naturally rich in specific nutrients that can support high and stable energy levels, putting you in a good mood and potentially enhancing your productivity. If you're looking for an energy option that offers benefits beyond a little pep in your step, read on to learn more about raw Manuka honey.
Thanks to its natural prebiotic compounds, Manuka can help feed the good bacteria in the gut, supporting a healthy microbiome. Research suggests it may also aid in fighting harmful bacteria like H. pylori and C. difficile, which are linked to stomach ulcers and food poisoning.
Safety and side effects
Take half or a whole teaspoon of raw, high-quality Manuka honey about 30 minutes before bedtime. It can be taken directly, or added to warm herbal teas (such as chamomile or lavender) for an enhanced calming effect. Avoid boiling water to preserve the honey's beneficial nutrients when mixing with tea.
Health Benefits of Daily Mānuka Honey Consumption
Its antibacterial properties can help combat harmful bacteria, such as Helicobacter pylori, which is linked to stomach ulcers. Additionally, it may soothe digestive issues like bloating and acid reflux.
Studies show that manuka honey has a higher pH and sugar content than other varieties of honey, which may contribute to its antibacterial activity. These benefits make manuka honey especially useful for addressing minor skin irritations and concerns, like acne.
Straight off the spoon
Manuka honey can be eaten straight off the spoon as a daily health booster or a natural medicine. The higher the MGO number, the stronger the antibacterial concentration of Manuka honey and so the faster it will work. The bioactive compounds in Manuka honey promote our health and wellbeing.
Its natural carbohydrates release energy gradually, helping support steady nighttime patterns. Raw Manuka honey also contains compounds that support general wellness, making it a simple addition to a calming bedtime ritual.
Along with other foods like coffee and chocolate, honey has been suggested to be a natural aphrodisiac. Aphrodisiacs are substances that supposedly increase libido and sexual arousal. Though historically honey has been thought to be an aphrodisiac, there's little to no scientific evidence supporting this.
Moreover, honey also contains several amino acids, including tryptophan. The tryptophan in honey enters the brain, where it's converted into serotonin and then into melatonin, which is a sleep aid.
Although you can add it to smoothies, oatmeal or yoghurt, the best way to take Manuka Honey is straight from the jar. It is recommended to take it once in the morning and once at night. It is safe to have 2 to 4 teaspoons (10 to 20 mL) of Manuka Honey daily, but always remember to moderate how much you consume.
A honey well known for its antibacterial properties is manuka honey, which is obtained from manuka bush (Leptospermum scoparium) and contains substantial amounts of methylglyoxal (MGO). Methylglyoxal harbors selective toxicity to bacterial cells, causing bacterial cell death and inhibition of bacterial replication.
Mānuka honey does not expire in the same way perishable foods do. It does not spoil or become unsafe, but its flavor, texture, and potency can change over time, especially when exposed to heat, light, or moisture. You may notice a Best Before Date (BBD) on your jar.