A maximum of two teaspoons a day (15g) is a good portion size of manuka honey, as while it has many impressive health benefits, it is still high in sugar. If you are using manuka honey as part of a balanced diet, try drizzling it over porridge, overnight oats or natural yogurt.
Manuka Honey contains 78g of sugar per 100g. Both Manuka Honey and sugar are made up of glucose and fructose. In white sugar, these are combined to form sucrose. Honey is higher in fructose, which is why it tastes sweeter than the equivalent amount of sugar.
Manuka honey has under half the sugar of processed honey, at 7.81g per tbsp (to regular honey's 17.2g). It has a deeper taste than the honey you might be familiar with and makes a beautifully earthy substitute.
The glycemic index of Manuka honey is 57. While it does fall in the moderate range, it is on the lower end of this scale, making it a more suitable choice for diabetics, especially compared to refined sugar which typically has a GI rating of 65.
Even better news is you can utilize Manuka Honey, even on a budget! While you can definitely get many benefits from incorporating it into recipes, for general immune support it's recommended that you take 2-3 teaspoons per day.
A maximum of two teaspoons a day (15g) is a good portion size of manuka honey, as while it has many impressive health benefits, it is still high in sugar. If you are using manuka honey as part of a balanced diet, try drizzling it over porridge, overnight oats or natural yogurt.
For those with diabetes seeking Manuka Honey options it may be an option to explore mid-range grades. These would offer good levels of antibacterial activity with moderate MG content.
The ideal serving per day of our Manuka Doctor honey is 21g. This roughly equates to a tablespoon daily – because Manuka honey is a heavy substance! Or if you prefer, you could take approximately 3 teaspoons per day. Some customers like to spread their Manuka throughout their meals.
Manuka honey has antibacterial, antiviral, anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. It gets its antibacterial effects from an active ingredient called methylglyoxal (MGO). MGO is created in manuka honey thanks to the conversion of another compound known as dihydroxyacetone (DHA).
Manuka honey is often recommended for diabetics due to its lower glycemic index and additional health benefits, such as its antibacterial properties.
One tablespoon of Manuka honey will have about 15-18 grams of sugar, depending on the brand. Simple math tells you that is about half of the daily recommended intake of sugar.
For one teaspoon of Manuka honey, you'd be looking at closer to 20 calories and 5.6 grams of both carbs and sugar.
Usually the doctors recommend honey to be taken empty stomach early in the morning as it gives an instant kick and energy boost which is enough to counter an entire day. Also, while going to bed, a spoonful of honey not only gives a good night's sleep but also helps in digestion and relaxation of mind and body.
Kanuka honey has even been hailed as the “new super honey” due to its healing qualities. It shows particularly promising results as a topical treatment for skin disorders. Some scientists claim that some Kanuka honey has even higher levels of MGO than Manuka honey.
One of the great things about being a honey lover is there are so many ways you can eat it, and Manuka honey from New Zealand is no different. From supercharging your breakfasts, stirring into hot drinks, or simply taken off the spoon every morning or night – there is no right or wrong way to take Manuka honey.
Manuka honey consumed before bedtime can help the body to release melatonin into the brain which is necessary for a deep sleep and helps to reduce the risk of more serious sleep-related health issues.
Honey is still a form of sugar and intake should be moderate. The American Heart Association recommends that women get no more than 100 calories a day from added sugars; men no more than 150 calories a day. This is a little over two tablespoons for women and three tablespoons for men.
Manuka honey is exclusively from New Zealand and boasts more medicinal properties than other honey. Manuka honey may treat inflammatory skin conditions, heal wounds, and improve oral health. Do not use manuka honey if you have diabetes, an allergy to bees, or are under the age of one.
The glycemic index measures how quickly a carbohydrate raises blood sugar levels. Honey has a GI score of 58, and sugar has a GI value of 60. That means honey (like all carbohydrates) raises blood sugar quickly, but not quite as fast as sugar. Still, it's not a big difference.
Possible Side Effects of Manuka Honey
Allergic reaction, especially in people who are allergic to bees. A rise in blood sugar if large quantities are consumed. Effects on certain chemotherapy drugs and interactions with various other medicines.
Manuka Honey - while this may seem like a disconnect, studies have shown that as an alternative to refined sugars, manuka honey can help you lose weight and reduce fat. Manuka honey is full of essential vitamins which allow the body to utilize food more efficiently.
We don't want to lose any of the beneficial stuff that makes manuka honey special. Like with any biological compound, high sustained heat can destroy the methylglyoxal that is associated with antibacterial activity in manuka honey. So you don't want to spoon it straight into a cup of boiling water.
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.