Eating Manuka honey daily can boost immune health, support digestive wellness (prebiotic, gut balance), and improve oral health (fights plaque/gingivitis) due to its strong antibacterial (MGO), antioxidant, and anti-inflammatory properties, but it's high in sugar, so moderation is key, especially for diabetics, and it's not for infants.
You can eat Manuka honey every day in small amounts. It's safe for most healthy adults, and it may give you benefits such as soothing a sore throat or supporting digestion. But it's still sugar, so too much can raise your blood sugar or add extra calories.
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 acts as a prebiotic, because it is a source of non-digestible carbohydrates known as oligosaccharides. We can't digest these carbohydrates but the bacteria in our guts can. Using the oligosaccharides as a food source helps levels of 'good' bacteria, including bifidobacteria and lactobacilli, thrive.
Try taking manuka honey with beverages and desserts, such as herbal teas, smoothies, or homemade granola bars, for a natural sweetener packed with nutrients.
Manuka honey should start working straight away. For wound and burn care the area should be soothed and show noticeable changes overnight. For skin conditions it should soothes the skin quickly and then might take a few applications to get a good result.
Yes, taking Manuka honey in the morning is a common and recommended ritual. Many people enjoy it first thing in the morning. In fact, a heaping spoonful on an empty stomach may allow your body to absorb its nutrients more directly, making it a natural and mindful start to the day.
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.
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.
Renowned for its potent anti-inflammatory properties, studies show Manuka honey can help with supporting joint pain and inflammation, and improving mobility.
The "best" strength of Manuka honey depends on your goal: lower MGO (30+ to 100+) is great for daily wellness, toast, or drinks; medium strengths (MGO 250+ to 500+) suit sore throats, minor cuts, or digestive issues; while high strengths (MGO 850+ to 1000+ and above) offer potent antibacterial action for severe wounds, ulcers, or specific therapeutic needs, with higher numbers indicating stronger antibacterial potency.
Costco's Kirkland Signature Manuka Honey is genuine New Zealand-sourced honey with UMF certification (typically UMF 10+ or 15+). Prices run $20-$30 for 17.6oz—roughly 30% cheaper than specialty brands. Always check the UMF logo and batch number on the jar. Not safe for infants under 1 year due to botulism risk.
How to identify authentic Manuka honey from New Zealand
Manuka honey doesn't expire in the way perishable foods do. Thanks to its low moisture content, natural acidity, and powerful compounds, it can last for years if stored properly. While the “best before” date on your jar reflects peak quality—typically set at three years—it's not a sign of spoilage.
Manuka honey seems to be effective in Gastro‐esophageal reflux disease (GERD), which have been confirmed by subjective feelings of patients and by endoscopic and histopathologic examination.
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.
After a couple of weeks of including Manuka honey in your routine, you may start to notice some potential benefits. Manuka contains a wide range of unique nutrients that help: Support your natural, healthy immune response. Naturally boost energy levels.
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.
Honey is a natural sweetener known for its health benefits but should not be mixed with certain foods as per Ayurveda. Avoid combining honey with hot water, garlic, cucumber, ghee, meat, fish, and hot milk to prevent digestive issues and the loss of its beneficial properties.
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.
Or if you prefer, you could take approximately 3 teaspoons per day. Some customers like to spread their Manuka throughout their meals. Starting the day with a teaspoon mixed into hot drinks or drizzled over their breakfast, and then another before bed time to help sooth a throat before you go to sleep.
Safety and side effects
Taken together, it is suggested that the inflammatory signs of rheumatoid arthritis could be relieved by two weeks intake and/or external applying of honey solutions on joints of rheumatoid arthritis patients, as honey could act as an anti-inflammatory reagent and enhance the immune system.
Medications that slow blood clotting (Anticoagulant / Antiplatelet drugs) interacts with Honey. Honey might slow blood clotting. Taking honey along with medications that also slow blood clotting might increase the risk of bruising and bleeding.