Manuka Honey - It's the bees knees!

Manuka Honey – Its the bee’s knees, but be aware of quality & labelling!

Honey is an age old remedy for the treatment of infected wounds and in recent years ‘rediscovered’ by the medical profession where conventional modern therapeutics have failed. One particular honey that has gained a great deal of attention in recent years, not only by the medical profession but consumers alike, is Manuka Honey. For evidence of its growing popularity you only need to look at recent sales figures – The Unique Manuka Factor Honey Association (UMFHA) in New Zealand state that in the UK alone 1,800 tonnes per year are now sold. So what is it about this honey that makes it so unique?

 Manuka honey is one nature's special gifts. Sourced from some of New Zealand’s most pure and remote locations it is renowned for its unique flavour and special activity; Manuka Honey is valued by many for its contribution to a healthy diet and recognised worldwide for its unique properties not found in ordinary honey. In early summer the bees forage in the delicate Manuka (Leptospermum scoparium) flowers. It’s a busy start to the honey season for the beekeepers.

Traditionally used by the indigenous Maori population as a medicine, it wasn’t until the early 1990’s that researchers at Waikato University discovered during tests that the honey boasted unique anti bacterial properties that may be beneficial to human health.

According to Mandal et al (2011) the leptospermum scoparium (manuka) honey has been reported to have an inhibitory effect on around 60 species of bacteria, including aerobes and anaerobes. More specifically, it has been reported to exhibit antimicrobial activity against pathogenic bacteria such as staphylococcus aureus (S.aureus) and Helicobacter pylori making this a promising functional food for the treatment of wounds or stomach ulcers. It is also well documented for its ability to promote wound healing and as a potent anti inflammatory agent. A recent study in 2012 by Hammond & Donker also found that Manuka honey exhibits a bactericidal action against Clostridium. difficile This organism is associated with severe infections including diarrhea, pseudomembranous colitis, toxic megacolon, perforation of the colon, and in some cases, sepsis

The antibacterial properties of honey can be mainly attributed to the presence of hydrogen peroxide and its level of concentration, which determines the level of antibacterial activity, however there are other significant factors which also play important roles such as acidity (low pH), high osmolarity and also the presence of a number of ‘non peroxide’ components like the phytochemical Methylglyoxal (MGO). Most conventional honeys will contain hydrogen peroxide but in some cases this can be destroyed by heat, body fluids or by an enzyme known as catalase and antibacterial activity will often vary. The levels of anti bacterial activity may also deteriorate over time. It was Professor Peter Molan of Waikato University who identified that honey from certain strains of the Manuka Bush contained extraordinary and powerful ‘non peroxide’ anti bacterial properties that were light and heat stable and remained unaffected in the presence of catalase. These properties are ‘unique’ to Manuka Honey and are what sets it aside from other honeys on the market today.

Fake Manuka

Currently within the UK and worldwide, there is much debate and confusion surrounding Manuka honey in regards to authenticity, quality, potency, pricing and labelling claims. Recent independent testing on a batch of Manuka Honey brands on sale in the UK have shown discrepancies between lab tests and what is shown on the label with certain brands products falling short of label claims. However, this may be about to change as the Ministry for Primary Industry in New Zealand is about to reveal findings of a review body that has been working on establishing a long term solution to companies selling fraudulent Manuka through the creation of series of labelling guidelines. Tighter regulation will hopefully bring a degree of clarity & standardisation for consumers & retailers.

Since many customers buy and consume Manuka honey for its efficacy, the best way to get true levels of Manuka’s key benefit is to buy products displaying a UMF® rating. UMF® products are frequently independently tested by the Unique Manuka Factor Honey Association (UMFHA), regulators, competitors and the media to verify their quality and activity levels. For over three years UMF® products tested worldwide have always been shown to exceed their stated UMF® levels.  NPA is another Manuka rating acronym. Products displaying NPA should contain the same quantity of UMF® as a UMF® product of the same number e.g. NPA 5+ should equate to UMF® 5+ in terms of the UMF® activity. The difference between the two is NPA is unregulated and doesn’t include the quality checks UMF® has. Most Manuka honey products use a numbering system, often ending with a “+” e.g. 5+, 10+ and 15+. Higher numbers denote higher strength products, but these are rarer and in great demand despite the higher pricing.

Are you buying the real thing?

The best indicator of genuine Manuka honey is the UMF® mark. It is the most credible verification of the quality and efficacy of Manuka honey. Secondly, choose a brand you trust, with a long history of its UMF® levels publicly confirmed by scientific testing.

More changes in labelling legislation are on their way, but until then, be conscious of the varying qualities of Manuka out there, ask questions - be a savvy manuka buyer!

COMPETITION TIME - You could win this fantastic prize from Comvita (worth £38) by simply answering the question below:

What does the abbreviation UMF® stand for?
Please send all answers to mel@barehealth.co.uk by September 30th.

For more information please call Bare Health on 01260 408413

References:

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3609166/

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3669629/

http://www.thegrocer.co.uk/buying-and-supplying/the-great-manuka-honey-swindle/359035.article

http://www.thegrocer.co.uk/buying-and-supplying/marketing/manuka-honey-health-claims-should-be-removed-says-nz/370128.article

The information in this article is not intended to replace the advice of your GP or any other medical professional. Always seek the advice of your GP if taking prescribed medication or undergoing any form of treatment.