EDUCATION
8 minutes
Essential Takeaways
There are two subsystems within the immune system that work hard to keep us healthy. The innate system is a general defence against bacteria and disease, and the adaptive system builds specific antibodies as it comes into contact with antigens.
Manuka honey has powerful antioxidant, antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties. It has also been found to modulate the immune system, meaning that it triggers the response when needed and provides the nutrients the system needs to work.
Not all honeys offer this level of activity. And some types of manuka honey are more powerful than others. Always opt for UMF™-graded manuka honey and get the highest grade possible for the best results.
Humans have used honey to keep us healthy long before we knew anything about the immune system.
Thousands of years before, in fact¹.
Now that we understand how the immune system works and what we can do to keep it that way, the natural compounds in manuka honey are even more exciting.
Manuka honey has been shown to impact the immune system directly through immunomodulation and indirectly, by fighting bacteria, boosting tissue growth, and generally helping us live healthier lives².
In this article, we explore how, and which manuka honey is the best for the immune system.
In this guide to the best manuka honey for the immune system:
How To Choose The Best Manuka Honey To Boost Immunity
“New Zealand manuka honey is simply the best! I have been taking a 1/2 teaspoon everyday for over a year now and feel healthy and virus free! Nature's med.”
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Nancy B., verified buyer | UMF™ 20+ | MGO 829+
The antibacterial properties of manuka honey perfectly complement the job of the immune system - to keep us safe and healthy.
But when it comes to using honey for medical purposes like this, it’s important to get the right stuff.
Not all honey is created equal.
In fact, as one of the most faked foods in the world, a lot of the honey on store shelves is diluted or tampered with in some way. For example, it may have been heated and ultra-filtered to make it look more commercial, but this removes a lot of the important antibacterial compounds.
Manuka honey is uniquely potent in methylglyoxal (MGO), the compound most commonly associated with its powerful antibacterial properties and other health benefits. It can have up to 100 times more MGO than other honey types³.
Not only that, but the unique combination of botanical and chemical compounds found specifically in manuka honey makes it even more powerful⁴.
So to protect the integrity of genuine manuka honey, the UMF™ grading system was created.
A jar of UMF™ grade manuka honey has been rigorously and independently tested to confirm that it is monofloral manuka honey (meaning that it’s not a mix of other nectar types) - raw, pure, and fresh.
This type of honey has been protected from contamination and dilution, so that you can be sure you’re getting the very best that nature has to offer.
1 ingredient, 2000 active compounds.
Which UMF™ manuka honey to choose for immunity
The UMF™ grades are based on the methylglyoxal (MGO) content of the honey. The higher the UMF™ grade, the higher the antibacterial content of the honey.
So if you want the best results, opt for the highest available UMF™ grade.
For us, that’s the powerhouse UMF™ 28+ | MGO 1450+.
Here are a few tips from our happy customers along with the grade they purchased:
“Great taste, especially for my daily consumption of coffee & oatmeal! Great for immunity and good health!”
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Anonymous, verified buyer | UMF™ 15+ | MGO 514+
“Is it worth the price? Yes. I’ve been sick for 14yrs with suspected MCAS & possibly more than one autoimmune disease. This stuff really does help I love it. I only take 1 teaspoon a day & my dog gets to clean the spoon. He loves it too. Highly recommend!”
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Amber F., verified buyer | UMF™ 24+ | MGO 1122+
“Manuka honey as well as giving me great energy greatly increases my immune defenses. Excellent!!!”
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Anonymous, verified buyer | UMF™ 10+ | MGO 263+
Curious to understand more about why manuka honey works for the immune system?
Let’s delve a little deeper.
Why Use Manuka Honey for Your Immune System
“Honey is an effective natural medicine for a wide range of disorders. Among the well-studied honey types, manuka honey (MH) has been shown to have numerous therapeutic properties.
This study supports a role for MH as an immunomodulatory agent and identifies its capacity to induce immunostimulatory responses both in vitro and in vivo.
The current findings… highlight the potential use of MH, or its bioactive components, to boost immune responses, preventatively and therapeutically, in different disease settings…”
It wasn’t until the early 20th century that we had the technology to study immunology⁵.
The term 'immune' had been in our vernacular for hundreds of years, and we knew that some children who recovered from particular diseases often didn’t get them again⁵.
All we had to go on was observation and experimentation. Turning to nature was the safest and most accessible thing to do.
We have evidence to suggest that the Ancient Egyptians, Chinese, and Romans used honey to boost immunity before they knew what the immune system was⁶.
But today, we know much more about how and why honey works for the immune system.
And some studies, like the one above, have found promising potential in using manuka honey to regulate and stimulate our body’s immune responses.
How does the immune system work?
Our bodies have an incredible network of cells, tissue, organs, and compounds that help us fight off infection and disease⁷.
The immune system works in two parts: the innate immune system and the adaptive immune system⁸. Both systems are activated when receptor cells spot something in the body that isn’t supposed to be there - an antigen.
The innate (or “non-specific”) system provides general defence against harmful germs and bacteria. The adaptive system learns to make antibodies based on what it comes into contact with⁸.
These systems use blood and lymph (a fluid that carries nutrients and proteins to cells⁹) to move the right cells to where they’re needed in the body. This process helps to flush out invaders and trigger repair responses in tissue.
Magic!
Does honey help immunity?
Honey has antioxidant, antibacterial, and anti-inflammatory properties. Here’s why that’s helpful to the immune system:
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Antioxidants help the immune system to fight microbes and parasites, and protect cells against oxidative stress¹⁰.
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Methylglyoxal, the antibacterial compound found in honey, has been found to attack microbes directly and even modulate (trigger) the immune system¹¹.
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Anti-inflammatory foods are particularly valuable for people with conditions like arthritis and joint pain. In these cases, the immune system might be attacking itself rather than invading cells, causing unnecessary and uncomfortable inflammation.
Manuka honey has been found to offer these benefits in abundance. As a result, the UMF™ grading system was created to protect the integrity of genuine manuka honey.
Note: maintaining a healthy lifestyle is the best way to boost the immune system. Manuka honey can be a powerful part of that, but not a replacement.
Health benefits of manuka honey for the immune system
Manuka honey has the most potent antibacterial properties compared with other honeys, which is a great boost for the immune system¹².
But that’s not all manuka honey is good for. It also helps us to keep healthy in general, which is just as important for maintaining a working immune system.
It’s great for pre- and post-workout nutrients, regulating weight, easing pain and inflammation, balancing hormones, enjoying a healthy sex life, managing allergies, soothing skin complaints, and more.
Pretty impressive for something made by bees!
Make Your Own Manuka Honey Immunity Boosters
Here are some easy at-home recipes for manuka honey immunity boosters.
Green tea with manuka honey
Green tea is rich in flavonoids, just like manuka honey. This makes it great for boosting immune function¹³.
In our green tea with manuka honey recipe, we provide a few ways to customise this deliciously soothing drink and share some watch-outs to avoid when adding honey to hot beverages.
Nutrient-packed smoothies with manuka honey
Blitzing up your fruit and vegetables is a great way of packing in the vitamins and minerals that your immune system needs to work properly.
It’s also a great way of using up foods that have started to go a little limp.
Our manuka honey smoothie recipes give you plenty of options and inspiration to maximise what’s already in your pantry and fridge.
Gut-loving manuka honey yoghurt
Did you know that around 70% of the immune system starts in the gut¹⁴?
Interest in gut health has exploded in recent years thanks to a greater understanding of just how fundamental this part of the body is in regulating so many other important systems.
Yoghurt with live and active cultures is believed to be fantastic for gut microbe diversity, and also an important source of vitamin D, which is linked to immune health¹⁵.
Start your day with a bowl of Greek yoghurt, fruit, and manuka honey for a nutritious immunity boost that will keep you full until lunch.
Boost Your Immunity with New Zealand Honey Co. Manuka Honey
Keep your immune system fighting fit with our premium UMF™ grade manuka honey.
But don’t take our word for it, see what our customers have to say:
“Amazing product for the whole family and especially for developing my kids immune system.”
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Anonymous, verified buyer | UMF™ 15+ | MGO 514+
“I tried other brands, don't bother. New Zealand [Honey Co.] is the way to go. You can just taste the purity, quality, and authenticity.”
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Anonymous, verified buyer | UMF™ 26+ | MGO 1282+
Unsure which grade is right for you?
Sources:
¹ The story of NZ manuka honey, New Zealand Honey Co.
² Immunomodulatory responses, National Library of Medicine.
³ Manuka honey vs. regular honey, New Zealand Honey Co.
⁴ Is honey antibacterial? New Zealand Honey Co.
⁵ Immunity, The Lancet.
⁶ The history of honey as a medicine, Mining Journal.
⁷ Definition of the immune system, Cancer.gov.
⁸ How does the immune system work? National Library of Medicine.
⁹ Lymph, Cleveland Clinic.
¹⁰ Antioxidant vitamins and the immune system, IOP Science.
¹¹ Immunometabolism, Science Direct.
¹² Is manuka honey worth it? New Zealand Honey Co.
¹³ Foods that boost the immune system, Spire Health.
¹⁴ Immunity and the gut, Enterogermina.
¹⁵ Foods that boost the immune system, Healthline.
DISCLAIMER: Sale Excludes MGO 50+, UMF 10+, UMF 28+, and Manuka Honey Spoon. Offer valid until 7th July. Valid while stocks last. The discount code can only be used once per customer and is non-transferable. Cannot be combined with other offers. Items purchased with this discount are subject to our standard return policy.
Your wellness journey starts with a spoonful a day.
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