The Gut Health Benefits of Manuka Honey
Prebiotics are non-digestible food components that act as nourishment for the beneficial microorganisms naturally living in our gut. By providing a food source for these good bacteria, prebiotics are associated with a healthy gut environment and general wellbeing (Gibson et al., 2004).
Manuka honey naturally contains oligosaccharides — complex carbohydrates that resist digestion in the upper gastrointestinal tract and reach the lower intestine, where they can act as a food source for beneficial gut bacteria (Mandal et al., 2016).
In plain terms: these are natural complex sugars that the good bacteria in your gut can feed on. You don't need to memorise the numbers — one study simply found Manuka was naturally rich in these prebiotic sugars, the most abundant being erlose (179.5 mg/g), followed by panose (24.3 mg/g) and maltotriose (22.3 mg/g), with trace amounts of maltose, nigerose and kojibiose.
As a raw, unheated wholefood, Manuka honey can be a delicious part of a balanced daily diet. Many people enjoy it for its rich flavour as well as its natural goodness.
Whether stirred into tea, drizzled over yoghurt or taken by the spoonful, Manuka honey is a simple, natural addition to your daily routine. Browse our Digestive Support range to find a grade that suits you.
Research into honey and the gut is ongoing. Manuka honey is a food, not a medicine, and we make no medical claims about it.
These statements have not been evaluated by regulators. This product is a food and is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.
