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Many different types of honey are available in the market, but indisputably, the most famous kind is manuka honey, and rightly so. When it comes to honey, there's more than just the sweet taste that meets the eye. It offers tons of health benefits. However, the choice between manuka honey and regular honey may be difficult to make if you don't know how they are different.
If you, too, are confused between these two types of honey and would love it if somebody breaks it down and uncovers the differences between manuka honey and regular honey, you've landed on the right page. But first, let's see what manuka honey is.
The world is now recognizing the benefits of manuka honey. Leptospermum Scoparium, a.k.a manuka honey, is derived from the manuka bush nectar in New Zealand. It is a dark honey that has been used for centuries in traditional medicine.
But how is it different from our good old regular honey? Does regular honey not have health benefits?
Regular honey is the honey you are most likely to find on your local supermarket shelves. It's collected from a variety of flowers and does offer some health benefits, but not as many as Manuka honey.
One of the most evident differences between manuka honey and regular honey is the fact that the former undergoes more stringent quality control measures as compared to any other type of honey.
It is tested for the Unique Manuka Factor (UMF), a hallmark for potency and effectiveness. The UMF sets it apart from all other types of honey, including regular and raw honey. Other differences include -
As mentioned above, Manuka honey is derived from a particular Manuka plant in New Zealand, while regular honey comes from various flower sources worldwide.
All types of honey possess some antibacterial properties due to the release of natural mild hydrogen peroxide when an enzyme in the honey encounters moisture in the body.
However, many research papers on Manuka honey have elaborated on its antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties. It is an excellent choice for wound care, skin care, digestion, and has plenty of other health benefits. Whereas regular honey, though beneficial for wound care, falls behind in comparison with Manuka honey.
The consistency of these types of honey varies a lot. While manuka honey is thick and dark, the regular honey is extremely light in color. You can spot manuka honey by its yellowish-brown color, which looks rich and smells earthy.
Unlike sweet regular honey, Manuka honey has a unique, robust flavor and a bitter aftertaste. That is because the taste of regular honey can vary based on the flowers the bees have collected nectar from.
Both Manuka and regular honey are abundant in nutrient and bioactive compounds. Some of these include -
Manuka honey is highly appreciated due to its antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties. These features are due to its high MGO content and set it apart from regular and raw honey.
DHA is another compound exclusively found in Manuka honey. It is the DHA that is converted into MGO.
It is a chemical marker to test the authenticity of Manuka honey.
All types of honey contain trace amounts of vitamins, such as vitamins B2, B3, and C, and minerals, such as iron, calcium, and potassium. Manuka honey has higher amounts of protein and other nutrients when compared with regular honey.
If you thought manuka honey had no sugar, you're highly mistaken. Manuka honey does contain sugars like regular honey, primarily glucose and fructose. It's the other components like Methylglyoxal (MGO) that make a huge difference between manuka honey and regular honey.
These additional components make manuka honey a preferred choice, especially if you are closely monitoring and cutting your daily sugar intake.
In essence, there are many, many, many differences between regular honey and Manuka honey, and the one you pick will depend on the purpose of it. So, the next time you happen to go to the honey aisle, you'll know the buzz about Manuka honey vs. regular honey and be able to make a well-informed choice.
If you are looking for honey-infused products for wound care and skin care, HPFY has a variety of products made with manuka honey for better healing. We carry honey dressings, manuka honey moisturizers, and edibles, to name a few. Explore today to find all that you need to stay in the pink of health.
Author Profile: Shweta Chaubey
Shweta Chaubey, has been a Health Products For You contributor since 2021. An advocate-turned-writer, her desire to create meaningful and positive content has brought her to HPFY and what better than writing for a health and wellness website, we don’t say it, she does! She believes in the tenants of hard work, honesty, and being humble in all she does. She dreams of becoming an administrative officer and truly making a difference in people’s lives.
Reviewed by: Christine Kijek, Registered Colorectal Nurse on August 7, 2024
Christine Kijek is a registered nurse with a Bachelor of Science degree in Nursing. She has completed courses for wound and ostomy specialty and has 20 years of experience. She has been a Health Products For You contributor since February 2021. A colorectal nurse at Danbury Hospital in Danbury, CT, she has a wealth of knowledge in the field of ostomy and wound care. An ostomate herself, she has first-hand knowledge about living with an ostomy. Christine hosts HPFY’s monthly ostomy support group and our monthly Ostomy Webinar. Christine enjoys riding motorcycles and gardening. She can often be found onboard a Carnival Cruise ship lounging by the pool with her husband Ed.
Disclaimer: All content found on our website, including images, videos, infographics, and text were created solely for informational purposes. Our reviewed content should never be used for the purpose of diagnosis or treatment of any medical conditions. Content shared on our websites is not meant to be used as a substitute for advice from a certified medical professional. Reliance on the information provided on our website as a basis for patient treatment is solely at your own risk. We urge all our customers to always consult a physician or a certified medical professional before trying or using a new medical product.
Shweta Chaubey, has been a Health Products For You contributor since 2021. An advocate-turned-writer, her desire to create meaningful and positive content has brought her to HPFY and what better than writing ...
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