Manuka Honey IDR 500 Thousand a Bottle, Is It Really Great?

Jakarta –

Manuka honey is notoriously expensive and has natural antibiotic properties. Despite the price which can reach half a million rupiah per 500 gram bottle, are the benefits of manuka honey really that great?

Honey is a healthy and natural food ingredient that is a ‘vitamin’ that people rely on every day. Many people drink honey to increase endurance, overcome digestive problems, and even treat skin wounds by using it topically.

There are many types of honey on the market, including manuka honey from New Zealand which is the favorite. This honey is sold more expensively than other types of honey. In Indonesia, the price range is IDR 500 thousand per bottle with a capacity of 500 grams.

Manuka honey contains relatively higher levels of antibacterial compounds than other types of honey. The label ‘manuka’ on honey cannot be used carelessly. Only honey containing 70% manuka flower pollen can be labeled ‘manuka’.

So what are the special features of manuka honey?

Quote HuffPost (12/11/2024), nutritionist Barbara Ruhs, who is a consultant to the manuka honey trade organization in Auckland, New Zealand, expressed her views. “Unlike other honey, manuka is produced from the nectar of the unique leptospermum scoparium tree, also known as the tea tree. This tree grows abundantly in New Zealand,” said Ruhs.

Dana Ellis Hunnes of the UCLA Fielding School of Public Health said Manuka honey is unique because it has specific antibacterial and antiviral properties that come from reactive organic compounds, which are found in the human body and in this honey. The name of the compound is methylglyoxal (MGO).

The higher the MGO concentration, the stronger the antibacterial effect. Consuming this honey has been proven to be beneficial. Research results show that manuka honey helps overcome digestive disorders caused by H. pylori. It also has anticancer properties, although further research is still needed.

“Research into the potential health benefits of medical-grade manuka honey is still ongoing. The focus is on its antibacterial and wound healing properties,” said dermatologist Dr. Tara Akunna.

Increasingly popular during the Covid-19 pandemic

Manuka honey contains 70% manuka flower pollen. Photo: Nurvita Indarini

The popularity of manuka honey increased during the Covid-19 pandemic. In the United States, many people consume manuka honey because they believe it is antibacterial and useful in increasing the body’s immune system.

Hunnes is also grateful for this trend because it means more people are looking for natural solutions to treat minor health problems, such as inflammation, coughing or sunburn, instead of using chemical drugs.

Read the next page to find out the healthy benefits of manuka honey.