3 Best Honey For Gut Health

Studies reveal that roughly 80% of honey consists of sugars. Interestingly, more than 25% of these sugars are indigestible oligosaccharides which are recognized for their many gut health benefits.

But with over 300 different honey types in the United States alone, no wonder you have also found yourself asking, ‘What’s the best honey for gut health?’.

Therefore, here I have picked some honey varieties from brands that are committed to serving quality and benefits in every jar.

In addition to this, I have assembled a comprehensive buying guide that will enable you to make confident and informed decisions for your next honey purchase. 

So, let’s dive into the sweet world of honey and unlock the secrets to choosing the perfect one for yourself.

How To Choose The Best Honey For Gut Health:

Not all honey is created equal, and choosing the right one can significantly impact your digestive system. 

First of all, you should know that ‘Manuka’ is the best type of honey for gut health.

But there are other things like the label, floral source, and certification that further categorize the best manuka honey.

So, let’s dig into the details.

1. Manuka’s Probiotic Benefits

Interestingly, the probiotic benefits of honey are not directly attributed to the presence of good bacteria within it but rather to its prebiotic, antibacterial, and antioxidant content. 

In this regard, manuka honey is the most extensively studied for these compounds, and it is considered the best honey for your gut health.

Hence, there is sufficient scientific evidence that backs its use for the treatment of gut problems like ulcerative colitis and diarrhea and for re-engineering a healthy gut microbiome. 

Moreover, researchers have reported that manuka honey prevents the attachment and establishment of gut pathogens like Escherichia coli O157:H7 (by 40%), Staphylococcus aureus (by 30%), and Pseudomonas aeruginosa (by 52%).

Additionally, here are some probiotic cultures that have shown accelerated growth in response to honey feeding:

• Bifidobacterium species (B. longum, B. adolescentis, B. breve, B. bifidum, and B. infantis) 
• Lactobacillus species (L. acidophilus, L. plantarum, L. reuteri, and L. rhamnosus).

2. Label

When it comes to gut health, raw, unpasteurized, and unfiltered honey is the way to go. 

Raw honey is rich in beneficial enzymes, pollen, propolis, and traces of beeswax, all of which contribute to a healthy gut. 

Some marketing labels that indicate that the honey is gut-healthy are raw, organic, unpasteurized, natural, pure, monofloral, UMF and MGO certified, and 100% New Zealand origin.

3. Floral Source

All honey types are sweet, but they are not the same. 

The nutrient and chemical composition of honey may vary depending on the floral source, bee type, environmental conditions, and processing factors.

Your best choice, the Manuka honey, is produced from the manuka tea tree plants in the coastal areas of New Zealand.

In addition to that, remember that the nectar for a high-potency manuka will be derived from only one floral source, and this would be referred to as ‘mono-floral manuka honey.’

In comparison, honey made from nectar derived from multiple flowers (multi-floral manuka honey) or by blending different types of honey (blended manuka honey) have comparatively fewer gut health benefits.

4. Certifications

If you ask me one thing that can instantly help you spot authentic manuka honey, it is its certifications.

First comes the FernMark accreditation indicated by the official “Tested Certified Manuka” gold leaf symbol. 

This symbol instantly verifies that the honey is distributed by a trusted manufacturer who is verified by the New Zealand government.

Additionally, pure manuka honey comes in different strengths, so a UMF and MGO certification will also be displayed on its jar. 

If honey doesn’t have these ratings, it would be multi-floral manuka honey or a manuka honey blend.

Here, the MGO rating indicates the amount of methylglyoxal present in the manuka, which directly corresponds to its antibacterial activity. 

You may observe the MGO rating getting higher as the methylglyoxal content increases, but it generally ranges from 30 to 2000.  Nonetheless, the most popular MGO strengths are 30+, 100+, 250+, 400+, and 550+.

In comparison, the UMF rating refers to the “Unique Manuka Factor” of the honey. 

It takes into account the methylglyoxal, Leptosperin, dihydroxyacetone (DHA), and hydroxymethylfurfural (HMF) content of the honey. 

The UMF rating measures the purity, freshness, potency, and taste of the Manuka honey. 

The higher the UMF rating of the honey, the more intense its taste would be. It may be as high as 20+, but products are typically labeled between 6+ and 18+.

Now that you’re familiar with what these ratings signify, here’s a general rule of thumb: the higher ratings, the better (and pricier) the honey.

Still, keep in mind that you should look for products with a UMF rating above 10+ or an MGO rating of 250+ when you intend to use them for wellness and well-being. 

But this is not all; some brands may also use ratings like KFactor, BioActive, and MGS on the jars.

Here, Bio Active is a measure of the honey’s antimicrobial activity with reference to its Hydrogen Peroxide content.

Next, the MGS assigns the manuka honey a number between 5+ and 30+ according to its antibacterial phenol strength.

Lastly, the KFactor label is not widely pursued anymore because it doesn’t measure any specific activity of manuka. Instead, it reflects the honey’s pollen count, which only confirms that it is raw and natural.

3 Best Honey For Gut Health

Now that you know what to look for while doing honey shopping, here are the three best manuka honey for gut health to help you get started.

On a side note, I have included both cost-effective options ranging between $15 to $40, as well as higher-priced products exceeding $60. 

This way, you will have the flexibility to invest in products with higher ratings if you can afford them. 

In the other case, you can find high-quality options within your price range.

1. Manuka Health MGO-400 Manuka Honey – Best In Quality And Price

CFU: N/A

Dosage: N/A

Probiotics Strains/Strains: N/A

Form/Type: Thick liquid

Certifications: 

• It Has the Fernmark accreditation that symbolizes New Zealand made.
• MGO and UMF certified.
• Certified by the non-GMO project.

Storage: You should store it at room temperature, away from direct light and heat.

Cost: You can buy it in three size variations.

• The 8.8 oz jar (12 servings) will come for $41.17.
• Or you can buy the 17.6 0z (24 servings) jar for $77.
• But the bigger size of 35.27 oz costs $139.

The Manuka Health honey strikes the perfect balance when it comes to finding a high-potency natural manuka honey that doesn’t come with a hefty price tag.

Its high methylglyoxal rating offers antioxidant benefits in the body, provides excellent support for your immune system, and boosts your body’s resilience and vitality. 

Additionally, its oligosaccharides nourish good gut bacteria and promote digestive wellness by easing occasional discomfort and creating an optimal environment for gut health.

Pros: 

• Has a smooth caramel taste, a thick, creamy texture, and golden color.
• Raw, natural, pure, unpasteurized mono-floral manuka honey
• Certified to be authentic New Zealand manuka.
• Has a UMF rating of 13+ and an MGO rating of 400+.
• Available on official websites, online stores, and retail stores.
• Can be traced back to the beekeeper. 
• Non-GMO, kosher, halal.
• Contained in BPA-free, recyclable jars.
• It can be purchased in interest-free installments from Amazon under certain conditions.
• Offers 20% discount on subscription.

Cons: 

• Not suitable for infants under one year of age.
• Avoid excessive boiling and heating.
• No concession on shipping costs.

Where to buy: 

• You can buy it from the official website for $41 (8.8 oz).
• Or, to save money, you may order it on Amazon as it costs $31.79 for 8.8 oz there.
• Or if you want to buy it from your local Walmart shop, then keep around $40.61 in your pocket.

2. New Zealand Honey Co. Raw Manuka Honey – Best For Everyday Use

CFU: N/A

Dosage: N/A

Probiotics Strains/Strains: N/A

Form/type: thick liquid

Certifications: 

• Displays the tested and certified Manuka gold leaf symbol.
• Non-GMO verified.
• Certified halal by the Federation of Islamic Associations of New Zealand (Inc).
• Certified glyphosate residue free by detoxproject.org.
• Has the certificate of UMF and MGO levels.

Storage: you should store it in a cool, dry place.

Cost: You have the option of buying it in three different sizes.

• A 4.4 oz jar will cost you $14.88.
• An 8.8 oz (12 servings) jar will come for $22.87
• But with a 12 cm spoon, the price would be $24.87.
• Lastly, a 17.6 oz (24 servings) jar will cost you $40.88.

The New Zealand Honey Co. takes pride in bottling only organic and raw honey that has a superior nutritional profile and embodies the true essence of bee-made goodness.

It contains bee pollens that are packed with antioxidants that will support your immune system. Plus, it has enzymes and fiber, which boost gut health, digestive processes, and macronutrients that promote the body’s optimal functioning.

But despite being unprocessed and unfiltered, this honey is tested for agrichemicals and impurities, which prevents any contaminants from finding their way into your body.

Moreover, this honey’s UMF and GMO rating makes it suitable for therapeutic uses and for supporting immune system function.

Pros: 

• Has a clean and sweet taste.
• Raw, pure, organic, natural, mono-floral manuka honey
• Has Fernmark accreditation.
• Has a UMF rating of 10+ and MGO rating of 263+
• Available on official websites, online stores, and retail stores.
• Traceable to the source.
• Halal, non-GMO, glyphosate free, kosher.
• You can save 10% on your purchases after subscribing to automatic delivery.
• Can be purchased in four interest-free installments.
• Contained in BPA-free, 100% recyclable PETE 1 packaging.
• Offers free delivery on orders over $50.

Cons

• Contains 70 calories per serving.
• Children below one year of age can’t take it.

Where to buy:

(The prices are consistent among all the stores)

• You may order it from the official website for $22.87 (8.8 oz).
• Or the Amazon store for the same price.
• But if you are in the mood for self-pickup, then you can easily find it at Walmart.

3. Comvita Raw Manuka Honey – Best For Soothing Digestive Support

CFU: N/A

Dosage: N/A

Probiotics Strains/Strains: N/A

Form/Type: Thick liquid

Certifications: 

• Has the gold leaf symbol that certifies New Zealand-made.
• Scientifically tested and certified for the UMF and MGO rating.
• Certified gluten-free.
• Verified as a non-GMO product.
• Assures packaging in BPA-free containers.

Storage: You should set it aside in a cool, humidity-free place.

Cost: You can purchase an 8.8 oz (12 servings) jar at a discounted price of $69.99. 

Comvita is one of New Zealand’s pioneering honey-making brands that has accumulated experience in the field for over four decades. It has also been employed in scientific studies.

You can capture the complete spectrum of gut-healthy components like beneficial oligosaccharides and amino acids with every scoop of honey that you steal from their jar.

Plus, its high UMF and MGO scores reflect its potency and strength to heal the gut and promote immune system function.

What sets Comvita apart is its commitment to preserving the honey’s natural goodness. 

It is neither heated nor preserved in artificial chemicals, which is why it retains its potent antibacterial properties contributed by the methylglyoxal content.

Pros: 

• Has a creamy texture.
• Raw, wild, unpasteurized mono-floral manuka honey
• Has the gold leaf symbol.
• Has a UMF rating of 18+ and an MGO rating of 696+.
• Available on official websites, online stores, and physical stores.
• Traceable from the 40000 beehives.
• Non-GMO, gluten-free, kosher.
• Contained in BPA-free jars.
• It is New Zealand’s pioneering honey brand that has been beekeeping since 1974.
• Offers free shipping.
• Has 30% off the official website.
• Amazon’s choice product.
• Can be purchased in interest-free installments from Amazon under certain conditions.

Cons: 

• Contains 60 calories per serving.
• Cannot be fed to children under 12 months of age.
• Color may vary in batches.

Where to buy: 

• You can visit the official website to buy it at a discounted price of $69.99 for 8.8 oz (free delivery).
• Or, for more savings, you can order it from Amazon for $63 (free delivery).
• Better yet, you can physically shop it at Walmart for approximately $66.94.

FAQs

How Does Honey Help Your Gut?

Honey primarily optimizes gut health with its prebiotic content. According to studies, when you ingest honey, the simple sugars in it are absorbed into the small intestine, whereas its non-digestible components, that is, the oligosaccharides, stay in the lower part of the intestines.

Here, these oligosaccharides promote gut health by stimulating the immune system, modulating the gut microbiota, and suppressing the growth of pathogens.

As a result, the gut microbiome is shifted to a healthier composition that includes a higher population of the probiotic Lactobacillus, Desulfovibrionales, and Bifidobacterium species.

But a comparatively lower diversity of the potentially pathogenic Bacteroides, Corynebacterium, and Proteus species.

Is Raw Honey Good For Gut Health?

Yes, raw honey contains enzymes, antioxidants, and prebiotics which nourish the healthy gut microbiome, aid digestion, and strengthen the immune system to fight potential pathogens. 

Is Manuka Honey Good For Gut Health?

Yes, the prebiotic fiber in manuka honey promotes gut health by feeding the population of probiotic Lactobacilli and Bifidobacterium species in the gut while simultaneously reducing the abundance of potentially pathogenic Bacteroides and Clostridium species.