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Manuka honey is native to New Zealand and produced by bees pollinating the Manuka bush (Leptospermum scoparium). This specific origin is what gives Manuka honey its particular benefits and what has made it a popular ingredient for medicated confectionery options in recent years.
What are the main medicinal properties of Manuka honey and how are medicated confectionery companies taking advantage of these benefits? We take a look through this short guide about medical manuka honey.
Why you should consider Manuka honey for medicated confectionery
Led by an increased interest in natural remedies, medicated confectionery that includes natural products, herbal extracts or vitamins is on the rise. These solutions stand out as popular remedies for treating certain mild conditions. Including minor throat irritations, congestions or oral health issues.
In this context, formulations for medicated confectionery are putting a renovated focus on Manuka honey’s extraordinary healing properties. In fact, a total of 107 new medicated confectionery references were launched in 2021 in Europe and 10% of them contained Manuka honey.
This is due to the perfect alignment between the most common uses of medicated confectionery and the medical benefits of Manuka honey, which is known to contribute to oral and throat health as well as enhancing the functions of the immune system.
Medical benefits of Manuka honey
Antibacterial, antiviral and antimicrobial
Due to its specific origin, Manuka honey exhibits the strongest antibacterial and antimicrobial and antiviral properties among all honey types.
This has made it a much sought-after ingredient for healing purposes, including wound healing since ancient times. Current scientific research has confirmed the following successful medical applications:
- When treating a sore throat, Manuka honey attacks the bacteria that cause pain and, additionally, helps reduce inflammation
- Manuka honey has also been shown to fight bacteria related to upper respiratory infections
However, not all Manuka honey products are created equal. The active responsible for its antimicrobial, antiviral and antibacterial benefits is called Methylglyoxal, and its presence acts as a marker for Manuka honey’s activity and its potency.
The UMF (Unique Manuka Factor) rating reflects the concentration of MGO: a minimum rating of 10 UMF marks is considered therapeutic in Manuka honey products.
Anti-inflammatory
Manuka honey presents exceptional anti-inflammatory properties, which translate into additional benefits:
- It’s been associated to decrease inflammation associated with acne
- It helps improve the digestive system’s overall health, also preventing stomach ulcers. Research has also shown progress in reducing symptoms in some types of inflammatory bowel disease.
Oral health benefits
Among the different Manuka honey medical uses, it’s been successfully implemented in treatments targeting halitosis and dental plaque, significantly reducing both oral health issues.
Scientific research has also proven this honey’s antibacterial activity is effective at counteracting certain harmful oral bacteria linked to gingivitis.
Immune system properties
While many immune system processes originate at the stomach, the probiotic and prebiotic effects of Manuka honey provide an improvement in the body’s capacity for immune reactions and thus provide an immune activating effect.
This is enhanced by other medicinal properties of Manuka honey delineated above, such as this ingredient’s exceptional inhibitory activity against viruses, harmful microbes and bacteria.
Manuka honey: market research
Recent years have seen an overall surge of honey use in consumers’ buying behavior, propelled by the current preference for natural and organic remedies. In fact, the surge of honey was documented by market intelligence experts Mintel as far as 2007.
This study that also highlighted the boost in sales was partly caused by a Manuka honey boom, perceived as a “superfood”.
Current market research and intelligence points towards a continuity and growth in the use and applications of this ingredient, guided by consumers’ increased information about the medical benefits of Manuka honey.
Today, Manuka honey is used in many applications and products including toothpaste, snacks, cereals, deodorants, creams, shampoo or wound patches, to cite only a few.
In such a context, the medicated confectionery industry has also echoed this growing interest. As we cited above, 10% of the new medicated confectionery references launched in 2021 included Manuka honey. This means the penetration of Manuka honey has increased in a year.
Companies are making the most out of this ingredient’s medicinal properties, the following being the top 5 claims that accompany medicated confectionery containing Manuka honey:
- Functional – Immune System
- Natural
- Ethical & Environmental
- Suitable for
- Plus
While less used, other claims related to Manuka honey include “premium”, “anti-bacterial”, “vitamin/mineral fortified” and “on-the-go”.
Additionally, market research confirms the medicated confectionery industry’s preference for honey-related ingredients, as Manuka honey is often paired up with propolis to boost consumer’s interest and trust as well as the product’s benefits.
All in all, research shows Manuka honey represents a wise choice for product development in the current medicated confectionery industry.
HoneyGreen+ is the best wholesale supplier
At HoneyGreen+ we’re committed to providing the highest-quality wholesale natural ingredients to our clients, including our first-class Manuka honey ingredients. We offer formats such as 15Kg and 300Kg drums of manuka honey in bulk.
Download our free Manuka honey catalog and learn more about this ingredient’s history, its main benefits and the current trends shaping the medicinal market which make it align with this extraordinary honey.
If you need more information or if you are looking for manuka honey wholesale suppliers, contact our specialized team by filling out the form on this link.
