Shop Collagen
Get clinically proven results for your hair, skin, nails, joints and gut with collagen. Packed with powerful ingredients and offered in versatile powders, capsules or gummies.
Shop Organic SuperGreens
From clean energy and detox and digestion support to gut health and whole-body balance – our Organic SuperGreens products give you the benefits of juicing without the hassle.
Shop Protein
Discover superfood protein powders with easy-to-digest ingredients, designed to help you support your metabolism, build lean muscle and be greater than your goals.
Shop Gut Health
Put your gut health first. Our powerful probiotics, enzymes and supplements are designed to promote gut health and comfort, healthy digestive function and immune system support.
Shop Vitamins & Minerals
Designed to fill the gaps left by modern diets, our superfood formulas combine ancient techniques like fermentation with clinically proven ingredients for results you can really feel.
Shop Herbals
Explore targeted benefits like building a healthy immune defense, or overall benefits for a healthy life, from history’s most powerful superfood ingredients.
Shop Bundles
Save on intentionally paired supplements to help you achieve your goals. Whether you’re just getting started or well on your wellness journey, there’s a bundle for you.
Our Story
Ancient Nutrition is driven by our mission to bring history’s most powerful superfoods to the world with a steadfast commitment to restoring our farmlands and healing our planet through regenerative farming.
Home/Blog/New Zealand Manuka Honey: the Sweetener with Health Benefits
New Zealand Manuka Honey: the Sweetener with Health Benefits
By Jill Levy
September 7, 2020
Among the many types of honeys produced around the world, manuka honey is unique because it’s only found in New Zealand. It’s a source of vitamins, enzymes and antioxidants, and consuming it in even small-to-moderate amounts is, in general, a great way to support digestive, gut and immune health.
Like other types of high-quality honeys (such as raw, unpasteurized honey that’s made in your local community), manuka honey tastes delicious.
At Ancient Nutrition, we use manuka to naturally sweeten our Ancient Origins Grass-Fed Collagen products. It also makes a good addition to a variety of different recipes you probably already make at home, both sweet and savory.
Manuka honey is produced only in New Zealand by bees that pollinate the native manuka tree ().
This type of honey has been produced since the 1830s, when European honey bees made their way over to NZ. While its health-promoting properties have been known in traditional Maori health practices since this time (‘manuka’ is a Maori word and considered intellectual property of NZ), it wasn’t until the 1980s that manuka gained an international following — as researchers learned that manuka nectar held beneficial compounds.
Today, it’s used to help support overall health in several ways due to manuka’s impressive nutrient profile. Overall, it’s especially prized for its ability to promote a healthy immune system and healthy aging.
The health-promoting effects of honey depends on the specific type of honey, where it’s harvested and how it’s processed. Not only does raw/unpasteurized Manuka honey have an appealing taste, it provides an array of nutrients that can generally help support healthy immune function.
Manuka is especially high in compounds such as methylglyoxal (MGO) and hydrogen peroxide, as well as B vitamins, amino acids and certain trace minerals like calcium and copper. These compounds and nutrients have led manuka honey to be associated with a long list of health benefits.
Naturally occurring MGO is a key compound in manuka honey that makes it so different from other kinds of conventional honey, since MGO is believed to support the health of certain tissues and general metabolic function.
Raw manuka honey features:
Methylglyoxal (MGO)
Hydrogen peroxide
Amino acids
B vitamins (B6, thiamine, niacin, riboflavin, pantothenic acid)
Calcium
Copper
Iron
Magnesium
Manganese
Phosphorus
Potassium
Zinc
The amount of manuka honey that you should aim to consume as part of an overall diet ranges depending on both your nutritional needs and health goals. To make the most of its nutrient and carbohydrate content, it’s best to include it in your diet along with quality sources of protein, fiber and healthy fats.
Consuming manuka honey can increase your intake of immune-supporting nutrients, considering it’s high in antioxidants and other health-promoting compounds.
Below are some of the health benefits that have been associated with manuka honey:
Manuka can help to promote healthy digestion by supporting the growth of “friendly” probiotic bacteria in the gut and by potentially aiding in the normal production of stomach acid. This translates to support of healthy immune function and detoxification.
Manuka may help to promote health of the gums and teeth by aiding in the balance of “good guy” and “bad guy” bacteria living in the mouth and GI tract. Certain minerals found in raw honey such as calcium, zinc and phosphorus can also be supportive of healthy teeth.
Raw honey has long been used to help keep the skin healthy thanks to its antioxidant content and ability to keep “good guy” bacteria thriving, which supports the overall health of the skin.
Manuka can be used to promote restful deep sleep, thanks to its ability to release the glycogen needed for essential bodily functions during sleep. For the same reason, it can also be used prior to workouts and afterwards to supply the body with needed carbohydrates.
There are plenty of ways you can take advantage of manuka honey’s potential benefits, including by enjoying our new Ancient Origins Grass-fed Collagen products, which are made with ingredients entirely sourced from New Zealand.
Ancient Origins Grass-fed Collagen is available in three flavors: Chocolate Brownie, Honey Vanilla, and Golden Milk. All flavors are sweetened with real New Zealand manuka honey along with monk fruit to keep overall sugar content down.
Here are some of the key features of the manuka honey used in Ancient Origins Grass-fed Collagen:
Manuka honey powder
Produced and packed in New Zealand
Igen Non-GMO Certified
Made without antibiotics, glyphosate and pesticides, which are rarely used in NZ due to strict standards
Traceable “from hive to home,” meaning that beekeepers ensure its quality
Has a rich, earthy flavor, providing natural sweetness
How else can you use manuka honey at home? Try adding a bit to salad dressings or marinades to boost the flavor, or to your favorite smoothies, oatmeal or homemade “energy bites.” Additionally, manuka honey can be used in face masks and other skincare products to support overall skin health.
Jill Levy has been with the Dr. Axe and Ancient Nutrition team for seven years. She completed her undergraduate degree in Psychology from Fairfield University, followed by a certification as a Holistic Health Coach from the Institute for Integrative Nutrition. Jill takes a “non-diet” approach to health and really enjoys teaching others about mindful eating, intuitive eating and the benefits of eating real foods.
Related Articles
November 20, 2023
|recipes
Chocolate Chia Seed Pudding That's Also High in Fiber
A chia seed pudding is one of those healthy snacks that many of us, truth be told, have yet to make. Perhaps a chocolate version will convince you to give it a try? It’s worth it!
May 21, 2024
|recipes
Eggless Strawberry Ice Cream
Strawberries make a great flavor for so many desserts, such as strawberry shortcake. But for many, strawberry ice cream is where it’s at, for it's one of the most popular summer dessert recipes.
April 4, 2024
10 Edible Flowers: How to Use and Their Health Benefits
Edible flowers? Springtime is when flowers make their way onto the dining table as decoration, but as food? While we’re not talking about a flower sandwich or smoothie, many flowers do work well as flavor enhancers and as a colorful garnish — plus, most importantly, they may also contain some health benefits.
February 8, 2024
|health
Occasionally Get Tired After Eating? 4 Tips for Fighting It
You have a delicious lunch, go back to work but suddenly start yawning. What is going on? Hmm, well, if you occasionally feel tired after eating, you probably want to know if this is common and if there’s anything you should specifically do to help avoid this happening.