Manuka Honey and Scientific Research: What's Really True?
Manuka honey is often portrayed online as a miracle cure: good for your immune system, your digestion, your skin, and much more. At the same time, the Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority (NVWA) raised concerns in 2024: more than half of the investigated websites selling manuka honey contained claims that are not permitted. In this article, we summarize what is known from research, what the NVWA specifically found, and why you should take health claims about manuka honey with a large pinch of salt.
What is manuka honey?
Manuka honey is made from the nectar of the manuka bush, which grows mainly in New Zealand. This honey naturally contains methylglyoxal (MGO), a substance that is rarely or not found in regular honey. The MGO value on the label indicates how much of this substance is in the product: the higher the number, generally the higher the price. Curious about the difference between the strengths? Check out the overview of Manuka honey MGO 100+ to 1350+.
What does scientific research say?
There is laboratory research (in-vitro, meaning outside the body, in a petri dish) that shows that methylglyoxal can inhibit bacterial growth under controlled conditions. Such lab results cannot simply be translated into an effect in the human body, let alone an effect of consumption. Based on this type of research, manuka honey is used in some hospitals for external wound treatment, for example, for burns or infections that are difficult to treat, under medical supervision and in a very different form and dosage than honey from a jar. In 2016, a bowel infection in a Dutch hospital was even treated with the guidance of medical staff, with manuka honey as part of that treatment.
That is fundamentally different from eating or drinking honey at home. Research into the controlled, medically supervised application of manuka honey to a wound says nothing about what happens when you stir a spoonful of honey into your tea. For oral consumption, there is no scientifically recognized, EU-approved health claim for manuka honey. In other words: the fact that a substance shows an effect in a lab environment or under medical supervision does not mean that the same applies as soon as you eat it as a food product.
The NVWA investigation: more than half of claims misleading
In 2024, the NVWA investigated 38 websites selling manuka honey. They looked not only at product texts but also at blogs, customer reviews, photos, and videos on those same websites. The outcome: more than half of these websites used misleading claims, and 15 out of 38 websites even contained prohibited medical claims. Examples found by the NVWA included statements that manuka honey could fight the MRSA bacteria, or could be used for conditions like bronchitis or asthma.
The companies involved received an official warning or a fine and had to immediately adjust the texts on their websites. The NVWA conducts re-inspections in the period thereafter; if a violation persists, more severe measures follow.
Why health claims for manuka honey are not allowed
European legislation applies to food products: a health claim may only be used if it is scientifically substantiated and approved by the European Union. For manuka honey, there is currently no approved health claim. This means that statements like "supports the immune system" or "promotes digestion" simply cannot be used for this product, even if a company is convinced of it. If a claim were sufficiently substantiated, a producer could have it tested by the European food safety authority — as has happened before with, for example, margarine with a cholesterol-lowering effect. For manuka honey, that is not yet the case.
What should you look for when buying manuka honey?
- Is there an MGO value on the label? If not, you are essentially buying regular honey without the characteristic MGO concentration. For reference, check out the Manuka honey assortment, where the MGO value is always clearly stated for each product.
- Where does the honey come from? The manuka bush only grows in New Zealand and parts of Australia.
- Are any health or medical claims being made? Phrases like "cures," "fights," or "prevents" do not belong with a food product like manuka honey. If you encounter them, be extra critical.
- Is there a quality mark? A quality mark such as UMF (Unique Mānuka Factor) indicates the authenticity of the product, but is not proof of a health effect.
Frequently asked questions
Is manuka honey nonsense? No, but the way it is often sold frequently goes too far. Manuka honey is an authentic type of honey with a demonstrably higher MGO concentration than regular honey. However, it is not a medicine, and the commonly heard health promises for consumption are not scientifically recognized.
What does manuka honey do to your body? As a food product, manuka honey provides similar nutrients to other types of honey. Specific effects on your body when ingested are not supported by recognized health claims, despite what some sellers claim.
What should you look for with manuka honey? Pay attention to the MGO value on the label, the country of origin, and whether the seller refrains from making medical or health claims. The NVWA advises consumers to remain critical of such claims.
How do you know if you have real manuka honey? Check the MGO value on the label and the country of origin. An independent quality mark such as UMF can also help to confirm the authenticity of the product.
Conclusion
Manuka honey is a special, authentic type of honey with a higher MGO concentration than regular honey. But it is and remains honey, not medicine. Research into the application of methylglyoxal in, for example, wound care says nothing about the effects of eating a spoonful of honey. And as the NVWA showed in 2024, health claims about manuka honey are still too often used online without scientific substantiation or legal permission. So buy manuka honey primarily for its taste and origin, and be critical of any seller who promises it is more than honey. Looking for a reliable source with a clearly stated MGO value? Check out the Manuka honey assortment at Honingwinkel.nl.
Sources: NVWA, "More than half of manuka honey claims misleading" (November 18, 2024); KRO-NCRV Keuringsdienst van Waarde, "What is manuka honey and why is it so expensive?" (July 8, 2025).
