Diabetes And Manuka Honey

It has long been believed that honey is a healthier substitute for sugar. Iron, magnesium, potassium, and many other vitamins and minerals, as well as various antioxidants that are good for the body, are just a few of its many healthful qualities. Furthermore, only in the United States, there are over 300 distinct varieties of honey. The type of nectar or the method of harvesting distinguishes each variety.

You can use honey to fulfill your sweet taste and desires even though it’s a healthier alternative because it contains a significant amount of carbohydrates. These honey varieties include, but are not limited to, clover, avocado, sage, orange blossom, alfalfa, ulmo, honeydew, cotton, manuka, and many more. Furthermore, each honey has a different nutritional value.

The Leptospermum scoparium, also referred to as the Manuka bush in New Zealand, is the source of the name Manuka honey. It is one of the most advantageous and powerful varieties of honey, and when you consider its antibacterial qualities, it is the source of the nectar from which it is made.

Since studies have proven that it is superior to other varieties of honey due to its various health benefits, particularly its antibacterial characteristics, it has become the most widely utilized variety of honey.

Given the increased risk of consequences such as foot ulcers, chronic inflammation, and the like, many have questioned if manuka honey is the healthiest alternative to sugar for diabetics. Index Glycemic of Manuka Honey

The rate at which food’s carbs are digested and absorbed into the bloodstream from the stomach ranges from zero to one hundred on the Glycemic Index. The three categories of the Glycemic Index are low, moderate, and high glycemic foods, which order foods from most secure to least secure, respectively.

Foods with a low GI score fall between zero and fifty-five, foods with a medium GI score fall between 56 and 69, and those with a high GI score fall between 70 and 100.

When compared to sugar, which has a glycemic index of 65, all varieties of honey typically have a lower glycemic index. The glycemic index of manuka honey is 57, which places it in the medium range and quite close to the low category. This suggests that even while it raises blood sugar levels, it is still preferable to processed sugars and can be ingested in moderation.

MGO Content of Honey from Manuka

Anaerobic glycolysis produces methylglyoxal, also referred to as propanol, a naturally occurring metabolite in the body. The primary cause of manuka honey’s potent antibacterial qualities is this substance.

It’s a wonderful chemical, but like everything else, excessive amounts of it can be hazardous. But the process of transforming a manuka honey component known as dihydroxyacetone (DHA) yields methylglyoxal.

Due to an overabundance of sugar in their blood, people with diabetes typically have high MGO contents since the chemical is created during the breakdown of carbohydrates. High doses of manuka honey consumption raise the body’s concentration of MGO.

Research has indicated that an overabundance of this substance in a diabetic typically leads to a variety of difficulties related to diabetes, such as problems with the kidneys, heart, eyes, and other organs.

Additionally, an overabundance of MGO in the body is linked to ageing, problems connected to aging, oxidative stress, protein malfunction, and the generation of advanced glycation end products (AGEs), which in turn causes chronic inflammation.

Does the Level of Blood Sugar Affect Manuka Honey?

Since manuka honey has a glycemic index of 57, it is a natural source of sugar and carbohydrates and therefore is expected to affect blood sugar levels, albeit not as much as sugar. This is despite the fact that manuka honey has anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial properties that make it extremely beneficial to diabetics.

For this reason, you should take manuka honey in smaller amounts if you’re thinking about replacing sugar in your diet.

Furthermore, studies on manuka honey have demonstrated that honey typically influences insulin production and that consuming it raises blood levels of C-peptide, which is produced during the insulin production process.

Minimize the amount of manuka honey you use to sweeten your diet if you want to get the benefits of its various health benefits. Blood sugar control is one way to do this. It only takes one to two teaspoons. Thankfully, honey has a higher sweetness than sugar, so you may use less of it to achieve the same effect as you would with refined sugar.

Manuka Honey’s Effect on Cardiovascular Health

Antioxidants included in manuka honey have been shown to have a number of positive effects on heart health and function.

People with diabetes usually have a higher risk of cardiovascular disease because of the damage that continuous blood sugar rises do to the heart and blood arteries. Additionally, high blood pressure and high cholesterol are risk factors for heart attacks, strokes, and other conditions that are common in patients with diabetes.

Antioxidants included in manuka honey, such as flavonoids and phenolic acids, help lower blood pressure and cholesterol levels, shield the heart from oxidative stress, and enhance cell health, all of which contribute to better heart health and function.

Manuka Honey’s Impact on Complications of Diabetes

Manuka honey contains anti-inflammatory qualities and is high in antioxidants including flavonoids and phenolic acids, which can lower the risk of a number of problems from diabetes.

For example, when it comes to chronic inflammation, individuals with diabetes are typically more vulnerable to it since their bodies interpret high blood sugar levels as alien and dangerous substances. This triggers the immune system, causing inflammation to continue longer than usual; nevertheless, honey’s anti-inflammatory qualities help prevent chronic inflammation.

In addition to lowering the risk of atherosclerosis, high blood pressure, heart issues, and other linked illnesses, including cancer, these antioxidants also aid in the general improvement of neurons and blood vessels. Additionally, they combat free radicals, lowering the possibility of oxidative cell damage and preserving your general well-being.

While it is a good thing that manuka honey lowers the risk of high blood pressure, it can also produce extremely low blood pressure, or hypotension, which is very harmful to persons who have diabetes. When severe symptoms like chest pains, fainting, or falls occur, symptoms including dizziness, weariness, nausea, fast or irregular heartbeat, fatigue, and blurred vision can be noticed.

Read Also: Everything About Metformin You Should Know

Manuka Honey And Weight Gain

Honey contains calories, sugar, and carbs, all of which might interfere with your weight loss efforts or lead to weight gain. Most diabetic issues advance more slowly when weight is lost, which is why diabetic patients are typically encouraged to maintain a healthy weight. Conversely, gaining weight exacerbates your illness and raises your insulin resistance.

The advantages of manuka honey are also affected by obesity, since obesity raises the risk of heart disease, high blood pressure, and elevated levels of bad cholesterol (LDL), which impairs the body’s ability to utilise the nutritional components found in manuka honey.

Things to Think About When Purchasing Manuka Honey

When purchasing manuka honey, make sure to look for the UMF (unique manuka factor) on the label. This indicates how much MGO and dihydroxyacetone (which is converted to form MGO) are in that specific bottle of honey. Additionally, the range consists of:

• Scores of 0 to 4 indicate the absence of the compound or very little of it.

• 5 to 9: there are some low levels

• 10 to 15: There are functional levels

• 16: a significant and elevated quantity is present

The lowest grade is the safest, but you won’t be able to benefit from this honey’s antibacterial properties in such case. However, because the brands with the highest MGO content are generally the least processed, meaning they also have the maximum concentration of minerals and other nutrients typically present in manuka honey, they are typically regarded as the safest to purchase.

In summary

Both those with and without diabetes can benefit from manuka honey’s many health benefits, including those for the skin and face. However, if you incorporate it in your diet in any way, please do so in moderation.

Furthermore, a number of people will concur that even though manuka honey has numerous health advantages, diabetics shouldn’t use it as their primary sweetener because other foods also include these advantages.

Particularly given that MGO shouldn’t be in excess in human bodies regardless of one’s health or relative to others, the high methylglyoxal content presents a risk. This chemical is typically seen in higher concentrations in individuals with diabetes. Although the rewards could be substantial, I don’t think the danger is worth it.

However, consult your healthcare provider before deciding to include manuka honey in your diet. They are ideally suited to advise you on what is effective or ineffective for you because they are well-versed in every aspect of your health. Additionally, avoid all honey if you have a bee or honey allergy; other sweeteners will still function just as well.