Sunday May 3, 2009
Outstanding honey
Packed with antibacterial properties, Manuka honey has certified health benefits.
HAVE you ever wondered where the term “honeymoon” was derived?
Well, the term was coined after the Babylonians, who declared mead, a honey-flavoured wine, the official wedding drink, stipulated that the bride’s parents be required to keep the groom supplied with the drink for the month following the wedding.
But that’s not all that honey is good for. Scientists around the world have found out that honey has many health benefits.
It seems that most people tend to treat honey as a sweetener, but that hardly is the case.
Never spoils: Vistern Health Sdn Bhd marketing manager Annie Ng showing the Manuka honey at the Honey Mart outlet in the AEON AUZ shopping centre at Mukim Ulu Klang. Just like wine, the taste of honey is influenced by the environment it is cultivated in. So that means that honey actually can add depth as well as sweetness to your food.
Alfalfa, Avocado, Blueberry, Buckwheat, Clover, Orange Blossom, Sage, Tupelo and Wildflower - these are the most common honey floral varieties.
One particular honey which stands out is Manuka honey, which has reliable anti-bacterial activity that withstands being subjected to heat, light or enzymes in body fluids.
In early 1990s, University of Waikato professor Dr Peter Molan developed a test to measure non-peroxide anti-bacterial activity which compares the honey’s anti-bacterial strength to a common disinfectant. Thus, the term UMF (Unique Manuka Factor) was coined to describe this activity.
Through the test, he revealed that UMF 10 Manuka honey has the same anti-bacterial strength as a 10% solution of a disinfectant.
UMF is an antibacterial property naturally present in some strains of Manuka honey. It is about the only standard used worldwide to identify and measure the antibacterial strength of Manuka honey.
The UMF factor is a guarantee that the honey has the special antibacterial property. This type of Manuka honey is called UMF Manuka Honey. The antibacterial strength of the UMF Manuka honey varies and a rating indicates the strength of its antibacterial properties.
A UMF 10 rating is the minimum to qualify for the use of the UMF factor. Such a rating is suitable for treating infections. The higher the UMF rating, the greater is the antibacterial strength of a particular honey.
Another test done in 2006 by the research group of Professor Thomas Henle at the University of Dresden identified the naturally-occurring compound methylglyoxal as the dominant anti-bacterial constituent of Manuka honey.
Simply put, 100mg methylglyoxal per kilogramme of honey is represented as MGO 100 Manuka honey. This has the same anti-bacterial activity as UMF 10.
So if you see the MGO label, you will be able to easily distinguish Manuka honey, which has health benefits, from others which are merely table honey.
Honey Mart, which is a subsidiary of Eu Yan Sang, has many honey products, including Manuka honey. The company is currently having an offer exclusive to readers of The Star from today until May 17. For more information on the promotion, check out the coupon on page 7 of today’s Sunday Metro or log on to www.purehoney2u.com.
Honey should be stored at 21°C to 27°C (70°F to 80°F) in a dry cupboard. Ensure that the cap is on tight to maintain its quality.
Honey and water mixture should always be taken on an empty stomach. Honey and lemon also removes tiredness and decreases cholesterol.
It tends to crystallise naturally over time. Dissolve crystals by placing a jar in warm water or by microwaving (One cup honey, uncovered for two minutes, stirring every 30 seconds).
For easy measuring, coat the spoon or cup with vegetable-oil spray first.
Substituting honey for sugar, especially in baked goods is pretty complicated, so perhaps you’d like to start with recipes that are formulated for honey.
Tips Manuka honey health benefits
1. Manuka Honey has natural antibacterial, antimicrobial, antiviral, antioxidant, antiseptic, anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties.
2. Manuka Honey creates a moist healing environment that allows new skin cells to grow across a healing wound, preventing deformity of the skin and scaring.
3. Manuka Honey rapidly clears infection by destroying bacteria.
4. Manuka Honey repairs damaged skin and regenerates new skin growth.
5. Manuka Honey hastens the healing process.
6. Manuka Honey stimulates the formation of new blood capillaries and the growth of fibroblasts that replace the connective tissue of the deeper layer of the skin and produce the collagen fibers that give strength to the repair;
7. Manuka Honey has an anti-inflammatory action that relieves pain.
8. Manuka Honey is all-natural and organic.
9. Manuka Honey has no known side effects.
10. Manuka Honey stimulates the growth of tissue involved in the healing process.
Did you know?
l Honey is 25% sweeter than table sugar.
l Honey is the only food that never spoils.
l Honey is the only food produced by insects.
l The term “honeymoon” derived from drinking mead (honey-flavoured wine) for a month (moon) after weddings.
l Honey is mentioned in the Bible.
l Honey was found in King Tut’s tomb.
l You can substitute honey instead of sugar in your favorite recipes.
l The antioxidant called “pinocembrin” is only found in honey.
l Honey can be used on cuts and burns instead of over-the-counter medicines.
l Honey is used in many beauty products because it’s a natural humectant (it retains moisture).
l Honey is used in many sports products because it gives you a natural energy boost.
l Honey has heart-healthy antioxidants. Different flavors, such as Buckwheat, have even higher levels.
l Honey is naturally fat free and cholesterol free, so eat up!
l Tupelo honey is the only kind that never crystalises.
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