What is MGO in Manuka Honey?

Manuka honey is one of the most valued and sorted types of honey worldwide as it’s known for its health benefits, its unique taste and creamy texture. 

While most honey has some level of antibacterial properties, Manuka honey is a cut above the rest due to its unique potent antibacterial effects.

This is attributed to a compound unique to Manuka honey, called Methylglyoxal (MGO), which is a key factor in the honey's therapeutic properties.

In this blog, we will investigate what MGO is, its role within Manuka honey, how it's measured, and what it means for those who want to consume the honey for its health benefits.

What Is Methylglyoxal (MGO)?

Methylglyoxal (MGO) is naturally occurring and plays a central role in the antibacterial and healing properties of Manuka honey. 

MGO is a natural compound and is a byproduct of the breakdown of certain sugars and carbohydrates, and its concentration is higher in Manuka honey compared to other types of honey. 

MGO forms in the nectar of the Manuka plant (Leptospermum scoparium), which is native to New Zealand and some parts of Australia. The compound is found in small trace amounts in some other types of honey, but its exceptional high levels found in Manuka honey gives it its unique health qualities.

MGO is part of a group of organically naturally occurring compounds known as aldehydes, which are known to possess antimicrobial properties.

How the MGO within Manuka honey works:

The antibacterial activity of Manuka honey is mainly due to the high concentrations of MGO. 

When consumed, or in some cases applied topically, the MGO interacts with bacteria in several unique ways:

Naturally Occurring Antioxidants

MGO has high amounts of naturally occurring antioxidant properties, which means it can attack and neutralise harmful free radicals. 

Free radicals are unstable molecules that can cause damage to healthy cells and are involved in various chronic diseases. 

These antioxidant properties of MGO may contribute to Manuka honey's healing effects on wounds and its potential in reducing inflammation.

Disruption of Bacterial Metabolism

MGO can affect and interfere with the normal metabolism of bacteria, which disrupts their ability to grow and reproduce. 

This negative effect on bacteria assists the immune system with combatting the bacteria and gives a quicker healing time and makes it more difficult for bacteria to survive.

Cytotoxic Effects 

The selective toxicity of the high amounts of naturally occurring MGO found in Manuka honey is non-toxic to humans, but can be toxic to bacteria and pathogens. This makes manuka an effective natural antimicrobial agent.

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The Role of MGO in Manuka Honey and its Healing Properties

The healing properties and therapeutic benefits of Manuka honey is widely recognised, particularly in the areas of wound care, gastrointestinal health and immune support. 

The naturally occurring high MGO content is one of the main reasons why Manuka honey is considered the most potent and effective compared to other types of honey for these purposes.

Gastrointestinal Health 

MGO in Manuka honey helps to reduce inflammation and soothe the gastrointestinal tract which helps provide relief from conditions like acid reflux, ulcers and gastritis. 

The honey’s antimicrobial properties may help in combating harmful bacteria, like Helicobacter pylori, which is often linked to gastric ulcers.

Skin Care and Wound Healing 

Manuka honey’s MGO content stimulates tissue regeneration, reduces infection risk, and maintains a moist environment, which is ideal for healing and has been shown to promote wound healing. 

MGO’s antibacterial properties make it particularly effective against a wide range of bacterial strains, including some that are resistant to conventional antibiotics.

Anti-inflammatory Effects

Manuka honey has anti-inflammatory properties that assists in the reduction of swelling and irritation, particularly in the digestive system and skin. 

MGO’s antioxidant properties further enhance the anti-inflammatory effects, making it a useful treatment for conditions like acne or eczema.

Immune Support

Due to its high levels of naturally occurring antioxidants, the compounds within the MGO content of Manuka honey attack the free radicals and disrupt the bacteria cell walls which assists the immune system in attacking these foreign bodies and give a quicker healing time. 

MGO Levels in Manuka Honey

The most defining feature of Manuka honey is its naturally high MGO content. 

Unlike most regular honeys, which may contain only trace amounts of MGO, Manuka honey typically contains between 30 and 1000 mg/kg of MGO, with some premium varieties containing potencies well above 1000 mg/kg. 

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These naturally occurring levels make Manuka more honey unique, therapeutic and beneficial.

Many factors go into Manuka’s labelling and rating of the honey and the MGO levels are used to grade and label Manuka honey. 

A common system for labelling Manuka honey’s potency involves the Unique Manuka Factor (UMF) rating, which is a measure of three key compounds: MGO, dihydroxyacetone (DHA), and leptosperin (which is only found in Leptospremum spp). 

These ratings are individually tested and rated and are only found in the nectar of Leptospermum scoparium.

While the UMF rating provides a good indication of the honey’s overall potency, MGO content is often cited separately on labels to give consumers a clear idea of its antibacterial strength.

The typical MGO ratings for Manuka honey include:

• MGO 30+ to 100+: Low to medium potency. Suitable for everyday use.
  
  
• MGO 250+ to 450+: Moderate potency. Often used for general health benefits.
  
  
• MGO 500+ to 800+: High potency. Ideal for more significant health conditions.
  
  
• MGO 1000+ and above: Very high potency. Used for more targeted therapeutic purposes, such as wound care and fighting bacterial infections.

How Does the MGO in Manuka Honey Compare to Other Honey?

While the high MGO levels is a key component of Manuka honey, it is important to have the knowledge and understanding that other types of honey also contain antibacterial compounds. 

Hydrogen peroxide for example is found in many other types of honey which gives regular honey its antimicrobial properties, but the MGO levels are not typically present in significant amounts in other honeys, making Manuka honey distinctive from other honeys and unique in its potency and wide range of medicinal and non-medicinal uses.

The high levels of the concentrations of MGO in Manuka honey can be many times higher than in other honeys. For example, some other honeys such as clover honey and acacia honey may contain trace amounts of MGO, which is why they do not exhibit the same powerful healing effects as Manuka honey and isn’t usually reflective on the labelling.

The Health Benefits High MGO in Manuka Honey

With so many health claims, you may be wondering if there is any scientific evidence to support these claims? 

Well, there have been numerous studies conducted to examine the therapeutic properties of Manuka honey, particularly focusing on its antibacterial activity due to MGO. 

Research has conclusively shown that high MGO levels can kill or inhibit the growth of a wide variety of bacteria and even certain fungi.

Wound Healing Studies

Several clinical studies have shown that Manuka honey is effective in promoting wound healing. A study published in the Journal of Wound Care found that Manuka honey helped to reduce infection and accelerate healing in patients with chronic wounds.

Digestive Health

Research has shown that Manuka honey can inhibit the growth of H. pylori, a bacterium that causes ulcers. Another study published in Phytotherapy Research highlighted Manuka honey’s ability to soothe the digestive tract and help manage symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS).

With naturally high concentrations of MGO in Manuka honey, Manuka honey is marketed as a natural remedy for a wide range of ailments. 

Some of the most common health benefits attributed to Manuka honey, due to its high MGO content, include:

Antibacterial and Antimicrobial Properties

MGO has been shown to kill antibiotic-resistant bacteria, which is a significant concern in modern medicine. Studies published in Antimicrobial Agents and Chemotherapy demonstrated that Manuka honey's MGO content could be effective against MRSA, a bacteria resistant to many common antibiotics. 

It’s also been shown to be effective against Escherichia coli (E. coli) which makes it a popular alternative for treating wounds, burns, and other skin infections.

Wound Healing

Manuka honey has been used in medical settings as a topical treatment for chronic wounds, ulcers, and burns. The MGO content accelerates the healing process by reducing infection and promoting tissue regeneration.

Gut Health

Manuka honey is often recommended for its ability to support digestive health.

The MGO content helps balance gut bacteria, reduces harmful bacteria like H. pylori, and may assist in healing ulcers and reducing symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS).

Skin Conditions

Because of its antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory effects, Manuka honey is often used in skin care products to treat conditions like acne, eczema, and psoriasis. 

MGO helps reduce inflammation and infection, allowing the skin to heal more effectively.

Boosting Immunity

Regular consumption of Manuka honey is thought to support the immune system. Its natural antioxidants, including MGO, help protect against oxidative stress, and its antibacterial properties may help ward off infections before they become serious.

Why MGO Levels matter in Manuka Honey

Based on this discussion there are many reasons why Manuka honey has many health benefits and is highly sorted after.

The naturally occurring levels of Methylglyoxal (MGO) in Manuka is the compound that sets Manuka honey apart from other types of honey in terms of its medicinal properties. 

These high levels of MGO give Manuka honey its potency and its antibacterial, anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects, which makes it an invaluable natural remedy for a variety of health conditions, ranging from wound care to digestive issues.

For health-conscious individuals, understanding the MGO levels and how they correlate with potency can help in selecting the right type of honey for your specific needs. 

Whether you are using it as a natural sweetener or for its therapeutic properties, MGO remains the key factor behind the exceptional qualities of Manuka honey and with the diverse applications of Manuka honey, the MGO and its potency is beneficial to improve health and wellbeing.