Mānuka honey is known for its incredible antibacterial and antibiotic properties, which come not just from the peroxide activity found in all raw honey, but also from additional non-peroxide activity (NPA). The NPA in manuka honey comes from three organic compounds that are found in high concentrations in mānuka honey: methylglyoxal (MGO), dihydroxyacetone (DHA), and 5-hydroxymethylfurfural (HMF). MGO is considered the 'active' compound in mānuka honey and is not deactivated by the body on consumption, making mānuka honey more beneficial than honeys with a lower MGO concentration.

Mānuka honey is especially high in MGO thanks to the high concentration of DHA in mānuka nectar, which gets converted into MGO during the process of making the honey.

The ratings systems for mānuka honey can be a bit daunting, with a mix of symbols, letters, and numbers, and of course there's always the temptation to assume that bigger is better. So what do MGO and UMF ratings actually mean?

Real mānuka honey will always come with an MGO content rating. Usually this rating is shown as something like MGO 100+. This means that there are 100 mg of MGO per kg of mānuka honey. Ideally, this rating will come from an independent laboratory (not the company you are buying from). Theoretically, all honey labeled in New Zealand for export as mānuka honey must be tested by a New Zealand Ministry for Primary Industries lab for the mānuka pollen and the four chemicals from the mānuka nectar.

UMF is a private ratings system from which beekeepers or companies can purchase a license to display the UMF rating on their packaging. Both MGO and UMF are, at heart, grading systems to tell you how potent the MGO content is in this particular batch of honey.

Bigger is not always better when it comes to the MGO content of your mānuka honey and the MGO rating system has nothing to do with purity and everything to do with the concentration of mānuka honey's 'active ingredient': MGO. A rating of 60+ is suitable for everyday use. For immune support, look for a rating of 100+. If you are searching for digestive and health support or topical applications for skin, look for a rating of 200+. Ratings of 500+ are mostly suitable for specific skin conditions such as eczema or rosacea.

Mānuka honey is especially high in antibiotic and antibacterial properties thanks to high concentrations of MGO.

Mānuka honey may be used to support immune health, sooth digestive issues, soothe skin conditions, heal wounds, relieve coughs and improve oral health.