Although there are many who are already familiar with Manuka's potent antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, and antioxidant effects, some are still not fully aware of how effective it is at enhancing other powerful wellness mechanisms. One great example of this is how Manuka honey uniquely interacts with yogurt and it's probiotics. When you mix real New Zealand Manuka honey into yogurt, you’re not just sweetening it, you’re transforming it into a symbiotic powerhouse. The science:
Manuka honey selectively stimulates the growth of probiotic strains like Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium in vitro. Its unique carbohydrate profile, primarily oligosaccharides and unrefined sugars, can be fermented by these bacteria, acting as a prebiotic. Unlike refined sugars, Manuka honey does not support the growth of pathogens such as Clostridium difficile. Essentially, these strains get a boost in growth and metabolic activity due to the honey's fermentable sugars while the Manuka supports the gut microbiota making the yogurt’s health effects more targeted.
Yogurt containing Manuka honey also had significantly higher counts of viable probiotics during refrigerated storage compared to control yogurt. Manuka honey's antioxidant and antimicrobial properties help reduce oxidative stress in the yogurt matrix, thereby preserving the probiotics and making them more effective for a longer time.
Manuka honey also increased antioxidant activity and enhanced antimicrobial properties of yogurt. With Manuka, the yogurt had higher total phenolic content and better inhibition against pathogens like E. coli and S. aureus. The phenolic compounds and methylglyoxal (MGO) in Manuka honey give yogurt extra bioactivity, making it more protective and functional in the gut. The selective antimicrobial properties of Manuka honey may help suppress harmful bacteria in the digestive tract while probiotics flourish. It enhances the nutraceutical profile of yogurt, making it not just a probiotic food but also a functional medicinal food.
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31963907/
https://researchspace.auckland.ac.nz/items/a5bba216-8a87-4673-a400-20a4a59ed652
https://www.mdpi.com/2076-3417/15/4/2210/xml
