Among various foods, Manuka honey has recently become a subject of active academic research. In particular, the unique compound  methylglyoxal (MGO) found in high-activity Manuka honey has drawn significant attention for its strong antibacterial and antiviral properties.  This has led to its clinical use in medical institutions across Oceania, Europe, and North America, with numerous positive results being published and reported from various fields. Notably, viral infections that do not respond well to conventional medications have become a major focus of interest.

MGO is present in all foods that are made up of cells. For example, coffee and cocoa, which are among the most common foods, contain about  40mg/kg of MGO. In contrast, Strong Manuka Honey MGO860+ contains more than 21 times the amount at 860mg/kg, while MGO1050+ exceeds  this by over 26 times, making it a unique natural food with an exceptionally high concentration of MGO. When compared to the phenol dilution solution used as a benchmark for disinfectants, MGO860+ demonstrates a 31% or higher disinfectant  strength, and MGO1050+ shows an even more remarkable 37% or higher. This indicates the strong antibacterial power of these honey varieties (active strength = phenol dilution %). *The actual MGO values are indicated in the accompanying analysis report.

Strong Manuka Honey possesses an extraordinary antibacterial power, as indicated by its MGO content, which is 37% of the strength of phenol  solution. If phenol solution at this concentration were ingested, it would cause serious harm. However, Strong Manuka Honey works through  a completely different mechanism (killing, bacteriostatic, and antiviral actions) and does not cause any harm to the body. The strong antibacterial and antiviral properties of Strong Manuka Honey hold significant promise for the treatment and prevention of chronic  diseases and conditions that are difficult to manage, offering great potential for natural health benefits.

The unique component of Manuka Honey, methylglyoxal (MGO), has strong antibacterial and antiviral properties as mentioned earlier. However,  its selective toxicity—meaning it acts as a toxin only against harmful bacteria—works in a way that is specific to certain conditions. Beneficial  bacteria and normal cells are protected because they produce Glyoxalase I and II, enzymes that break down MGO into harmless lactic acid, neutralizing its toxic effects. On the other hand, harmful bacteria that thrive in alkaline environments (where these enzymes are produced less) are killed by MGO. Additionally,  abnormal cells are targeted and undergo apoptosis (cell death), leading to their destruction. This selective action makes MGO a powerful tool for  promoting health while being safe for the body’s normal cells.

(*1) Apoptosis is a programmed cell death mechanism actively triggered to maintain the overall health of an organism. It is a regulated  Apoptosis is the opposite of necrosis. MGO is a substance that exhibits toxicity to all proteins. Since bacteria, viruses, and other pathogens are all composed  of proteins, they become particularly vulnerable to MGO’s effects.  In this regard, MGO’s action is similar to pharmaceutical drugs.

However, a significant difference from drugs is that the toxicity of MGO is limited, and as mentioned earlier, it is suggested that beneficial  bacteria and host (human) cells (normal cells) possess enzymes that neutralize MGO. Therefore, unlike drugs, there are no side effects or  the emergence of drug-resistant bacteria or drug-resistant cancer cells. MGO has been discovered for over 50 years, but many aspects remain  unexplained, and future research is awaited. In this way, natural active substances have been passed down from parent to child, and only  the beneficial ones have remained, with scientific clarification always coming afterwards.

■Reference:　About MGO　 – Strong MANUKA HONEY