Is Manuka Honey 100+ Good for You? An MGO Guide

December 28, 2025 •

4 min read

Manuka honey is known for its unique antibacterial properties, primarily attributed to the naturally occurring compound methylglyoxal (MGO). An MGO 100+ rating indicates the honey contains at least 100 milligrams of MGO per kilogram, offering a moderate level of beneficial activity.

Quick Summary

This guide explains the potential benefits of Manuka honey with an MGO 100+ rating, including its use for daily wellness, immune support, and digestive health. It also compares this grade with more potent options and offers practical usage tips.

Key Points

Moderate Potency: An MGO 100+ rating signifies a moderate level of antibacterial activity, making it a good choice for daily wellness rather than potent medicinal use.
Cost-Effective Option: MGO 100+ Manuka honey is more affordable than higher-rated versions, making it a budget-friendly way to incorporate its benefits into your routine.
Immune and Digestive Support: The honey can be used daily to support immune function and promote better digestive and gut health.
Soothing a Sore Throat: Its thick, soothing texture and antibacterial properties are effective for relieving symptoms of a sore throat or cough.
Not for Severe Conditions: For serious infections or wound healing, higher medical-grade Manuka honey is recommended, not MGO 100+.
Check for Certifications: Always look for MGO or UMF certification on the label to ensure the product is authentic Manuka honey from New Zealand.

What is Manuka Honey and the Significance of MGO?

Manuka honey is a monofloral honey produced by bees that collect nectar from the native New Zealand Leptospermum scoparium (Manuka) bush. While all raw honey has some level of antibacterial activity due to hydrogen peroxide, Manuka honey contains an additional, more stable antibacterial component: methylglyoxal (MGO). The MGO rating on a jar indicates the minimum amount of this compound present, measured in milligrams per kilogram (mg/kg). This grading system is crucial for distinguishing Manuka honey from regular honey and for determining its potency.

A product with a MGO 100+ rating is certified to contain at least 100 mg/kg of methylglyoxal. This represents an entry-level or moderate potency, making it suitable for general, everyday wellness applications. Higher-rated Manuka honeys, such as MGO 550+ or MGO 850+, are considered more potent and are typically reserved for targeted or specific health concerns.

Potential Benefits of MGO 100+ Manuka Honey

While not as powerful as its higher-grade counterparts, MGO 100+ Manuka honey still offers valuable health benefits when incorporated into a daily routine.

Immune System Support: The moderate antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties of MGO 100+ can help support a healthy immune system, providing a layer of protection against everyday infections. Taking a spoonful a day can be a part of a proactive wellness strategy, especially during flu season.
Sore Throat Relief: As with other honeys, MGO 100+ Manuka honey is effective at soothing a sore or scratchy throat. Its thick, viscous texture coats the throat, providing comfort, while its antibacterial action may help fight the bacteria causing the discomfort.
Digestive Health: Manuka honey has prebiotic qualities that can support a healthy gut by promoting beneficial bacteria. Regularly consuming MGO 100+ honey can aid in soothing digestive issues like indigestion or acid reflux.
Natural Energy Boost: Like all honey, Manuka is a natural sweetener rich in fructose and glucose, providing a more sustained release of energy compared to refined sugar. It's a great option for athletes or anyone needing a natural boost of vitality.
General Wellbeing: For those new to Manuka honey, MGO 100+ is an excellent and cost-effective starting point to experience the general health benefits. Its balanced potency and flavor make it easy to incorporate into daily meals or drinks.

How Does 100+ Manuka Honey Compare to Higher Grades?

The primary difference between a MGO 100+ Manuka honey and a higher-rated honey is the concentration of methylglyoxal, which directly correlates with its antibacterial strength. This affects both its potential therapeutic applications and its price.


Feature	MGO 100+ Manuka Honey	MGO 550+ / 850+ Manuka Honey
Potency	Moderate. Suitable for daily wellness and minor ailments.	High to very high. Intended for targeted, potent antibacterial support.
Best for	Daily immune support, soothing minor sore throats, general digestive health.	Targeted relief for more severe symptoms, advanced wound care (with medical-grade product), persistent digestive issues.
Cost	More affordable and budget-friendly.	Significantly more expensive due to higher potency and rarity.
Taste	Generally milder and sweeter.	Often has a more intense, earthy, and sometimes bitter flavor.

Practical Uses and Important Considerations

Oral Consumption for Daily Health: For general immune and digestive support, taking a teaspoon or two of MGO 100+ Manuka honey daily is a popular practice. It can be eaten straight from the spoon, added to warm (not boiling) tea or water, drizzled over toast or yogurt, or blended into a smoothie.

For Sore Throats and Coughs: When a scratchy throat or cough strikes, taking a spoonful of Manuka honey can provide soothing relief. Some find that slowly savoring the honey allows it to coat the throat effectively.

Topical Application (Minor Skin Concerns Only): While medical-grade, sterilized Manuka honey with a high MGO rating is used in clinical settings for advanced wound care, MGO 100+ can be used for minor skin issues. For example, as part of a DIY facemask, its antibacterial properties can help with acne and general skin health, while its hydrating nature can moisturize dry skin. However, any significant wounds or skin infections should be evaluated by a healthcare professional.

Important Precautions:

Infant Botulism: Honey should never be given to infants under 12 months old due to the risk of infant botulism.
Diabetes and Blood Sugar: Like all honey, Manuka is high in natural sugars. Individuals with diabetes or those monitoring blood sugar should consult a healthcare professional before regular use.
Allergies: Those with an allergy to bees or pollen should exercise caution, as they may experience an allergic reaction.

Conclusion

In conclusion, Manuka honey with an MGO 100+ rating is a genuinely beneficial and versatile product for daily wellness. While it doesn't possess the powerful, targeted antibacterial strength of its higher-grade relatives, it provides a moderate and cost-effective source of MGO. Its applications for immune support, soothing sore throats, and aiding digestive health make it a worthwhile addition to a wellness-focused lifestyle. By understanding the distinction in potency and adhering to important safety precautions, consumers can confidently use MGO 100+ Manuka honey to enhance their overall health.

Is 100+ Manuka Honey an effective medical treatment?

For serious medical conditions, especially advanced wound care and infections like MRSA, higher-grade, medical-quality Manuka honey is typically used under professional supervision. MGO 100+ is a great option for general wellness and minor ailments, but not a replacement for medical treatment.

Is the MGO 100+ rating an indicator of authenticity?

Authentic Manuka honey sourced from New Zealand will carry a MGO rating certified by independent labs. However, the UMF (Unique Manuka Factor) is often considered a more comprehensive certification as it tests for additional markers, guaranteeing purity and origin. Always check for certification on the label to ensure authenticity.

Frequently Asked Questions

MGO (methylglyoxal) is a direct measure of one of the main antibacterial compounds in Manuka honey. UMF (Unique Manuka Factor) is a more comprehensive system that measures multiple signature compounds, providing a broader guarantee of authenticity, origin, and potency.

While honey has wound-healing properties, medical-grade, sterilized Manuka honey with higher MGO ratings is used for clinical wound care. MGO 100+ is generally suitable for minor skin issues like dry patches or as a DIY face mask ingredient, but a doctor should be consulted for significant wounds.

You can take it by the spoonful, stir it into warm drinks, or drizzle it over foods like toast, oatmeal, and yogurt. For sore throats, allowing it to slowly dissolve in your mouth can be especially soothing.

Most people can safely consume it, but it should never be given to infants under 12 months old due to the risk of botulism. Individuals with diabetes or a bee allergy should consult a healthcare professional before use.

Properly stored Manuka honey will last a very long time. The MGO content and potency are stable over time, and authentic products with a UMF rating are tested to ensure their potency will last for the duration of the shelf life.

Genuine Manuka honey is sourced exclusively from the nectar of the native Manuka bush (Leptospermum scoparium) in New Zealand and parts of Australia. The label should indicate its country of origin.

NPA is a measurement system that indicates the honey's antibacterial potency from its MGO content, not from hydrogen peroxide, which is present in regular honeys. MGO 100+ Manuka honey often corresponds with an NPA 5+ rating.