Is Stronger Manuka Honey Better for Your Health?

December 8, 2025 •

4 min read

Manuka honey contains the unique compound methylglyoxal (MGO), a potent antibacterial agent not found in the same high concentrations in other honeys. This unique property, which increases with the honey's strength, raises a common question: is stronger Manuka honey always the best choice?

Quick Summary

The potency of Manuka honey, indicated by MGO and UMF ratings, determines its therapeutic effects and cost. Higher grades offer stronger antibacterial properties for targeted health support and topical use, while lower grades are suitable for general wellness and everyday culinary use.

Key Points

Strength Increases Potency: Higher MGO or UMF ratings in Manuka honey correspond to a stronger concentration of the active antibacterial compound, methylglyoxal.
Price vs. Purpose: The most potent Manuka honey is also the most expensive; therefore, choosing the right strength depends on your intended use, balancing cost with therapeutic need.
Consider the Application: Lower-grade Manuka is great for daily wellness and culinary use, while high-grade is more effective for targeted medicinal applications like wound care or severe sore throats.
UMF Offers Broader Assurance: The UMF certification is a more comprehensive indicator of quality and authenticity than MGO alone, testing for multiple signature compounds unique to Manuka honey.
Verify Authenticity: Due to counterfeits, always check for genuine certification logos (like UMF™) and confirmation that the honey is from a reputable source in New Zealand or Australia.
Flavor Changes with Strength: Higher-grade Manuka honey tends to have a more robust, earthy, and less sweet taste compared to the milder, sweeter flavor of lower-grade varieties.
Not a Cure-All: While Manuka honey has many benefits, it should not be considered a miracle cure for serious medical conditions without professional medical advice.

Decoding the Manuka Honey Grading Systems

When you see a jar of Manuka honey, you will notice different labels, most commonly MGO and UMF. Understanding these grading systems is the key to knowing if a stronger product is right for you.

MGO (Methylglyoxal)

MGO is a naturally occurring compound that is responsible for Manuka honey's potent and stable antibacterial activity. The MGO number on a jar indicates the concentration of methylglyoxal in milligrams per kilogram (mg/kg). A higher MGO number means a higher concentration of this active compound.

MGO 100+: Everyday use for general wellness.
MGO 300+: Moderate support for seasonal wellness.
MGO 550+: High-strength for targeted support and immune function.
MGO 850+ and higher: Premium-grade for intensive, targeted health concerns like digestive issues or severe skin conditions.

UMF (Unique Manuka Factor)

UMF is a more comprehensive quality trademark that goes beyond just measuring MGO. A UMF-certified honey has been tested for a broader range of signature compounds, including:

Leptosperin: An authenticating compound unique to the Manuka plant's nectar.
DHA (Dihydroxyacetone): A precursor that converts to MGO over time, indicating the honey's freshness and shelf life potential.
MGO: The primary antibacterial compound.

A UMF rating, such as UMF 10+ or UMF 20+, provides a more holistic guarantee of the honey's authenticity, purity, and potency, not just its antibacterial strength.

High-Strength vs. Low-Strength Manuka Honey: A Comparison

While a higher rating signifies stronger antibacterial properties, it also comes with a higher price tag and a more potent, less sweet flavor. The choice depends on your intended application and budget.


Feature	Low-Grade Manuka Honey (e.g., UMF 5+ / MGO 83+)	High-Grade Manuka Honey (e.g., UMF 20+ / MGO 829+)
Potency	Lower antibacterial activity.	Significantly higher antibacterial potency.
Flavor	Sweeter, milder, and more palatable for daily use.	Stronger, more medicinal, and earthy flavor.
Primary Use	Culinary uses, daily wellness, and general immune support.	Targeted therapeutic and medicinal applications.
Cost	More affordable, making it accessible for daily consumption.	Higher cost due to rarity and potent therapeutic benefits.
Applications	Everyday sweetener, immune maintenance, general digestive health.	Intensive wound care, severe sore throats, persistent digestive issues.

The Right Strength for the Right Purpose

Choosing the best Manuka honey strength is about matching the honey's potency to your specific needs, not simply buying the strongest product available.

For Everyday Wellness: A low-grade Manuka honey (e.g., MGO 100+) is an excellent, cost-effective option for regular consumption. It provides a boost of antioxidants and beneficial compounds for general immune maintenance. Use it in tea, on toast, or in smoothies.
For Targeted Health Issues: For addressing specific health concerns, such as a persistent sore throat or minor wound, a mid-grade honey (e.g., MGO 250+ or UMF 10+) is more appropriate. The higher MGO content delivers a stronger antibacterial effect where it's needed. Let it sit in your mouth and coat your throat for maximum benefit.
For Medicinal and Topical Use: The most potent, high-grade Manuka honey (e.g., MGO 550+ or UMF 15+) is best reserved for intensive medical applications. This includes treating wounds, burns, and chronic skin conditions due to its powerful antimicrobial properties. Always consult a doctor for serious medical issues.
For Digestive Health: Higher grades are often recommended for supporting digestive wellness and addressing issues like gut imbalances. The strong antibacterial properties can help promote a healthier gut flora.

How to Ensure Authenticity

With Manuka honey's high price and popularity, unfortunately, a significant amount of counterfeit product exists. To ensure you are buying genuine Manuka honey with the labeled strength, look for these markers:

Certification Logos: Look for the UMF™ trademark or an independently verified MGO rating. A UMF certified product provides a guarantee of authenticity, origin, and potency.
Source Origin: Genuine Manuka honey is produced in New Zealand and parts of Australia. New Zealand has strict government regulations for testing Manuka honey exports.
Monofloral vs. Multifloral: The most potent and authentic Manuka is monofloral, meaning bees collected nectar almost exclusively from the Manuka bush. Multifloral varieties blend nectar from other sources and have lower potency.

Conclusion

Ultimately, whether stronger Manuka honey is 'better' depends on your specific needs. While the antibacterial strength increases with the MGO or UMF rating, so does the cost and intensity of the flavor. For a simple health boost or daily treat, a lower-grade honey is a perfectly suitable and budget-friendly choice. If you are dealing with a more targeted health concern, a mid-to-high grade offers more powerful therapeutic benefits. For serious wounds or chronic conditions, the highest grades are the most effective, but consulting a healthcare professional is crucial. By understanding the different grading systems and what they signify, you can make an informed decision and choose the right Manuka honey for you.

Understanding Manuka Honey MGO Grades | Manukora

The Science Behind Manuka Honey's Power

Manuka honey's unique antibacterial property, known as non-peroxide activity (NPA), was first identified by Dr. Peter Molan. He discovered that unlike regular honey, which relies on hydrogen peroxide for its antibacterial effects, Manuka honey retains its potency even when hydrogen peroxide is removed. Years later, scientists identified MGO as the key compound responsible for this powerful, stable antibacterial effect. This research confirms that the higher the concentration of MGO, the stronger the antimicrobial effect of the honey. This scientific foundation is what makes the grading systems reliable for consumers seeking therapeutic benefits.

Frequently Asked Questions

MGO measures the concentration of the antibacterial compound methylglyoxal in the honey. UMF is a more comprehensive quality trademark that certifies MGO levels, authenticity via Leptosperin, and freshness via DHA and HMF.

A higher MGO number indicates stronger antibacterial potency, which is better for targeted therapeutic uses like wound healing. However, for everyday wellness and culinary purposes, a lower, more affordable MGO is perfectly sufficient.

Consider your needs. For daily immune support or sweetening, a lower grade (UMF 5+, MGO 100+) is best. For targeted use like skin care or a sore throat, a mid-grade (UMF 10+, MGO 250+) works well. For intensive medicinal applications, opt for a high grade (UMF 20+, MGO 800+).

Lower grades have antibacterial properties but are less potent than higher grades. For minor cuts or general immune support, they are fine, but for serious or chronic medical issues, a higher grade is more effective and a doctor should be consulted.

Yes, stronger Manuka honey typically has a more robust, medicinal, and less sweet taste. Lower grades are generally milder and sweeter, making them more suitable for daily culinary use.

Look for products with UMF™ certification and a clear MGO rating. UMF™ is a certified quality mark from the UMF Honey Association, which provides independent testing and assurance of the honey's origin and potency.

High-grade Manuka honey is more expensive due to its higher concentration of beneficial compounds like MGO, its rarity, and the stringent testing required for certification.