Which MGO Manuka Honey Is Right For Me?

So, you have heard all about the marvel of Manuka Honey – but you aren’t 100 per cent sure which type to buy? With so much information, numbers, and letters to digest, it can be easy to feel overwhelmed at the prospect of buying your first Manuka product; especially if you can’t find the right information.

Manuka is a gift from nature, so obtaining it should feel easy – this is why at Manuka Lab, we aim to make the process of buying the right MGO Manuka Honey straightforward. With this in mind, let’s take a look at the labels – what does ‘MGO’ and its associated numbers mean, and which would be right for you.

What is MGO and why is it important? 

MGO is shorthand for ‘Methylglyoxal’ – this is the ingredient in genuine Manuka honey that is used to measure plant phenol activity. Manuka honey is unlike other honeys you may find in the supermarket, as Manuka from the Manuka flower (leptospermum scoparium) has unique antibacterial activity.

It is because of the unique antibacterial activity in Manuka honey, that Manuka has been used for years in hospitals as a form of wound care*1. The use of Medical Manuka honey in hospitals for wounds is well documented in history, and in recent medical journals, due to its natural ability to reduce inflammation and its antimicrobial activity.

These exact same plant phenols found in Manuka honey can also be used to support your general wellbeing and used as part of a healthy diet.

MGO Manuka Honey – What The Labels Mean

The labels on Manuka Lab Manuka honey display an ‘MGO’ number, to demonstrate that the honey inside has been independently tested for the presence of Methylglyoxal, and its grade has been certified. The higher the number, the higher the level of plant phenols inside the jar.

We recommend the lower levels of MGO Manuka Honey for daily use, while the higher strength Manuka is used when you need more support in your daily diet - such as during cold and flu season. 

As an example of this, here are the MGO numbers we stock here at the Manuka Lab:

Which MGO Manuka Honey Is Right For Me?

The ideal strength of your MGO Manuka Honey will depend on what you want to use it for, or your general lifestyle. For example, a daily spoonful in a cup of coffee or a drizzle over a breakfast cereal, can be at the lower end of the scale to aid your ongoing wellbeing, with a typically bitter than sweet flavour.

If you are particularly susceptible to picking up colds, a higher level of MGO will be better to use in your recipes – while not a cure, the antibacterial effects of Manuka can at least help to support your overall wellbeing and immune system.

If you’re still unsure, we have created this quick ‘Manuka MGO Chooser’ quiz which, after a few lifestyle questions, will recommend a suitable MGO strength based on your answers. If you have any additional questions beyond that, our team are always on hand to provide all the assistance you need.

Shop Genuine Manuka with Manuka Lab

Here at the Manuka Lab, we are leading providers of Manuka Honey in the UK. Our genuine New Zealand Manuka honey is sustainably harvested from New Zealand’s indigenous ‘Super Plant’ grown in the remotest areas of the East Cape region, ensuring quality, potency and hive to jar traceable origin.

Please take the time to browse our product selection – each clickable product page contains specific information about the items; their uses, ingredients and more.

If you have any questions about the items you see, or on any aspect of MGO Manuka Honey, we would be pleased to hear from you! Send us an e-mail at wecare@manukalab.co.uk

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