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Manuka Honey

Is there any science behind the buzz? Greg Foot gets stuck in.

A small jar of this sticky stuff can cost anything from around ten pounds to over a thousand. Some brands claim it can help with sore throats, skin problems, hay-fever and poor sleep. Other producers curiously make no health claims at all about their manuka products. So what鈥檚 the buzz about and is there any science behind it?

Listener and beekeeper David got to get in touch to ask whether manuka honey can boost the immune system, and if it has any benefits over and above the ordinary honey from his bees produce.

Greg Foot gets stuck in to find out, talking with two microbiologists to learn why manuka honey is different and if there鈥檚 any truth to some of those sweet sounding claims.

This series, we鈥檙e testing your suggested wonder-products. If you鈥檝e seen an ad, trend or fad and wonder if there's any evidence to back up a claim drop us an email to sliced.bread@bbc.co.uk or you can send us a voice note to our new WhatsApp number: 07543 306807

Presenter: Greg Foot
Producers: Julian Paszkiewicz & Kate Holdsworth
Researcher: Darcy Tapley

Available now

23 minutes

Last on

Thu 30 Jun 2022 12:32

Broadcast

  • Thu 30 Jun 2022 12:32

Podcast