Manuka Honey Helps Fight, Prevent Antibiotic-Resistant Superbugs From Developing

Honey is known to fight infection with its high concentration of antibacterial agents and one kind of honey, which is the most potent honey in the world is the Manuka Honey. It is obtained from the medicinal Manuka bush in New Zealand.

Many clinical trials indicate that Manuka honey can rescind over 250 strains of bacteria including the most resistant. These include the MRSA (methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus), the VRE (vancomycin-resistant enterococci) and the MSSA (methicillin sensitive Staphylococcus aureus).

A study, published in PLOS One, suggests that Manuka honey helps prevent antibiotic-resistant superbugs from developing when used together with antibiotics, according to UHR. It was led by researchers from the University of Technology Sydney, who used Medihoney, which is a highly absorbent seaweed soaked in medical grade, sterilized Manuka honey, to determine if this together with the antibiotic rifampicin could strengthen the antibacterial activity against MRSA and could lessen the risk of resistance. The findings showed no resistant strains of bacteria emerged. "Our findings support the idea that a combination of honey and antibiotics may be an effective new antimicrobial therapy for chronic wound infections," said the researchers.

Manuka honey is also referred to as non-peroxide honey. It has significant antibacterial effects even when the hydrogen peroxide activity is obstructed and low pH level of honey. The high sugar content (high osmolality) of Manuka honey is enough to block the growth of microbes.

There is a global burden of infectious diseases as of today and an antibiotic resistance, which becomes one the main health problems. Experts theorize that if there would be no discovery of new antibiotics or alternative treatment strategies found by 2050, about 10 million people each year will die from antibiotic-resistant infections, according to IFL Science.

Antimicrobial agents are basically significant in combating these infectious diseases. The alternative antimicrobial strategies are also needed that could be of therapeutic use and of treatment too. These include plants and plant-based products and honey.