Honey is the most beneficial food in human history. Its consumption improves human health in energy and nutrients. Today, we have many ingredients that can replace honey. But honey is still a powerful food that may contribute to our gastroingestinal health. There are many reasons for this, and I will go on to talk about its benefits for gut health, especially. When you choose honey for potential gut health benefits, different types of honey may vary in flavor, color, and nutrient content. 

Manuka Honey
In the earth’s southern hemisphere, New Zealand and Australia, there are Manuka flowers with unique antibacterial properties. A dark monofloral honey, manuka honey is rich in phenolic content. The honey has a representative ingredient, MGO, methylglyoxal. MGO has received much attention for its many useful functions. This component has anti-inflammatory works, anti-aging, and antibacterial properties. Antibacterial activity has been proven due to its MGO structure containing hydrogen peroxide content (1). Manuka honey has excellent wound healing effects, which can be administrated to gastrointestinal inflammations. Due to its antibacterial effect, it may be effective against certain strains of bacteria. Representing commensal Gram positive gut microbiota known to be inhibited by manuka honey (2). Since manuka honey has excellent wound-healing effects, we may expect a therapeutic effects in stomatitis and enteritis. 
Manuka honey is also rich in digestive enzymes and many kinds of minerals. It is often used to support digestive health. Antioxidant in manuka honey, manuka honey may help in the treatment of ulcers, burns, and non-healing wounds (3). It was approved as a recommended alternative and a natural material for the treatment of wounds by the FDA in 2007.

Clover honey
One of the most common types of honey, clover honey is loved by its mild and sweet flavors. Reported biological activities for red clover extracts have numerous effects including treatment of skin complaints (especially eczema and psoriasis), cancers of the breast, ovaries and lymphatic system, chronic degenerative diseases, gout, whopping cough and dry coughs (4). In animal mice models clover honey stimulates antioxidants mainly in the small intestine against free radical-induced cell damage (5).

Buckwheat honey 
Darker-colored buckwheat honey contains more antioxidants than lighter-colored honey. So it’s better for you than the others. For this reason, buckwheat honey offers potential benefits for gut health. The compound of phenolics and carbohydrates determine the conditions in the human intestine. Most of this honey has over 10 phenolics and several oligosaccharides, including 4-hydroxybenzaldehyde, which seems to be a land marker of buckwheat honey. Research indicates that buckwheat honey can provide health benefits to the human gut by selectively supporting the growth of indigenous Bifidobacteria and restraining the pathogenic bacterium in the gut tract (6). Moreover, buckwheat honey was found to help reduce cholesterol levels in the blood (7). Buckwheat honey is also rich in vitamins. So, it is considered as a good food for overall health.

Acacia honey
Acacia honey, light color and a mild taste, has plenty of prebiotics. Fructose oligosaccharides (FOS) are highly concentrated in acacia honey. FOS are well-known prebiotics that nourish beneficial bacteria in the intestine, which reduces inflammation and other troubles. In an animal studies, a certain type of probiotic with an acacia ingredient was observed to lead to reduced inflammatory factor, TNF-α levels (8). Bacterial activities were found to be decreased, proving their role in protecting the intestine against colon cancer.

Raw Honey
Raw honey is unprocessed and unfiltered, meaning it retains more of its natural nutrients and beneficial compounds. It contains enzymes, antioxidants, and small amounts of vitamins and minerals. The vitamin B group and vitamin C are especially rich. 
People with diarrhea, raw honey is good for people with gastrointestinal illness and stomach ulcers. Raw honey, like other honey, has an antioxidant effect, protecting cells in the body. Some of the ingredients may help to reduce the risk of cancers. Anti-inflammation in the gut and oral site is also remarkable. Oligosaccharides are especially food for lactic acid bacteria.

However, it’s essential to note that not all honey is the same. Raw, unprocessed honey is generally considered to retain more of its beneficial properties compared to processed honey. Additionally, people with certain health conditions, such as diabetes, should be cautious about their honey intake due to its sugar content.

References
1) Wijesinghe M, Weatherall M, Perrin K, et al. Honey in the treatment of burns: a systematic review and meta-analysis of its efficacy. NZ Med J. 2009;122:47–60.
2) Hammond & Donkor (2013) Hammond EN, Donkor ES. Antibacterial effect of manuka honey on Clostridium difficile. BMC Research Notes. 2013;6:188–188.
3) Matthew Johnston,1 Michael McBride,1 Divakar Dahiya,1 Richard Owusu-Apenten,2 and Poonam Singh Nigam1,*. Antibacterial activity of Manuka honey and its components: An overview. AIMS Microbiol. 2018; 4(4): 655–664.
4) Bown, D. Encyclopaedia of Herbs and Their Uses; Dorling Kindersley: London, UK, 1995. 
5) Cai, Q.Y.; Wei, H.C. Effect of dietary genistein on antioxidant enzyme activities in Sencar mice. Nutr. Cancer 1996, 25, 1–7.
6) Li Jiang, 1 , 2 Minhao Xie, 2 Guijie Chen, 2 Jiangtao Qiao, 1 Hongcheng Zhang, 1 , 2 , 3 and Xiaoxiong Zeng 2. Phenolics and Carbohydrates in Buckwheat Honey Regulate the Human Intestinal Microbiota. Evid Based Complement Alternat Med. 2020; 2020: 6432942.
7) Juan Antonio Giménez-Bastida 1, Henryk Zieliński 1. Buckwheat as a Functional Food and Its Effects on Health. J Agric Food Chem. 2015 Sep 16;63(36):7896-913.
8) Honey Chandran Chundakkattumalayil,Sreelekshmi Kumar,Rakhie Narayanan andKeerthi Thalakattil Raghavan
. Role of L. plantarum KX519413 as Probiotic and Acacia Gum as Prebiotic in Gastrointestinal Tract Strengthening. Microorganisms 2019, 7(12), 659.
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Abstract
Honey for your health
Manuka Honey with unique antibacterial properties. MGO in this honey has properties against inflammation, aging and bacteria.
Clover honey Red clover extracts have biological effects for skin complaints, anti-cancer, treating cough and preventing damages in the small intestine.
Buckwheat honey contains more antioxidants than lighter-colored honey and offers potential benefits for gut health. The compound of phenolics andoligosaccharides help to grow good microbiota in gut. And even reduce cholesterol levels.
Acacia honey has fructose oligosaccharides which is well-known prebiotics that nourish beneficial bacteria in the intestine, which reduces inflammation and other troubles.
Raw Honey is unprocessed and unfiltered, meaning it retains more of natural nutrients and beneficial compounds like enzymes, antioxidants, and rich amounts of vitamins and minerals.