Can manuka honey raise blood sugar levels in people with type 1 or type 2 diabetes?
Executive summary
Available studies and reviews show Manuka honey is a sugar-rich food with a medium glycaemic index (GI ~54–59 in many sources) and can raise blood glucose — though several papers and vendor or industry summaries argue its GI and unique bioactive compounds may produce a smaller or different glycaemic response than table sugar [1] [2] [3]. Lab and animal studies report possible antidiabetic effects (reduced blood glucose, improved pancreatic markers) but they are not clinical proof that eating Manuka honey is safe or beneficial for people with type 1 or type 2 diabetes [4] [2].
1. Medium‑GI sugar: Manuka honey still delivers carbohydrate that affects glucose
Multiple sources classify Manuka honey in the medium GI range (around mid‑50s), meaning it produces a measurable post‑meal blood glucose rise; scientific GI testing showed Manuka samples peaked blood glucose at about 30 minutes in human tests [1] [3]. Consumer health sites and diabetes guidance note that because Manuka is “about 80% carbohydrates” and has a moderate GI, it can increase blood sugar and should be consumed sparingly by people with diabetes [5] [3].
2. Some research and vendors say “less pronounced” rises versus sugar — but that’s not the same as safe for everyone
Several manufacturer and retail summaries and smaller reviews claim Manuka’s composition (MGO, polyphenols) or slightly lower GI can produce a less pronounced glucose effect than refined sugar and therefore may be a “better” sweetener option when used in moderation [6] [7] [8]. Clinical caution is still present in those same sources: they recommend moderation, monitoring glucose, and consulting a clinician because individual responses vary [9] [5].
3. Animal and small human studies report possible antidiabetic signals — but evidence is preliminary
A rat model study showed Manuka honey supplementation improved pancreatic histology, increased insulin markers and lowered blood glucose in diabetic rats, and authors suggested regenerative effects on beta cells [4]. Other controlled small studies cited in industry writeups report reductions in HbA1c or improved markers when honey was given in limited doses, but these are limited in size, design and generalisability; vendor‑oriented articles often frame these as promising rather than conclusive [2] [10].
4. Clinical implications for type 1 diabetes: monitoring and insulin adjustments required
Sources addressing type 1 diabetes say honey (including Manuka) contains real carbohydrate and can raise blood glucose; people with type 1 diabetes who choose to eat it must monitor glucose closely and may need to adjust insulin under medical supervision [10] [11]. Available sources do not provide randomized clinical trial evidence that Manuka honey is safe as a regular dietary substitute in type 1 diabetes without treatment changes [10] [11].
5. Clinical implications for type 2 diabetes: possible modest benefit but not a treatment
Some controlled or observational reports and commercial summaries suggest Manuka honey’s antioxidants and medium GI may lead to smaller glucose spikes and occasional improvements in HbA1c in limited study settings [2] [7]. However, reputable sources in the set caution there is no conclusive research proving honey prevents or controls diabetes, and many explicitly say it “can still increase your blood sugar levels” [5] [8].
6. Conflicting motives in the reporting: industry enthusiasm versus clinical caution
Several of the available pages are retailer or brand sites promoting Manuka honey and highlight benefits like lower GI, wound care and antioxidants while urging moderation — an implicit commercial motive colors the optimism [10] [6] [7]. Scientific papers and clinical summaries are more cautious: experimental animal benefits are not the same as clinical recommendations for routine consumption by people with diabetes [4] [1].
7. Practical guidance grounded in the sources
If you have type 1 or type 2 diabetes, treat Manuka honey as a carbohydrate: expect it can raise blood glucose, monitor levels after consumption, limit portion size, and consult your healthcare team about insulin or medication adjustments [11] [3] [5]. Some people and small studies report smaller glycaemic responses versus table sugar, but available sources do not establish Manuka honey as a safe dietary therapy or universal substitute for sweeteners in diabetes management [1] [2] [8].
Limitations and what’s missing from current reporting: randomized, adequately powered clinical trials comparing Manuka honey to other sweeteners for glycaemic control in people with type 1 or type 2 diabetes are not cited in the provided sources; long‑term safety and dose‑response data in human diabetics are not found in current reporting (not found in current reporting).