This Morning's Dr Hilary Jones recommends special honey to 'boost immune system'

Wales Online

16-05-2025

This Morning's Dr Hilary Jones recommends special honey to 'boost immune system'
The food item has been described as 'liquid gold' by nutritionists and influencers for its health benefits
Dr Hilary Jones has praised the ingredient for its health benefits
(Image:)
Honey has long been lauded for its health benefits, offering support to immune systems and acting as a treatment for ailments and sore throats. It's an enduring remedy that remains prevalent even in the era of advanced medicine. Yet, not all honey is created equal.
Often referred to as 'liquid gold', Manuka honey is renowned for its exceptional qualities. This special honey is gathered from the nectar of the Manuka bush, which is found solely in New Zealand.
Its high concentration of methylglyoxal (MGO) lends it antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties. However, sourcing genuine Manuka honey can be quite a challenge, but thankfully Manuka Doctor offers several authentic products on their site.
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As reported by the Mirror, this includes a 100MGO double pack that currently boasts a whopping 84% discount, bringing the price down from £54 to £8.50. The trio pack which usually retails for £81 is now £12.50.
TV health specialist Dr Hilary - who frequently gives advice on ITV's This Morning - has weighed in on the subject, commenting: "Manuka honey contains special ingredients including methylglyoxal, or MGO for short. This value indicates the strength of Manuka honey's health benefits. The higher the MGO content, the more valuable it is for us and the higher the price."
Manuka honey
From £8.50
Manuka Doctor Buy here Product Description
Manuka Doctor has slashed the price of its Manuka honey which has many health benefits.
Endorsed by a range of other healthcare professionals, Manuka Doctor stands as the leading independent Manuka producer from New Zealand. Their honey is harvested, packed on-site and undergoes rigorous independent laboratory testing, giving customers the confidence they are purchasing the genuine product.
The honey meets New Zealand's Government's strict export regulations, and consumers can trace their batch right back to the beehives it originated from. Depending on the purchase, jars of Manuka honey range from 30 MGO up to a limited-edition 1300 MGO.
The advantages of consuming a spoonful of this honey include aiding with colds and coughs, supporting digestion, and providing a natural energy boost. Dr Hilary Jones continued: "Consuming at least ten grams of honey daily is extremely beneficial from a nutritional and medical perspective and is therefore recommended. Twenty grams daily can also be helpful for boosting the immune system. Long-term daily consumption of high-quality Manuka honey is essential."
Manuka Doctor is the only brand of Manuka honey endorsed by TV GP Dr Hilary Jones
(Image: Manuka Doctor )
Over time, it has become clear that honey, especially Manuka honey, is one of the most frequently counterfeited foods globally. Instead of genuine honey, consumers often end up with fake products, as an EU inspection report in 2023 (titled From The Hives) found nearly half of the tested honey was significantly diluted with cheap sugar syrup.
The investigation revealed that out of 320 samples, 46 percent were not pure honey. Additionally, DNA analysis commissioned by the Beekeepers' Association at the end of 2024 indicated that 24 out of 25 jars of honey from major UK retailers were dubious, falling short of being top-notch.
Some brands still sell genuine Manuka honey products, including Lookfantastic which offers the Manuka Health MGO 400+ Pure Monofloral Manuka Honey priced at £63.99. It boasts of having a minimum of 400mg/kg methylglyoxal and originates from New Zealand. Elsewhere, Nisbets provides Rowse Manuka Honey 100+ MGO 225g for £11.99, known for its sweet, rich and herbal flavour.
Customers are full of praise for Doctor Manuka, as buyer Bruce shared: "The honeys are certified, so you can be sure they're genuine. The difference compared to the other products was very significant; after just a few days, I felt much more energetic, focused, and positive."
Another consumer expressed satisfaction with Manuka Doctor's 70 MGO Manuka honey, saying: "I am a New Zealander who grew up with Manuka honey before it was marketed for its well being qualities. As such I am very taste sensitive when it comes to honey... and this is a good one.
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"I was shopping around to see if I could find a cheaper and equally good alternative to my normal brand and happily came across Manuka Doctor. I am super impressed by the quality, taste and sale prices which have made this honey really great value. Tried the 40 55 and 70 - all really great value."
On the other hand, some customers were left unimpressed, with one remarking: "It was too strong for me." However, another shopper shared a more positive experience: "Lovely honey, very soothing on the stomach. Bought in sale so the price was a bargain. More balanced than sugar, very nice added to hot water and fresh lemon juice. Helped with recovery of my sore throat."