Manuka honey during pregnancy: A practical guide for expecting mothers

How Manuka honey can fit into a healthy pregnancy diet

Pregnancy is a time when many women naturally pause and think more carefully about what they’re eating. Foods that once felt simple can suddenly raise questions, especially in the US, where pregnancy advice often comes with strong cautions around food safety, bacteria, and sugar intake.

When it comes to taking Manuka honey during pregnancy, the evidence is reassuring. Current scientific research and public health guidance indicate that Manuka honey can be enjoyed safely by most pregnant women when consumed in moderation. There is no identified fetal risk (1,2), and emerging research suggests honey may support areas many women find challenging during pregnancy, including sleep quality, digestion, immune balance, and day-to-day energy levels.

What is Manuka honey and how is it different from regular honey?

Manuka honey is produced from the nectar of the Manuka plant, a medicinal species native only to Australia and New Zealand.

While all honey contains natural sugars, Manuka honey is unique because it contains a naturally occurring compound called methylglyoxal (MGO) (6).

MGO is the globally recognised measure of Manuka honey strength. In simple terms, the higher the MGO number, the more concentrated and potent the honey, and the greater its value. This is why Manuka honey is often discussed not just as a sweetener, but as a functional food with specific properties (6).

In this guide, we’ll look at what the research says about taking Manuka honey during pregnancy, how much is typically used, and how to choose a quality product with confidence.

Why honey safety often raises questions in pregnancy

If you’ve heard that babies should not be given honey, that advice is correct — honey should never be given to infants under 12 months of age due to the risk of infant botulism (2). It’s natural, then, to wonder whether this restriction also applies during pregnancy.

The critical distinction is who is consuming the honey. The restriction applies only to infants, not to adults, including pregnant women.

Infants under 12 months of age have immature digestive systems that can’t yet neutralise naturally occurring Clostridium botulinum spores. Adults, including pregnant women, have fully developed gut defences and do not share this vulnerability.

A large review of food-borne illnesses during pregnancy found that botulinum toxin does not readily cross the placenta. Even in rare, documented cases of maternal botulism, no fetal harm was observed (1). While public health guidance specifically addresses breastfeeding rather than pregnancy, authorities such as the California Department of Public Health clarify that honey-related restrictions apply to infant consumption and not to adults (2).

Is Manuka honey during pregnancy considered safe?

Based on the available evidence, taking Manuka honey during pregnancy is considered safe for most women when consumed in normal dietary amounts (1).

Research and public health guidance consistently show that:

• Adult digestive systems can safely neutralise naturally occurring bacteria (1,2)
• Botulinum toxin does not readily cross the placenta (1)
• No fetal risk has been identified in published studies (1)
• Honey restrictions apply only to infants under 12 months of age (2)

As with any food during pregnancy, individual circumstances matter. Women with gestational diabetes, inflammatory bowel conditions, or known bee and pollen allergies should check with their healthcare provider before adding Manuka honey to their routine.

Research-backed benefits of Manuka honey during pregnancy

Supporting better sleep in late pregnancy

Sleep disruption is one of the most common challenges during the third trimester. Between shifting hormones, physical discomfort, frequent nighttime bathroom trips, and a mind that won’t quite switch off, getting restorative sleep can feel increasingly difficult as pregnancy progresses.

In a 2024 clinical study, researchers explored whether honey could offer gentle support for sleep in late pregnancy. The study followed 60 pregnant women experiencing insomnia during their third trimester. Participants consumed 5 ml of honey mixed with warm water twice daily for six days (3).

The findings were notable:

• Average insomnia score before using honey: 28.96
• Average score after the intervention: 12.96
• Mean improvement: 16 points

Researchers suggested that honey may support sleep through its gentle influence on blood sugar balance and serotonin-related pathways, offering a simple, natural option for women struggling with sleep in the later stages of pregnancy (3).

Suggested dosage:
One teaspoon of Manuka honey stirred into warm milk or water around 30 minutes before bedtime.

Digestive comfort and constipation relief

Digestive changes are a very real part of pregnancy, and for many women, constipation becomes an unwelcome companion as pregnancy progresses. Hormonal shifts, iron supplementation, and slower gut motility can all contribute, particularly in the second and third trimesters (4).

Research suggests that honey may offer gentle support in this area. In the same 2024 clinical study that explored sleep outcomes, participants who consumed honey also reported noticeable improvements in constipation, while those in the control group did not experience the same changes (3).

Honey acts as a natural prebiotic, helping nourish beneficial gut bacteria while also drawing moisture into the bowel. This combination can support more regular, comfortable digestion. The prebiotic effect is linked to naturally occurring oligosaccharides in honey, which have been well documented in broader nutritional research (5).

For many expecting mothers, this makes Manuka honey a simple, food-based option to support digestive comfort alongside a balanced prenatal diet.

Immune and nutritional support during pregnancy

During pregnancy, the immune system naturally adapts to support both mother and baby. This balancing act can sometimes leave women feeling more run down than usual, particularly during periods of fatigue or seasonal change.

Laboratory research shows that Manuka honey has strong antimicrobial activity, which is closely linked to its MGO concentration and total phenolic content (6). While these findings come primarily from laboratory studies rather than pregnancy-specific trials, they help explain why Manuka honey has long been valued as a functional whole food.

Manuka honey naturally contains:

• Methylglyoxal (MGO)
• Active enzymes
• Small amounts of B vitamins
• Trace minerals, including potassium, zinc, iron, and phosphorus

Importantly, no adverse fetal effects have been identified in the available research (1,3). This supports the cautious inclusion of Manuka honey as part of a nutrient-conscious pregnancy diet, particularly when chosen in high quality and used in moderation.

Taking Manuka honey for natural energy support

Feeling more tired than usual is very common during both early and late pregnancy. Changing hormone levels, growing energy demands, and disrupted sleep can all contribute to fatigue.

Manuka honey provides a natural source of easily absorbed glucose and fructose, offering gentle energy without the sharp spikes often associated with refined sugars. Because it’s minimally processed, Manuka honey delivers energy alongside trace nutrients, rather than empty calories (5).

For many expecting mothers, this makes it a simple, nourishing way to support steady energy levels throughout the day.

Common ways women enjoy Manuka honey during pregnancy include:

• Stirring it into oatmeal or yogurt
• Adding it to smoothies
• Mixing it with warm water and lemon
• Taking it straight from the spoon

How much Manuka honey is typically used during pregnancy?

Based on current research and general nutritional guidance:

• Typical daily intake: 1 to 2 teaspoons per day
• Clinical study use: 5 ml of honey in warm water, twice daily for six days

A simple routine many women find easy to follow:

• Morning: 1 teaspoon in warm water
• Evening: 1 teaspoon in warm milk or herbal tea

Moderation remains important, particularly for women monitoring blood sugar levels.

When to be cautious about taking Manuka honey during pregnancy

It’s best to seek medical advice before using Manuka honey if you have:

• Gestational diabetes
• Crohn’s disease or inflammatory bowel disease
• Irritable bowel syndrome
• Known bee or pollen allergies

And an important reminder: Honey should never be given to infants under 12 months of age.

Choosing quality Manuka honey during pregnancy

Not all products labelled “Manuka honey” offer the same quality or strength. Its value and functional properties are closely linked to MGO concentration, sourcing, and how the honey is harvested and handled.

When choosing Manuka honey, look for:

• An MGO rating of 260+ or higher, indicating measurable natural bioactivity

• Certified organic production, free from glysophates, pesticides and synthetic chemicals

• Raw and unpasteurised honey to preserve natural enzymes

• Australian or New Zealand origin, where true Manuka plants grow naturally

• Independent laboratory testing to verify strength, purity, and authenticity

Biosota’s Australian Manuka honey is independently tested for MGO strength and purity, sourced from remote Australian bushland, and produced with minimal intervention to preserve its natural bioactivity. The Manuka Honey Strength Guide provides further detail on selecting the right MGO level.

Understanding MGO strength at a glance

MGO measures the concentration of methylglyoxal in Manuka honey. Higher numbers reflect greater potency, rarity, and value.