Eucalypt honey good for gut health

Australian eucalypt honey has been discovered to have prebiotic qualities, meaning that regular consumption could improve gut health, a new study has shown.

The study, funded by RIRDC (Rural Industries Research and Development Corporation), analysed the chemical and functional properties of 20 Australian eucalypt honey samples originating from Jarrah, Red Stringybark, Spotted Gum and Yellow Box eucalypt tree species.

“For the first time, researchers engaged in this study have been able to show in human trials that Australian eucalypt honeys have prebiotic qualities at levels that could help improve gut health, which can have a couple of important flow-on effects,” said Dr David Dall, one of the coordinators of the study.

“Australian eucalypt honeys are natural, healthy and common foods that can now be viewed as products that can help improve gut health. This has benefits not only for the people eating the honeys, but also provides the Australian honey industry with a unique point of difference that is backed by science.

“This research will give the Australian honey industry the ability to not only better compete with other natural and artificial sweeteners for dietary use, but also to differentiate Australian eucalypt honeys from the cheaper products marketed by international competitors.”

According to RIRDC, the long-term viability of the Australian honey industry is particularly important to Australia, not only for the honey industry itself but also in relation to the pollination services that honeybees provide to horticultural and agricultural industries.

The research report, “Value-adding to honey”, is available to download free of charge from the RIRDC website: www.rirdc.gov.au.