I keep reading about the benefits of manuka honey, but then I read the other day that honey was just as bad as sugar, please could you tell me what manuka honey is and is it better or worse than normal honey?

Unique Manuka Factor (UMF) Manuka honey, is made when honeybees gather the nectar from the flowers of the Manuka bush (tea tree) in New Zealand. It is distinctively flavoured, richer in taste and darker than clover honey and has strong antibacterial and antifungal properties. To be therapeutic it should have an UMF of at least 10 but the higher the better! Manuka honey is renowned for its soothing and healing properties to the stomach and digestive tract. It has the same effect on the body as sugar, so use sparingly and have it with something that contains protein and fibre. An example of this would be to add ½ a teaspoon to porridge made with milk and ground almonds. As published in Swansea's Evening Post Kirsten3 ep