Honey and lemon – no matter where you are in the world this popular flavour combination is favoured by many. Both soothing and refreshing, the mix of honey and lemon is commonly found in anything from juices to teas and now, sparkling water.
While we can all agree that the flavours of honey and lemon are delicious, this powerful combination can also provide numerous natural healing benefits. With today’s health-conscious generation paying close attention to the ingredients that they’re consuming, it’s no surprise that the popularity of natural drinks like honey and lemon water are on the rise.
With more people actively looking for alternatives to soft drinks, we wanted to delve into the health benefits that honey and lemon water can provide. Particularly, the benefits that New Zealand mānuka honey boasts when consumed on a regular basis.
The rise of soft drink alternatives
While price and taste have traditionally been the most important drivers when it comes to purchases of flavoured drinks, consumer demand is growing for healthy alternatives to traditional soft drinks.
In a recent industry analysis published in GlobalData’s Innovation Update Q2 2022: Beverages, their findings revealed that consumers are increasingly opting for a healthier lifestyle and in turn, are more conscious of the ingredients they consume. Organic ingredients are now a key driver in beverage purchasing decisions ¬– today’s health-conscious consumers want to know what’s in their drink of choice and that it’s free from artificial ingredients and flavours.
Many consumers are also seeing the health benefits of going sugar-free with 44% of global consumers saying low sugar is a factor when making a purchasing decision. The shift towards sugar-free beverages has resulted in big growth in the carbonated drinks market with many different manufacturers now offering sugar-free, flavoured sparkling water as a healthier alternative to soft drinks.
Benefits of honey and lemon water
So, how do honey and lemon drinks squeeze into this new soft-drink alternative market?
Naturally sweet and delicious and with various healing properties, honey and lemon drinks are now a popular item on many café menus throughout Aotearoa. Whether you need a natural way to boost your immunity or a warm drink to soothe from the congestion that can occur from a cold, a drink naturally infused with honey and lemon has many healing properties. Even better, when New Zealand mānuka honey is used, this drink can provide even more healing benefits.
Here we explain the health benefits that mānuka honey and lemon can provide.
The health benefits of mānuka honey
Mānuka honey is made in New Zealand and Australia by bees that pollinate and collect nectar from the mānuka plant (Leptospermum scoparium). Mānuka plants can be found growing throughout New Zealand and while mānuka is mostly used for honey, it can also be used for skincare products like mānuka oil.
Honey has been used for thousands of years to treat an array of conditions and infections. In the 19th century it was discovered that mānuka honey has natural antibacterial qualities and can protect the body from damage caused by bacteria; some honeys also boost production of special cells that can repair tissue damaged by infection. Mānuka honey also has an anti-inflammatory property that can ease pain and inflammation.
What makes the antibacterial component of mānuka honey so strong is a compound called methylglyoxal (MGO). MGO comes from the conversion of another compound in mānuka honey known as dihydroxyacetone (DHA), which is found in the nectar of mānuka flowers. The higher the concentration of MGO in mānuka honey, the stronger the antibacterial impact will be.
It has been found that mānuka honey can be an effective treatment for minor wounds and skin issues which include:
- Eczema and dermatitis
- Soothing a cough or sore throat
- Digestive health.
The health benefits of lemon
While lemon doesn’t have as many health benefits as mānuka honey, it is an excellent source of vitamin C, known for its natural immunity boosting properties. An entire lemon alone can provide 45mg of vitamin C which is 50% of the recommended DV (daily value intake).
Classed as a L-ascorbic acid, Vitamin C can help to strengthen your immune system and shorten the length of colds and flus. Vitamin C also provides anti-inflammatory, antiviral and antibacterial benefits and is a known antioxidant – this is evident in lemon juice by its ability to prevent other fruit or food from browning.
Wai Mānuka: Mānuka honey and lemon sparkling water
Here at Wai Mānuka, we’ve found a way to craft these powerful ingredients into a premium non-alcoholic beverage. Made by infusing New Zealand mānuka honey with a touch of lemon and sparkling water, Wai Mānuka sparkling provides a refreshing and revitalising drink, now enjoyed by many throughout Aotearoa.
Our sparkling water is not only naturally sweet, but it also provides various health benefits so you can be confident you’re getting all the benefits of a great tasting sparkling water, without the compromise.
The benefits of Wai Mānuka include:
- 0.0% alcohol: Elevate occasions and events with a premium, healthier, non-alcoholic alternative to sparkling wine.
- No added sugar or colours: Pure New Zealand mānuka honey sourced from the Bay of Plenty and a touch of lemon ensure our sparkling water delivers the flavour, without any additives.
- Made in New Zealand: The taste of Aotearoa, proudly crafted in Whakatāne.
Another benefit of Wai Mānuka that we think’s worth celebrating is the potential to maintain serotonin production levels which can affect everything from mood to anxiety to alertness – something which is normally lacking in many other beverages. Our initial research has shown that mānuka honey and lemon can have a positive effect on serotonin levels due to their various antibacterial and antioxidant properties. The maintenance of appropriate serotonin levels is necessary for general well-being.
From the beginning, the goal has always been to offer a precious gift from New Zealand to people around the world. By crafting a beverage that combines pure mānuka honey and lemon you’ll get the vibrant flavours of Aotearoa, with the health benefits too.
Want to try Wai Mānuka for yourself? Our premium sparkling water can be purchased online or from a range of stockists throughout Aotearoa. Just head to our website to learn more.
