Researchers are buzzing (sorry)…
Irish heather honey has antioxidant properties which are comparable to the popular, and far more expensive, manuka honey, new research has shown.
The research, conducted by Dublin City University and Trinity College Dublin, collected 131 Irish honey samples from beekeepers between 2013-2015 from 78 locations across Ireland.
The majority (124) were multi-floral honeys (55 from urban, 69 from rural locations), three were heather honeys, two were ivy honeys and two were oilseed rape honeys.
Researchers examined the 131 Irish honey samples and compared them with international varieties.
It’s thought a higher total phenolic content (TPC) means a higher antioxidant capacity in a honey, and the study showed the Irish heather honey had the highest TPC of all Irish single-origin honeys.
The findings showed that there was a similar overall presence of TPC in Irish heather honey as in manuka honey. These antioxidant compounds help to prevent damage occurring in the cells of the body and are important for health and well-being.
The research was led by PhD student Saorla Kavanagh and supervised by senior academics Dr Blánaid White and Prof Jane Stout.
Dr Blánaid White, Dublin City University said: “Being able to quantify that Irish honeys have a high phenolic content, and particularly that the content in Irish heather honey is comparable to Manuka honey, is very exciting for us.
“Our research shows that Irish honey is a high-quality product and something that we should really value. Interest in beekeeping and honey production is growing in Ireland, and we are delighted to be able to support it.”
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