Scientists discover new reason to reach for the honey pot

A spoonful of honey a day could keep the doctor away.

That’s according to a team of Australian scientists who have found bacteria and some superbugs are unable to resist the medicinal properties of honey.

Yahoo News reports Sydney scientist Dr Nural Cokcetin told AAP that honey has long been hailed for its healing benefits, but it was previously unknown how powerful in fighting superbugs.

“It’s so exciting that honey has been around for thousands of years and the bacteria still have not learned ways to become resistant to it,” she said after presenting her findings at the University of Technology Sydney during Science Week.

She said her research team tested different types of honey and antibiotics against different bugs and found the results were the same across the board.

Read more: New research says ‘don’t finish your antibiotics’

The discovery is an important part of the fight against superbugs and antibiotic resistant bacteria, which are expected to kill an estimated 10 million people by 2050.

In February the World Health Organisation said antibiotics are urgently needed to combat 12 families of bacteria posing a threat to human health.

The WHO said many of the bacteria have evolved into superbugs that are resistant to antibiotics.

The rise of antibiotic-resistant bugs is believed to be partly due to over-prescription by doctors.

Antibiotics have been a saving grace for doctors and patients alike since the 1940s, but many bugs and bacteria have built up a tolerance over time, making them difficult to treat.

Dr Cokcetin said it’s heartening to know honey could help the fight.

She said the honey’s sugar content, PH levels and the presence of methylglyoxal (MGO) typically found in Manuka honey, all impact the way honey can be used as medicine.

Manuka honey has seen a rise in popularity over the past few years with jars of the sweet stuff selling for hundreds in specialty stores and online.

Read more: Everyday uses for honey outside the kitchen

How often do you eat honey? Do you take antibiotics often?