Summer Health Hacks: Feel Your Best This Summer

During the current UK heatwave, many people are relying on fans and air conditioning to stay cool. While these can make the temperature more comfortable, they also reduce moisture in the air, which can leave your throat feeling dry, irritated, or scratchy.

Manuka honey is a natural way to help soothe dry throats and relieve tickly coughs.

• Its thick, smooth texture coats the throat, providing temporary relief from dryness
• Its natural antibacterial properties including MGO, and unique phenolic compounds help support overall throat health.

Enjoying a spoonful of Manuka Doctor's honey can be a simple and comforting way to keep your throat feeling soothed during hot weather.

You can read more here about NICE recommending honey for coughs.

We all sweat in the hot weather and there isn’t much you can do to stop it! This is your body’s natural response to avoid overheating, and yes that fluid does need to be replaced.

If you are looking for a refreshing summer drink then you could try our recipe for this delicious Honey & Ginger Lemonade. Using Ginger gives you a natural anti-inflammatory boost while fresh Lemons contain about 50 milligrams of vitamin C.

Make sure you drink more water than you usually do to give your body what it needs to function well in the heat.

A glass of water with Manuka honey dissolved into it is a simple and refreshing drink to enjoy during a heatwave. Staying hydrated is essential in hot weather, and adding Manuka honey provides a touch of natural sweetness while creating a soothing drink that's gentle on the throat, especially if fans or air conditioning have left it feeling dry. Manuka Doctor's honey also contains naturally occurring antioxidants and has well-known soothing properties, making it a comforting addition to your hydration routine.

Sweating can also deplete your body of electrolytes - essential minerals—like sodium, calcium, and potassium—that are vital to many key functions in the body. A good way to replenish them is by eating foods rich in these nutrients. Foods like bananas, avocados, coconut water, leafy greens, and natural sea salt are all great sources.

Smoothies are an excellent way to get a juicy hit of vitamins and minerals in one go. Blend a big handful of summer berries with a small banana, a handful of spinach, a glass of oat milk and Manuka honey to taste.

Eat to Cool Down

Drinking water and cold drinks is not the only way to stay hydrated this summer. In fact, there is a range of foods you can eat that will increase your water intake.

Try watermelon, cucumber, celery, strawberries, oranges, peaches, nectarines, tomatoes, and leafy greens like lettuce and spinach as they have high water content.

In the hot weather, it’s also worth considering lighter meals. Heavy and calorie-dense meals can make you feel sluggish as your digestive system works hard to break down the food you’ve eaten. While eating smaller amounts, eating over a longer time, or indulging your Mediterranean side with multiple smaller courses, could all help you eat better in the heat.

Snack on seasonal berries

Compounds in berries such as raspberries and blackcurrants can help guard against high blood pressure, research has found – those eating the most anthocyanin-rich berries significantly slash their risk [1]. Another study found eating three or more weekly servings of strawberries and blueberries could cut risk of heart attack by a third in women [2]. Try topping a bowl of fresh berries with coconut yoghurt and a swirl of Manuka honey for a delicious sweet flavour.

If you do pick up a summer cold, you could try hot water with lemon juice, ginger and Manuka honey.

NICE guidelines recommend honey for soothing coughs, and a 2016 review of research showed Manuka has anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial and antioxidant properties. This paper also noted some preliminary research has suggested Manuka honey may have antiviral properties, potentially meaning it could help your body fight cold and flu bugs, although further studies are needed [3].

Product recommendation: if your summer cough is giving you a sore throat then try the Vitamin D Spray with Manuka Honey and Propolis. Take 2-3 sprays 3 times per day. You can learn more about the benefits of Propolis here.

Summer is the season for BBQs, picnics and overseas travel, all of which can increase exposure to unfamiliar bacteria.

Manuka honey is renowned for its natural antibacterial activity, which is largely attributed to its high levels of methylglyoxal (MGO).

Laboratory studies have shown that Manuka honey can inhibit the growth of a wide range of bacteria, including E coli, Salmonella and even Helicobacter pylori, the bacterium associated with stomach ulcers.

Many customers also choose Manuka Doctor’s Genuine honey to support digestive wellbeing to complement good food hygiene and safe eating practices when travelling.

Summer in the UK brings an increase in pollen levels, leaving many suffering from symptoms such as sneezing, running eyes, sore throats and coughing.

You can read my Hay Fever Hacks in this blog post and get some tips on how to make the most of the summer.

Product recommendation: ease your allergy symptoms with the daily Allergy Supplement from Manuka Doctor. Allergee is a natural antimhistamine supplement with Turmeric, Vitamin C and Vitamin D.

There is nothing worse than trying to get to sleep when it's hot. Tossing and turning in sweaty sheets unable to get cool, can mean you may find yourself dreading the summer nights.

Even small changes like keeping your curtains closed during the daytime can reduce the temperature in your room. But have you tried a cold water bottle? Freeze a bottle of water and wrap it in a cloth or t-shirt. Just like a hot water bottle in the winter, this will help regulate your temperature and will cool your body down at nighttime.

Product recommendation: you could try the Night-Time Relax Sleep Supplement. A daily sleep supplement with Lavender and Lemon Balm to help promote a better night's sleep.