Manuka Honey Reduces Breast Cancer Cell Growth, Study Says

New research has revealed that Manuka honey may have potential as an alternative prevention and treatment option for estrogen receptor (ER)-positive breast cancer.

Recent research revealed that compounds found in Manuka honey exhibit anti-oxidative, anti-inflammatory, anti-bacterial, and anti-cancer effects. Moreover, previous investigations have shown that honey may be an effective alternative for treating antibiotic-resistant bacterial infections.

Now, a new study conducted by researchers at the UCLA Health Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Center has revealed that Manuka honey — produced by bees pollinating New Zealand Manuka bush flowers — may help reduce breast cancer tumor growth and enhance the effectiveness of traditional treatments.

Can honey fight breast cancer?

The preliminary study, published in Nutrients, involved several experiments in mice and human estrogen receptor (ER)-positive MCF-7 and triple-negative MDA-MB-231 breast cancer cells. The researchers also tested Manuka honey on healthy breast cells.

The team found that when they fed Manuka honey to mice with ER-positive breast cancer, the rodents experienced an 84% reduction in tumor growth compared to mice who did not receive the honey treatment.

What's more, the honey did not negatively impact healthy breast cells or cause significant side effects.

In lab experiments with human breast cancer cells, the researchers found that higher concentrations of Manuka honey resulted in even more reductions in tumor growth. The cellular experiments also revealed that Manuka honey impacted signaling pathways involved in tumor development and induced breast cancer cell death.

In addition, the honey appeared to improve the effectiveness of tamoxifen, a common breast cancer treatment.

While the study was preliminary, and more research is needed on mice, human breast cancer cells, and eventually humans, the results are encouraging.

"The findings provide hope for [the] development of a natural, less toxic alternative to traditional chemotherapy," said first author Dr. Diana Marquez-Garban, associate professor of medicine at the David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, in a news release. "Although more research is necessary to fully understand the benefits of natural compounds in cancer therapy, this study establishes a strong foundation for further exploration in this area."