Scottish heather honey revealed as world-leading superfood

Scottish honey made from heather has been officially confirmed as a superfood, containing up to 10 times more of some essential micronutrients than global rivals.

Scientific tests carried out on honey made by bees feeding on heather in the Lothians, Dumfriesshire, Stirlingshire, Fife and Aberdeenshire have shown it contains significantly higher levels of manganese than many similar products from across the world.

Manganese is an essential mineral with high antioxidant qualities.

It also plays a role in making and activating enzymes in the body which are involved in protecting tissues from damage and in the metabolism of nutrients, as well as helping maintain healthy bones.

Iain and Suzie Millar set up the Scottish Bee Company in 2017, producing honeys from bee hives across the country

The findings put the Scottish honey among the top health-giving foods and cements its place as a rival to the much-lauded manuka honey from New Zealand.

Researchers from Fera Science, part-owned by the UK government, analysed samples of heather honey produced by the Edinburgh-based Scottish Bee Company to investigate its nutritional content.

The results were compared to more than 200 honeys produce worldwide, revealing the heather honey contains significantly higher levels of manganese and contains a range of other health benefits.

Previous studies, carried out at Glasgow’s University of Strathclyde last year, revealed the honey also has important antimicrobial properties.

Tests have shown honey made from Scottish heather contains significant levels of health-giving nutrients

Dr Adrian Charlton, of Fera Science, said: “We didn’t know that honey of any type could be a significant source of dietary manganese before this piece of work was completed.”

Suzie Millar, co-founder of the Scottish Bee Company, said: “It’s been remarkable to see the results of the scientific analysis show that our Scottish heather honey has superfood quality, more so than many other honeys around the world.

“What’s even more exciting is that it doesn’t need to be imported from other countries.

“We have these wonderful, natural products right here in Scotland.”

The Scottish Bee Company was founded by Iain and Suzie Millar in 2017 out of a love for the environment and the honey bee.

The pair were concerned over major declines in bee populations across the planet, so decided they would do something to help while also producing more locally sourced, eco-friendly honey.

In two years they have increased bee numbers by around 23 million and introduced Scotland’s first bee-farming apprenticeship.

For more information about the Scottish Bee Company visit www.scottishbeecompany.co.uk.

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