High TA (Total Activity) Values are not just for Manuka Honey

Get ready to dig into a little lesson about the nutritional and medicinal value of floral sources to bees, honey, and us humans, along with how it can be measured as a value called TA (Total Activity). We sent our honey to New Zealand this year to see if it measures up to the high TA values of the famous Manuka honey, and the results came back with amazingly high ratings, signifying exceptional antimicrobial power for our own Smoky Mountain Wildflower Honey.

Floral Sources & Bee Nutrition

Hive health is directly impacted by the floral sources bees visit. The greater the biodiversity of the ecosystem surrounding the hive, the stronger the health of the colony. So, it's no surprise that there is a direct correlation between the amount and quality of floral resources, rich with diverse, high-quality blooms and the nutritional support the resultant honey provides to both bee and human health. Native plants that have evolved in a region form irreplaceable symbiotic relationships with local fauna. Flora and fauna both adapt to the soil, local climate, and surrounding ecological systems 

The nutritional value of the flora attracts the attention of pollinating fauna like honey bees. The flora provides the essential components and nutrients to a bee’s diet. These nutrients include carbohydrates in the form of nectar and pollen, which provides crucial protein for the growth and development of larvae. The pollination activity of the honey bee, guarantees the generational survival of plant species.

Not surprisingly, different plants offer varying degrees of nutritional profiles. Bees and other pollinators also look for resources high in lipids and micronutrients. These compounds have proven essential to the gut health of the honey bee, resulting in a stronger, disease resistant bee. Stronger bees assures higher colony survival and reproductive success. 

The Gut Health of Bees & What It Means for Humans - hint: Flavonoids

The correlation between bee gut health with longevity, strength, and reproductive success, and its parallels to human health cannot be ignored. Honey is a magical elixir. It contains vitamins (B1, B2, B5, B6 vit-C), minerals (potassium, calcium zinc, nickel, iron, phosphorus), and flavonoids. Flavonoids are plant-based compounds recognized for their antioxidant, antimicrobial and anti-bacterial properties. They contribute to the vibrant kaleidoscope of colors in wildflowers, fruits and vegetables. More importantly, they play a crucial role in plant survival, providing a defense to disease and environmental stressors. These same flavonoids offer various health benefits to humans including reduced risk of chronic conditions like cardiovascular disease and cognitive decline, including dementia. Flavonoids act as antioxidants, neutralizing free radicals which cause cell damage. 

Measuring Flavonoids = Measuring TA (Total Activity)

One of the ways we can assess the quality of flavonoids in honey is by measuring its Total Activity (TA). The properties of TA are manyfold:

• Digestive Health: High TA honey promotes a healthy gut microbiome and assists in digestion.
• Immune System Support: High TA honey boosts the immune system and protects against infection.
• Advanced Wound Healing:Honey with high TA is used to promote faster wound healing due to its antimicrobial properties, preventing infections.
• Skin Care:High TA honey is used in skin products for its antibacterial and moisturizing effects.

Total Activity in honey is measured on a scale similar to one that measures Manuka honey. Higher numbers indicate greater antimicrobial and anti bacterial activity. A TA 10+ is considered to have beneficial properties. Higher TA’s of 25+ are considered to signify exceptional antimicrobial power. Our Smoky Mountain Wildflower Honey as analyzed by ALS Labs in New Zealand has a TA 33.2 score establishing it as one of the greatest medicinal honeys in the world.

Smoky Mountain Floral Sources Make Our Wildflower Honey Unique

The importance of diverse floral sources for both honey bee and human health cannot be understated. This critical relationship between the honey bee, the most efficient of all pollinators and the flowers it visits demonstrates natures interconnectivity and underscores the unique quality of our honey produced in a rare ecosystem.