Bees collect pollen as they buzz from plant to plant and back to the hive. The pollen collected by a single bee may be a mix of grains from numerous diverse plant varieties. Proponents tout bee pollen for a number of traditional uses, but Drugs.com notes that some of the most common claims about bee pollen's assets have not been sufficiently studied.
Rich in Nutrients
Drone bees use bee pollen as a nutrition source, and it is known to be a concentrate of vitamins, minerals and protein. Gene Bruno, Dean of Academics at Huntington College, notes that protein concentrations in bee pollen are five to seven times that of other high protein sources. Bruno lauds bee pollen for its antioxidant activity, as well as its ability to support red-blood-cell efficiency. These two qualities make bee pollen promising as an anti-aging supplement and as an energy booster. Olympic athletes have been known to use bee pollen as a performance supplement.
An Allergen
For anyone with an allergic sensitivity to bee pollen, exposure to this nutrient-rich substance can do more harm than good. Allergies occur when the body's immune system mistakenly reacts to a benign substance as if it were a threat. As explained by Dr. Constantinos Pitsios of the department of Allergology and Clinical Immunology at Laikon General Hospital in Greece, various allergenic plants can contribute to a bee's collection of pollen. Thus, pollen exposure can result in allergic reactions in individuals who are sensitive to that particular plant.
Allergies can cause life-threatening reactions. Severe anaphylaxis can occur in individuals with bee pollen sensitivities. Though serious or fatal reactions are rare, anyone who has concerns about allergies should consult their doctor before taking bee pollen.
Prostate Effects
A bee pollen extract called Cernilton has been found to relax the urethra and sphincter muscles and increase bladder muscle contraction. These qualities may be related to a growing body of evidence supporting bee pollen's effectiveness in managing prostatitis and benign prostatic hyperplasia. Dr. J. Curtis Nickel of the Department of Urology, Queen's University in Ontario cites reports of beneficial results in treating chronic prostatitis with Cernilton, noting that patients improved or recovered more often using Cernilton than they did with a placebo. He cautions that more extensive studies are needed to back up these initially promising findings.
References
- "Annals of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology"; Bee Pollen Sensitivity in Airborne Pollen Allergic Individuals; Constantinos Pitsios et al; November 2006
- Drugs.com: Bee Pollen
- Huntington College of Health Sciences: Bee Pollen, Propolis & Royal Jelly
- "Journal of Antimicrobial Agents"; Treatment of Chronic Prostatitis/Chronic Pelvic Pain Syndrome; J. Curtis Nickel; February 2008
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