Although bee pollen offers a rich source of protein, antioxidants and enzymes, this product poses some potential risks. Harvested from bees after the insects have gathered nectar from flowers, bee pollen may contain allergens, contaminants or traces of pesticide. If you want to take advantage of the nutrients in bee pollen, start with small quantities to test for allergic reactions, advises Brigham and Women's Hospital, an affiliate of Harvard Medical School.
Allergenic Content
In its natural state, bee pollen is a raw, unprocessed by-product of bees' collection of nectar for food. As bees gather pollen from plants, the particles mingle with the insects' digestive enzymes to form golden granules. Suppliers of bee pollen are not required to print warnings about potential allergic reactions on the packaging. People who ingest these granules may be exposed to forms of pollen that trigger symptoms such as wheezing, shortness of breath or hives. If you have asthma or allergies to bee venom, honey or other bee products, you may experience mild to severe reactions to pollen, according to information from Brigham and Women's Hospital. Review the risks of bee pollen with your health care provider before making it a part of your nutritional program. Because of the potential severity of anaphylactic reactions to bee pollen, this product is not recommended for children.
Microbial Contamination
Fresh bee pollen offers a rich growth medium for mildew, bacteria, yeasts and fungi and can be easily contaminated without the proper storage, according to Malcolm T. Sanford, Ph.D., of the Department of Entomology and Nematology at the University of Florida. Storing bee pollen in a dry, cool environment can help to protect it from bacterial or fungal contamination. Dehydration of the granules can also discourage microbial growth. If you prefer to use fresh bee pollen, refrigerate the product and store the granules in a tightly sealed container to lock out moisture and microbes.
Lack of Processing Standards
The lack of quality control for bee pollen presents multiple health risks, according to Sanford. The Food and Drug Administration has not established processing standards for bee pollen, other than that it should be packed and stored in a sanitary manner. As bees collect pollen, they also gather debris, including dust, insect particles, hair and straw. Cleaning bee pollen can be costly and labor-intensive. Investigating a supplier's cleaning and packaging methods is important before purchasing bee pollen, especially if the pollen is fresh and not flash-frozen.
Potential Liver Damage
The pollen of certain flowering wild plants, including Echium, Heliotropium and Senecio species, contains potent hepatotoxins called pyrrolizidine alkaloids. A 2008 study published in the "Journal of Agriculture and Food Chemistry" indicates that alkaloids found in plants like common heliotrope and ragwort may cause liver damage in humans who ingest the bee pollen gathered from these plants. Based on the results of this study, Michael Boppre and his colleagues at CSIRO Livestock Industries in Victoria, Australia, state that bee pollen intended for human consumption should be closely monitored for hepatotoxic content. The authors recommend that processing methods be devised to reduce hepatoxic compounds in bee pollen.
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