Like honey and royal jelly, bee pollen is a nutritious, edible substance made by bees. Bee pollen consists of plant pollen from the stamens of flowers, plant nectar and the saliva and digestive enzymes of worker bees. Devices positioned near the entrances to beehives harvest bee pollen from the legs of the bees. Considered a super-food because of all the nutrients it contains, bee pollen has numerous health uses, although few studies have examined its affects on humans.
Nutritious Food Source
According to Carolyn D. Berdanier in her book "Advanced Nutrition: Macronutrients, Micronutrients and Metabolism," bee pollen is one of the most complete food sources known and consists of about 55 percent carbohydrate, 35 percent protein, 5 percent fiber, 3 percent vitamins and minerals and 2 percent fatty acids. The protein in bee pollen is complete, which means it contains all the essential amino acids. It contains high concentrations of B-vitamins, including folate, and is a good source of vitamins A, C, D and E. It also supplies 28 minerals and numerous trace elements, enzymes and co-enzymes. The dozen or so fatty acids in bee pollen are all plant-based and polyunsaturated, promoting health.
Energy Boosting
Bee pollen is probably consumed most for its energy-boosting properties. This food is rich in the B-vitamins, which are needed for metabolism of carbohydrates into energy sources. Conveniently, bee pollen contains 55 percent carbohydrates, mostly in the form of plant nectar, which is easily broken down into glucose and used for energy. Glucose is the primary fuel used by the brain and is essential for alertness, cognition and concentration, according to George Gropper in "Biochemistry of Human Nutrition." The protein in bee pollen can be broken down into amino acids, which are then used to build muscle and a variety of other tissues. According to Gordon M. Wardlaw, author of "Contemporary Nutrition," bee pollen is becoming a popular supplement for athletes who believe it boosts energy while increasing strength, endurance, speed and recovery times.
Antioxidant Benefits
Bee pollen is a good source of powerful antioxidants, such as vitamins C, E and the vitamin A precursor, beta-carotene. Antioxidants remove free radicals from the body, which are produced in numerous oxidation reactions and promote tissue deterioration, aging and cardiovascular diseases and can hamper the effectiveness of the immune system. Vitamins C and E also stimulate immune cell production, some of which can kill pathogens, such as bacteria, fungi and viruses. Bee pollen also contains propolis, which displays strong antimicrobial properties. Consequently, bee pollen is used to enhance immunity, retard infections, slow down the aging process and prevent cardiovascular diseases.
Allergy Symptoms
Anecdotally, bee pollen can help combat the symptoms of wind-borne allergens that cause hay fever and asthma. According to Simon Mills in "The Essential Book of Herbal Medicine," bee pollen can reduce the production of histamine, which is produced in response to allergens, and may strengthen the respiratory system. For this purpose, take bee pollen in small amounts just prior to allergy season, the idea being that it works like allergy shots and gradually builds immunity to all the plant pollens collected from the bees. However, using bee pollen to treat allergies can actually cause dangerous allergic reactions in some people. As always, consult with a medical professional before embarking on any supplement regimen.
References
- "Advanced Nutrition: Macronutrients, Micronutrients, and Metabolism"; Carolyn D. Berdanier; 2009
- "Biochemistry of Human Nutrition"; George Gropper; 2000
- "Contemporary Nutrition"; Gordon M. Wardlaw; 2010
- "Human Biochemistry and Disease"; Gerald Litwack; 2008
- "The Essential Book of Herbal Medicine"; Simon Mills; 1994
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