Bee products, such as honey, royal jelly and bee pollen, have been used by indigenous peoples for countless generations. A primary use of bee pollen is as a supplemental food source, although it has medicinal properties also. The nutritional value of bee pollen is high enough for many nutritionists and health professionals to consider it as a "super-food." Anecdotally, the claimed health benefits from consuming bee pollen are many, although scientific research is lacking regarding its effects on people.
Bee Pollen Defined
According to "Advanced Nutrition: Macronutrients, Micronutrients and Metabolism," bee pollen consists of plant pollen -- the male gametes found within the stamen of flowers -- combined with various plant nectars and worker-bee saliva, which contains digestive enzymes. Plant pollen, nectar and saliva collect on the legs of worker bees as they fly from flower to flower during the process of pollination. Commercially, the material is collected by devices that are placed near the entrances to hives, which act to brush it off bees' legs. Like other bee products, bee pollen has been consumed for thousands of years, especially in China and parts of Europe.
Nutritional Profile
Bee pollen contains a wide variety of nutrients -- so much so that it is believed to be one of the most complete food sources known, as cited in "Contemporary Nutrition." Bee pollen consists of about 55 percent carbohydrate, 35 percent protein, 5 percent fiber, 3 percent vitamins and minerals and 2 percent essential fatty acids. The carbohydrate content is mainly from the plant nectar, which is easily metabolized to glucose, the main energy source for bodily functions. The protein within bee pollen is considered complete, which means it contains all 20 amino acids. The numerous fatty acids within bee pollen are all polyunsaturated, because they are plant based. A portion of the fiber is soluble, which is able to bind cholesterol and regulate its blood levels. According to "Nutritional Sciences," research has shown that rodents have thrived on a diet exclusively of bee pollen for multiple generations with no signs of malnutrition.
Vitamins and Minerals
Bee pollen contains high concentrations of B vitamins, including folate, and it is also a good source of vitamins C, D and E. For example, 1 g of fresh, raw bee pollen contains 200 mg of vitamin B-3, 27 mg of vitamin B-5 and 15 mg of vitamin C, as cited in the "American Dietetic Association Complete Food and Nutrition Guide." In addition to the vitamin-type antioxidants, bee pollen also contains beta-carotene, the precursor to vitamin A. Antioxidants destroy free radicals, which cause damage to cardiovascular tissues and promote aging. Bee pollen also contains 28 minerals and various trace elements, digestive enzymes and coenzymes.
Medicinal Uses
Due to its carbohydrate, amino acid and B-vitamin content, bee pollen is often used for boosting energy levels. According to "Advanced Nutrition and Human Metabolism," bee pollen is becoming more popular among athletes, who believe it boosts energy while enhancing strength, endurance, speed and recovery times. Bee pollen also contains propolis -- a resin from trees that has strong antimicrobial properties that can retard fungi, bacteria and viruses. Anecdotally, bee pollen is said to help reduce the symptoms of hay fever and pet allergies caused by airborne allergens. According to "Biochemistry of Human Nutrition," bee pollen reduces the synthesis of histamine, which causes inflammation and is produced in response to allergens.
References
- "Advanced Nutrition: Macronutrients, Micronutrients, and Metabolism"; Carolyn D. Berdanier; 2009
- "Contemporary Nutrition"; Gordon M. Wardlaw; 2010
- "Nutritional Sciences"; Michelle McGuire; 2007
- "American Dietetic Association Complete Food and Nutrition Guide"; American Dietetic Association; 2006
- "Advanced Nutrition and Human Metabolism: 5th Edition"; Sareen S. Gropper and Jack L. Smith; 2009
- "Biochemistry of Human Nutrition"; George Gropper; 2000
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