Bee pollen is a tiny seed found on the stamen of all kinds of flower blossoms. The stamen is the reproductive organ of the flower that produces the pollen. The tiny seeds collect on the legs of the bees as they travel from flower to flower. After landing on the flower blossoms, the bees secrete nectar and enzymes into the flower pollen, creating bee pollen. Bee pollen and flowers form a symbiotic relationship because the flowers need the bees to spread their pollen for fertilization and the bees need the pollen as a fuel source. Bee pollen may have several health benefits and can be purchased in supplement form.
Nutrient-rich Bee Pollen
According to BeePollenHealth.com, bee pollen is considered a superfood because of the total package of nutrients it provides. Bee pollen is rich in B-vitamins and includes the antioxidants lycopene and beta carotene. These two antioxidants help rid the body of free radicals that can lead to tissue breakdown and weakened immune systems. Bee pollen is considered a nutritionally complete food because it contains carbohydrates, protein and fatty acids in sufficient amounts. The nutrient breakdown of bee pollen is 55 percent carbohydrates, 35 percent protein, 3 percent vitamins and minerals and 2 percent fatty acids.
Healthy Immune System Function
Bee pollen contains high levels of antioxidants. These antioxidants penetrate the body's cells helping them remove various toxins. Also known as free radicals, these toxins build up in the body, which can cause problems with your respiratory and digestive functions. These two systems play a vital role in fighting off illnesses such as colds, the flu, respiratory infections and stomach issues. Maintaining a diet rich in antioxidants can help keep these vital systems functioning optimally. Antioxidants also eliminate and repair cells that have been mutated or deteriorated and can lead to illnesses as serious as cancer.
Bee Pollen Clinical Trials
In a study completed at the University Hospital of Wales in Cardiff, researchers completed a trial with 60 men who were given bee pollen extract over a six-month period. The trial indicated that bee pollen extract showed positive results as a treatment for enlarged prostates and prostatitis. Another study completed at the Department of Pharmacology at the University of Hawaii used mice to show that those with lung cancer survived twice as long when treated with bee pollen extract as opposed to the control group who received none. When the mice were given bee pollen extract with chemotherapy, the extract seemed to increase the effectiveness of the chemotherapy treatment. These trials are an important step in recognizing bee pollen's effectiveness as a treatment for serious diseases.
Reduced Stress and Anxiety Levels
Bee pollen is rich in thiamine, niacin and riboflavin, all B-complex vitamins that help regulate the production of cortisol and adrenaline. When the body produces an excess of these natural hormones, many negative side effects can occur. Some of these negative effects include elevated stress levels, weight gain and decreased immunity. Consuming these vitamins can help control the production of these hormones in the body, and bee pollen provides all of these healthy elements.
References
- "Nutrition: The Complete Guide"; Dr. John Berardi; 2009
- Bee Pollen Health: Guide To Bee Pollen Health Benefits
- "British Journal of Urology"; Treatment of Outflow Tract Obstruction Due to Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia with the Pollen Extract Cernilton; Buck, A.C., et al.; October 1990
- "Phytotherapy Research"; Antitumor Potential of Pollen Extract on Lewis Lung Carcinoma Implanted Intraperitoneally in Syngeneic Mice; Furusawa, E., et al.; June 1995
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