Pollen's rich blend of proteins, minerals and enzymes make this plant product a perfect food for bees. Many natural food enthusiasts and athletes believe that pollen gathered by bees offers a unique nutritional boost for people as well. No impartial scientific studies as yet support that claim. If your medical history includes breathing problems such as asthma, or allergic reactions to foods and pollens, don't take this popular supplement without your doctor's approval.
Bee Pollen
Worker bees gather more than nectar when working flowering crops and wild plants. Bees collect pollen from blossoms and carry the protein-rich food back to the hive as pellets attached to their hind legs. Beekeepers gather a share of the harvest by placing a trough below the hive entrance and installing a screen across the doorway. When bees pass through, the packets of pollen drop in the trough. You could buy unprocessed bee pollen packaged in natural pellet form, or bee pollen tablets containing cellulose fillers and possibly other bee products such as propolis or royal jelly.
Positive Claims
The use of bee pollen as human food and medicine dates back thousands of years, according to Kendra Collins of Vanderbilt University. Ancient physicians such as Hippocrates and Pliny the Elder recommended bee pollen for medicinal purposes, and European Olympic coaches encouraged medal-winning athletes to take bee pollen as an energy-producing tonic. Current claims for the positive effects of bee pollen include protection against aging, increased levels of hemoglobin in the blood, allergy relief, treatment of prostate problems and alleviating depression. Scientific studies as yet support few of these positive claims, but you can expect a product with a rich vitamin and mineral content. You can't predict exactly what you'll get.
Content
What your bee pollen contains depends on where and when bees harvested the pollen. Bees often collect pollen from plants not normally considered as sources of human food. In Ohio, bee pollen may contain material from over 120 different plants. Some bee pollen products might primarily contain pollen from agricultural crops, but even bee colonies hired to pollinate orchards and field crops wander to nearby wild sources of nectar and pollen.
Official Advice
If you choose to take bee pollen, the University of Arkansas recommends no more than 500 mg two to four times daily. Test for unpleasant reactions by placing a small amount of pollen on your tongue. Mild side effects range from wheezing to itchy rashes and discomfort. If you're allergic to pollen you could develop chronic rhinitis or asthmatic reactions. If you're allergic to nuts, the pollen you take could include pollen from several types of nut trees. Consult your doctor before taking bee pollen if you have allergy problems.
References
- North Carolina State University Extension; Not Just Honey!; May 20, 2011
- University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences: Bee Pollen
- Vanderbilt University; The Effects of Bee Pollen on Energy and Weight Loss; Kendra Collins
- PubMed Central; High Levels of ...; Christopher A. Mullin, et al.; March 19, 2010
- Ohio State University Extension; Some Ohio Nectar and Pollen Producing Plants; James E. Tew
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