Bee pollen contains carbohydrates and a range of vitamins and minerals, as well as amino acids, fatty acids, propolis and trace minerals. Because bees collect pollen from a variety of plants in their immediate environments, exact pollen ingredients will vary from one geographical region to another. Bee pollen has been used since ancient times, both as a food source and as a medicine to treat colds and other assorted ailments.
Protein and Carbohydrates
Bees collect pollen from the male parts, or stamen, of flowering plants. They carry this pollen back to the hive by placing it in pollen baskets located on their hind legs. Pollen is used by the bees as a food source. Nearly half of the pollen is carbs, while another 20 to 35 percent of it is protein. The carbs are sugars that the bees use for energy. When you consume bee pollen, you are also consuming these carbs and proteins.
Amino Acids and Enzymes
At least 18 amino acids are present in bee pollen, making it an excellent protein source. According to the Quantum Research Institute, bee pollen contains all nine of the essential amino acids histidine, leucine, isoleucine, lysine, methionine, phenylalanine, threonine, tryptophan and valine. Your body uses these amino acids for the production of proteins and enzymes, and must be obtained from your diet. Bee pollen also contains the nonessential amino acids, including alanine, cystine, glycine, glutamic acid and arginine. Bee pollen also contains the enzymes amylase, lipase and protease. Amylase helps your digestive system break down starches into simple sugars, lipase helps with digesting fats and oils, and protease helps you digest proteins.
Vitamins and MInerals
Bee pollen contains plenty of vitamins and minerals, making it a very nutritious food supplement. It contains the B vitamins thiamine, riboflavin, niacin, pantothenic acid, pyridoxine and folic acid. Other vitamins include vitamins C, D, E and K. Biotin, also known as vitamin H, and rutin, or vitamin P1, are also present. Bee pollen contains beta-carotene, which your body can convert into vitamin A. The minerals found in bee pollen include the macrominerals calcium, sodium, potassium and magnesium. The trace minerals include copper, iodine, chromium, boron, manganese and iron. Some of the minerals are present as ash.
Propolis
Propolis is a resin-like combination of pollen and beeswax. Propolis is used both for food and medicine. The resin is credited with a bevy of health-improving attributes, including antibacterial and antiviral properties. According to the Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, bee propolis contains more than 300 compounds that might contribute to its health benefits. Bee propolis is antiseptic, meaning it reduces the possibility of infections. The flavonoids in bee propolis might be the chemicals responsible for this antiseptic property. Bee propolis is used in the treatment of diseases such as cancer, diabetes and heart disease.
Food Sensitivities
As with other natural products, some people are allergic to bee pollen. If you are allergic to bee stings or suffer from asthma, you might have an adverse reaction to bee pollen, which can include minor symptoms such as itching and coughing. However, severe reactions to bee pollen can produce anaphylactic shock, which can cause breathing problems and severely low blood pressure that can result in unconsciousness or death.
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