You see bee pollen touted in advertisements and on the Internet as an athletic aid that boosts strength and stamina. While some small studies indicate bee pollen has such benefits, as of 2011 no sound scientific research backed such claims, according to the American Pharmaceutical Association. Always consult a health-care professional before using a new supplement.
History
Bee pollen became a popular supplement among athletes in the 1970s, partly due to testimonials by athletes who said it increased their athletic ability. Often called "nature's perfect food," it is a highly concentrated source of many nutrients, including minerals, vitamins, amino acids, enzymes and trace elements. Bee pollen is about 30 percent protein. As a supplement, you can find it in drugstores, online and in health-food stores.
Effects
While raw-foods advocates and some nutritionists praise bee pollen as a superfood that leads to better endurance, speed and strength, science has not definitively demonstrated this. Bee pollen has a high nutritional value, but no significant clinical value has been detected, including any benefit for sports performance, according to Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, or MSKCC. Most studies of bee pollen have been on animals; other small studies have lacked adequate controls. Research on bee pollen also produces contradictory results, ranging from finding no effect to concluding that it helps you recover more quickly from workouts.
Products
Manufacturers do not have to get FDA approval before putting bee pollen supplements on store shelves. They also can claim their products boost athletic performance if they have supporting research and include a disclaimer that says the FDA has not evaluated the claim. The FDA does not require manufacturers to submit their evidence. If you want to try bee pollen to boost performance, choose a reputable manufacturer, advises MayoClinic.com. The manufacturing practices for herbal remedies are poorly controlled, so some bee pollen capsules may contain undeclared substances, warns William T. Jarvis in a December 2000 article for the National Council Against Health Fraud. Prescription drugs and toxic substances have turned up in supplements from Mexico, India and China, according to MayoClinic.com.
Warnings
If you are allergic to bee stings, avoid taking bee pollen. Also avoid it if you have allergies to honey, chrysanthemum or ragweed, because you may suffer a hypersensitivity, or allergic, reaction. This can cause itching, swelling, a headache, sneezing and even life-threatening anaphylaxis. You also may experience gastrointestinal distress, such as abdominal pain, nausea and diarrhea.
References
- Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center; Bee Pollen; Aug. 26, 2009
- Drugs.com; Bee Pollen; 2009
- "American Pharmaceutical Association Practical Guide to Natural Medicines"; Andrea Peirce; 1999
- "Superfoods"; David Wolfe; 2009
- National Council Against Health Fraud; Bee Pollen; William T. Jarvis; December 2000
- MayoClinic.com; Herbal Supplements; Nov. 17, 2009
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