Raw Honey Vs. Bee Pollen

In a beehive, both bee pollen and honey are used as food. In human beings, honey is consumed as a food while bee pollen is taken as a nutritional supplement and sometimes added to certain fortified health food snacks. While raw honey, unlike liquid honey, may have some bee pollen in it, the nutritional differences between raw honey and bee pollen are significant. For example, bee pollen has more protein while raw honey has more antioxidants. Some people may be allergic to bee pollen and honey. See a doctor immediately if any adverse effects from consuming either of these arise.

Bee Pollen

When honey bees gather nectar from flowers they gather pollen along with it. They bring that pollen, now known as bee pollen, back to the hive to use as a source of nourishment. For human use, bee pollen comes in many different forms, including powder, liquid, tablet, chewable tablet, capsule, gel cap, topical cream, raw granule and in jelly. As a nutritional supplement, says the Cleveland County Center of the North Carolina State University Cooperative Extension, bee pollen is used to boost energy, reduce fatigue and improve athletic and exercise performance.

Bee Pollen Nutrition

Bee pollen is particularly high in carbohydrates and protein. It also contains several vitamins and minerals in trace amounts. The Cleveland County Center reports that bee pollen contains approximately 55 percent carbohydrates, 30 percent protein and 1 to 2 percent fat. It also contains around 3 percent vitamins and trace minerals, although some bee pollen supplements may contain as much as 3 to 6 percent vitamin C alone. Depending on its source, it may contain as many as 100 vitamins, and minerals, amino acids and enzymes.

Raw Honey

Honey is often heat pasteurized and filtered in order to maintain its clarity and liquid form for a longer period of time and to destroy any potentially harmful microorganisms it may contain. Raw honey is unheated and unfiltered or barely filtered. It therefore granulates and crystallizes easily and contains more sediment, including propolis, honeycomb pieces, fragments of broken bee wings and bee pollen, than liquid honey.

Raw Honey Nutrition

Honey is mostly carbohydrates in the form of fructose and glucose, according to the USDA National Nutrient Database. It contains no fat or cholesterol and negligible amounts of dietary fiber, protein and all 20 amino acids. Of the vitamins, honey is highest in Vitamin C, with 0.5 grams per 100 grams. It also has trace amounts of several B vitamins and choline and betaine. Honey contains some quantity of all the minerals, though it is highest in potassium, with 52 milligrams per 100 grams, followed distantly by fluoride, calcium, phosphorus and sodium. It also contains polyphenols, a type of antioxidant. Antioxidants scavenge and destroy cell-damaging free radicals which can otherwise cause a range of adverse effects including increased disease risk. According to the National Honey Board, darker honey has a higher antioxidant content than lighter honey.