Most people with allergies tend to avoid pollen like a virus. However, bee pollen is very good for health thanks to its composition. It is also suitable for human consumption.
For starters, bee pollen is different from pollen found on a plant. Bees do this by collecting pollen from plants and carrying it on their feet until a grain is formed.
Pollen is rich in vitamins, nutrients, minerals, and useful compounds that have antioxidant properties. Bee pollen is easy to add to most foods and has a pleasant flavor, so it makes sense that it’s so popular with people trying to eat healthier.
Did you know that bee pollen contains almost all the nutrients the body needs? And therefore, consuming the pollen is very beneficial and has even been officially recognized as a medicine in Germany.
In the following article we will share the wonderful benefits of bee pollen for health, which you can take advantage of as long as you do not present allergic problems in its consumption and use.
Health benefits of bee pollen
Pollen is wonderful for natural allergy relief and has many health benefits.
It is rich in vitamins, minerals, proteins, lipids, fatty acids, enzymes, carotenoids, and bioflavonoids, making it an antibacterial, antifungal, and antiviral agent that strengthens capillaries, reduces inflammation, stimulates the immune system, and reduces levels of cholesterol naturally.
In fact, pollen contains more protein than any animal source and more amino acids than eggs or meat.
Here we mention the following benefits of pollen:
Regulates blood pressure
According to a recent study from the University of Auckland in New Zealand, pollen can lower blood pressure.
Since it encourages the activity and numbers of bacteria found in the mouth, which convert food into nitrate, a compound that widens blood vessels and lowers blood pressure.
Fight liver problems
A 2013 study published in Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine found that pollen promotes healing of liver damage caused by toxicity.
Two groups of rats with liver damage were examined: one group took pollen orally (200 to 400 mg per kilogram per day) and the other group received silibinin, a drug that contains flavonoids.
The researchers found that both treatments reversed the damage, but silibinin caused significant weight loss and death due to severe diarrhea.
These findings suggest that pollen is a safe alternative in the treatment of liver diseases.
Combat digestive ailments
Pollen can help digest food and regulate intestinal function, giving the body relief from stomach aches.
It also contains enzymes to help break down what is in the body.
eliminates bacteria
Pollen has antibacterial, antifungal, and antiviral properties that strengthen capillaries, reduce inflammation, boost the immune system, and naturally lower cholesterol levels.
Therefore, it is considered a powerful supplement to prevent diseases.
Reduces inflammation and pain
The anti-inflammatory activity of bee pollen has been compared to drugs such as naproxen, ibuprofen, and others.
Researchers suggest that it can be used in acute and chronic inflammatory conditions.
A 2010 study published in Pharmaceutical Biology found that bee pollen displayed significant anti-inflammatory activities when administered to mice with acetaminophen-induced liver necrosis.
Increase vision
The health benefits of pollen have been researched for years. Dr. Michael Cooper discovered that it can help treat eye disease.
One study concluded that the antiproliferative properties of pollen and flavonoids could inhibit pathways that lead to corneal damage.
Reduces fatigue and tiredness
A study published in Food and Chemical Toxicology evaluated the biological assets of pollen and its antimicrobial activity. This indicates that pollen can combat allergies naturally.
In addition, thanks to its probiotics, pollen is a superfood that can provide you with a lot of energy to avoid fatigue and tiredness.
Reduces stress and anxiety
Due to the properties of pollen, it improves the blood supply to the nervous tissue, strengthening the nervous system that can be weakened by stress.
For this reason pollen is very useful against stress and fatigue.
Improves intellectual capacity
Those who do strenuous mental work may also notice the natural benefits of pollen.
Pollen can relieve brain fatigue and improve alertness. Which can increase your ability to focus and allow for longer periods of work without tiring.
improves skin
Your skin can look younger, smoother and healthier with the consumption of pollen.
Pollen not only helps clear up acne conditions in youth, but also has special benefit in rejuvenating aging skin.
For this reason, the consumption of pollen improves sick or aged skin.
Bee pollen properties
Once pollination has occurred, the bees create enzymes that they store in the honeycombs. The bees store the pollen in these combs, add their own enzymes, and then cover this pollen with a layer of honey.
Pollen is the food of bee larvae since adults consume more nectar than pollen. And for this reason, the benefits of pollen are possible thanks to its impressive nutritional content that has the following:
- 30 percent digestible carbohydrates, of which 26 percent sugars (mainly fructose and glucose)
- 23 percent protein (including 10 percent essential amino acids)
- 5 percent lipids (including essential fatty acids)
- 2 percent phenolic compounds (including flavonoids)
vitamins
Pollen is rich in B vitamins, such as vitamin B1, B2, and B6. In addition, it is rich in vitamin C and vitamins A, E and D. Pollen provides 0.6 percent of vitamins and water-soluble acids.
minerals
Pollen is also rich in minerals, providing 1.6 percent of necessary minerals such as calcium, phosphorus, magnesium, sodium, potassium, iron, copper, zinc, manganese, silicon, and selenium.
calories
Despite being so nutrient-dense, pollen is quite low in calories. A teaspoon of pollen contains 16 calories.
Studies have shown that pollen aids in the recovery of muscle protein and metabolism, proving that it is useful in preventing or recovering from malnutrition.
However, it can also help promote healthy weight loss, as pollen helps boost metabolism.
Bee pollen is a natural metabolism stimulant as it helps regulate hormones and has metabolic activity, thanks to its high content of amino acids that help increase metabolism by dissolving fat cells in the body.
How to consume bee pollen?
The first thing is to get good quality pollen. Make sure you buy pollen from a reputable company or a local beekeeper.
Make sure the hive is free of pesticides and chemicals. You can find pollen at most health food stores and farmers markets.
Eating bee pollen is very easy. The most common form is ground and mixed with food.
Pollen can be mixed with honey, cottage cheese, or yogurt. On the other hand, to combat a nutrient deficiency take a teaspoon of pollen three times a day.
in drinks
Pollen can be added to warm water and drunk as a tea. This can also be made smoothie with milk or fruit juices.
However, one of the best ways to consume it is by mixing a tablespoon of pollen with hot water, lemon juice and a little honey, it is delicious and nutritious.
in meals
Pollen can be added to yogurt, cereal, and baked goods, or spread on toast mixed with honey or cottage cheese.
University Professional in the area of Human Resources, Postgraduate in Occupational Health and Hygiene of the Work Environment, 14 years of experience in the area of health. Interested in topics of Psychology, Occupational Health, and General Medicine.