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Bee pollen is something you probably don’t think about too often. This emerging nutritional food has been hyped up by herbalists as a miracle cure for dozens of different types of medical conditions. While research is still on-going into the effects of consuming bee pollen, there are some clear benefits to this vitamin-rich produce.

Also known as bee saliva, bee pollen comes from what is collected by the bees as they fly from one flower to another. It’s different than traditional honey, royal jelly, or honeycomb. These alternative products don’t contain bee pollen, but they contain several of the same minerals and vitamins as bee pollen.

What is bee pollen?

Bee pollen is a natural produce that you’ll typically find in health stores or the workout section in your local supermarket. It’s been used in several dietary supplements and skincare products that help to soften your skin’s texture by reducing irritation, including eczema. What makes bee pollen so unique is that it contains a blend of nectar, flower pollen, honey, wax, enzymes, and bee secretions.

This product has come back onto our radar after going viral within the health community, thanks to its nutrients, vitamins, and amino acids. The Federal Ministry of Health in Germany even goes as far as recognizing bee pollen as a form of medicine.

The health benefits of bee pollen come from its vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants. Whether you have asthma or stomach problems, bee pollen has dozens of health benefits that you should know about. We’re rounding up just 10 of these today, exploring what the research says about these health-related claims.

1. It contains over 250 active substances

When we talk about the health benefits of bee pollen, it’s worth looking at its nutritional profile. What makes bee pollen so special is that it contains more than 250 biologically active substances. You’ll find everything from antioxidants to carbs and fatty acids within bee pollen. It’s primarily made from carbs and protein, although bee pollen does contain vitamins and minerals in a smaller concentration.

2. Protects against chronic diseases and free radical damage

Bee pollen is packed full of natural antioxidants, including carotenoids, kaempferol, and flavonoids. These natural antioxidants work to protect your body against free radicals that can damage your skin cells. Free radical damage is linked to a series of illnesses, including type 2 diabetes and cancer.

Research has shown that the antioxidants in bee pollen can eliminate bacteria, prevent infections, reduce chronic inflammation, and prevent the growth and spreading of a tumor.

3. Lowers risk of heart disease by controlling high cholesterol and blood lipids.

Heart disease is something that we should all be concerned about. This condition is heavily linked to high blood cholesterol and high blood lipids, with bee pollen working to reduce these factors and keep them under control. Studies on animals have found that be poll can help control ‘bad’ cholesterol.

Bee pollen is a versatile produce of traditional medicine. It can be used to treat near-sightedness caused by having clogged arteries, while also lowering their blood cholesterol levels. Interestingly, bee pollen has also been found to prevent lipids from oxidizing, which further prevents the restriction of blood vessels.

4. Improves liver functioning and protects against toxic substances

When it comes to our overall health, our liver is one organ that is easy to overlook. Research involving animals has found that bee pollen can help detoxify the body, particularly the liver. Amongst older animals it was found to booster the antioxidant defense of the liver, while also removing toxins like urea and malondialdehyde.

If you have a damaged liver, eating bee pollen can help to speed up the healing process, while also protecting the liver against toxic substances, including drug overdoses. While there is still human research needed in the area, it’s a promising health benefit of bee pollen.

5. Bee pollen can help with wound healing and preventing infections

Just like honey, we can utilize the anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties of bee pollen to help with wound healing. Research with animals has found that bee pollen extract is able to treat burns in a similar way to silver sulfadiazine without causing the same number of side effects.

Applying a balm of bee pollen onto burns has also been shown to significantly speed up the healing process when compared to modern medicine. The antimicrobial properties of bee pollen can also prevent infections, making the healing process easily for cuts, burns, and scrapes.

6. Bee pollen is rich in anti-inflammatories

Antioxidants and anti-inflammatories go hand in hand. You rarely find one without the other, with bee pollen being no exception. Bee pollen is rich in anti-inflammatory properties, with animal research showing that it can significantly reduce swelling. It’s anti-inflammatory effects have been compared to several prescriptive drugs, including analgen, naproxen, and indomethacin.

There are several compounds within bee pollen that reduce inflammation and swelling. One of the most significant components is quercetin, an antioxidant that reduce the production of inflammatory omega-6 fatty acids.

7. Protects against illness by improving immune system

If the pandemic has taught us anything, it’s the importance of our immune system. Bee pollen can boost your body’s immunity, while also killing bacteria. What makes bee pollen so potent in promoting your immune system is its strong antimicrobial properties, which has been found to kill harmful bacteria, including salmonella, E. coli, and pseudomonas aeruginosa.

Research has shown that bee pollen can be used as an effective treatment for allergies, while another showed that bee pollen can significantly reduce the activation of mast cells. These cells are responsible for releasing the chemicals that trigger your body’s allergic reaction.

8. Bee pollen may contain anti-cancer properties

For years, bee pollen has been used as a treatment for patients who are treating or looking to prevent cancers that result from cells proliferating themselves. Research conducted in test tubes has found that extracts of bee pollen can prevent tumor growth and stimulate apoptosis, which helps to kill these harmful cells.

Bee pollen that comes specifically from white willow and cistus flowers has anti-estrogen properties, which can reduce your risk of several cancers. While more research is needed in this niche, it continues to look promising.

9. Can teach menopause symptoms, including hot flashes

Menopause is something that every woman has to deal with over a certain age. It brings with its symptoms of night sweats, mood changes, uneven sleep, and hot flushes. Bee pollen has been found to ease the symptoms of menopause.

One study found that 71% of women felt that their menopausal symptoms improved when they were taking bee pollen. Another study found that 65% of women taking pollen supplement experienced fewer hot flashes as a result, along with better sleep and less joint pain.

A recent three-month study has found that women who take bee pollen supplements experience fewer and less severe menopausal symptoms. Similarly, the same supplements helped to lower their ‘bad’ cholesterol and boost their ‘good’ cholesterol.

10. Bee pollen can boost your metabolism and nutrient utilization

Taking a bee pollen supplement can boost your body’s utilization of nutrients and vitamins. Research found that rats that were iron-deficient absorbed 66% more iron once they had added bee pollen to their diet. This improvement is believed to be due to the fact that bee pollen contains bioflavonoids and vitamin C, which promote iron absorption.

Furthermore, research has also shown that bee pollen also allows for the better absorption of calcium and phosphorus. This process is able to be improved due to the fact bee pollen contains amino acids, along with several proteins that improve absorption of medicine.

Additional research that has been conducted on animals suggests that bee pollen could improve muscle growth, boost longevity, and accelerate your metabolism. While this is another area where human research is needed, it looks encouraging that bell pollen has the potential to improve nutrient absorption and boost supplement things across the board.

11. Bee pollen is almost universally safe for everyone

Perhaps one of the best benefits of New York is the marathon. During the race, runners supplement out protein bars and water to keep themselves energised. While these supplements might be handed out readily, not all of them are safe for universal use. A bell supplement option is unique and truly universal.

Bee pollen is considered safe for most people and is easy to purchase from your local health retailer.

It’s worth noting that those with pollen allergies typically stay away from bell pollen homes as they can be led to develop itching, shortness of breath, and itchiness. It’s also recommended that pregnant and lactating women avoid bee pollen products and supplements.