Did you know there are health benefits to bee pollen? For most people, at least – barring certain allergies and medical conditions. And yes, this substance is just what you think it is. Pollens collected by honeybees which is then harvested by beekeepers.
That’s right, you can take this surprising substance orally and your body can enjoy nutritional advantages as a result of it. Many people are surprised to discover that bees can provide far more than just honey when it comes to the ingredients in your kitchen or the supplements you take for your wellness.
Bee pollen is capable of rejuvenating the body while stimulating the glands and organs and enhancing vitality. The ability of bee pollen to noticeably and consistently increase the levels of energy ensures it is a favorite among athletes and people interested in enhancing and sustaining quality performance.
Essential Nutrients Among the Health Benefits of Bee Pollen
Many of life’s essential components are contained in bee pollen. Being 40% protein, bee pollen is widely considered as a form of food that is very nourishing and contains almost all the nutrients that humans require. Almost half of the protein contained in bee pollen takes the form of essential amino acids that the body uses directly.
Bee pollen is regarded as a nutritive and energy tonic in medicine. Numerous cultures use it in various applications such as improving vitality and endurance, weight addition during convalescence, addiction and craving reduction, intestinal regulation, buildup of new blood and prevention of infectious diseases due to bee pollen's antibiotic properties. Bee pollen also aids in overcoming some children’s developmental problems. Bee pollen has been found to contain anti-cancer qualities and offers protection against radiation.
The Mystery Behind This Ingredient
An interesting fact about the health benefits of bee pollen is that the pollen itself contains a number of unidentified elements. It has been hypothesized that these unidentified elements may also be contributing factors to bee pollen’s benefit to overall health, although their exact role is still unknown.
There is a global concern about the rate at which bees are disappearing. Bees are not only helpful to humans as a source of bee pollen but are enormously important in their role as pollinators in agriculture. It is suspected that the use of pesticides and other chemical pollutants, along with more dramatic changes in weather and temperature due to global warming, are all related to the loss of bees. Help keep your family and neighborhood bee friendly by not using pesticides in your gardens and supporting local organic farming.
How to Take Bee Pollen for its Health Benefits
The first thing you need to know is that you shouldn’t cook been pollen if you want to preserve its health benefits. For that reason, it shouldn’t be added to dishes before you heat them. Cooking it can break down some of the nutrients in this complete food, making it less nutritious and, therefore, less beneficial.
The next thing is that you can either consume it with other foods or take it all on its own. Most people enjoy taking bee pollen most by taking it as a part of another food. Among the best ways to take it include adding it to a smoothie, sprinkling it onto yogurt or granola, or even mixing it with a veggie dip.
This ingredient has a very unique texture and flavor. The specific taste of the pollen you eat will depend on the flower from which the bee collected it. Different regions will therefore have their own unique tastes depending on what grows in that area. Overall, it tends to have a slightly floral and slightly sweet taste.
Specific Health Benefits of Bee Pollen
There are many health benefits associated with bee pollen due to the many different vitamins and minerals and antioxidants. Studies have connected this ingredient’s use to certain specific wellness benefits.
Research has connected the regular use of this ingredient to reduced inflammation, enhanced immunity, improved menopausal symptoms and even better wound healing.
Possible Side Effects
It’s important to note that as is the case with pretty much anything, there is a case of drawbacks, which can include side effects. To help keep the risk of side effects to a minimum, always make certain that you’re buying from a reputed source. Disreputable companies – or those that simply don’t know what they’re doing – can collect, store, or package products improperly. This can turn an innocent-looking product into something containing potentially dangerous ingredients.
Even in quality products, there is a risk of side effects. This is mainly the case if an allergy is present. If you’re allergic to bee stings, wasps, or the kinds of pollens collected by the bees, then you should avoid taking bee pollen. If you experience any of the following, discontinue using it immediately. If your side effects are severe, contact medical assistance right away.
- Swelling
- Itching
- Light-headedness
- Trouble breathing (call emergency medical assistance immediately)
Some medical experts suggest that pregnant women avoid using bee pollen as research indicates that it may interfere with pregnancy.