Vital Bee Pollen Information
People have been eating bee pollen as a food supplement for centuries. The ancient Chinese used bee pollen for restorative purposes, or to improve vitality and stamina; ancient Egyptian and Hebrew texts, as well as the Bible, also mention the consumption of bee pollen. In more recent times, studies have shown a correlation between bee pollen consumption and longevity (particularly in the Caucasus Mountains region), and that bee pollen can be effective as a supplement in the treatment of everything from insomnia, nausea, infections, and low blood pressure to heart disease and even cancer. Why do we know so little about this seemingly miraculous natural product?
Bee pollen, sometimes called “ambrosia,” is a food for bee larvae; worker bees collect pollen from various plants, mix in a little honey, and feed the composite directly to their young. (Bee larvae destined to become queen bees are fed a different composite, known as “royal jelly.”) Beekeepers generally collect deposits of bee pollen from their hives, and then sell the raw granules directly to customers, or distribute the product through local health-food stores, farmers, markets, and other outlets.
Why is this simple by-product so valuable? The pollen grains contain male germ cells that all plants produce as part of the propagation process. Bees have a sixth sense about which grains to collect, selecting only “entomophile” grains, which are richer in nutrient value than other grains. The grains are a rich source of vitamins, containing active carotenoids (which convert to Vitamin A in the body), various B-Complex vitamins, Vitamin C and trace amounts of Vitamin E, Vitamin K (in fermented pollen), rutin, and other vitamins.
Bee pollen also contains a wide assortment of minerals, including calcium, iron, copper, chlorine, magnesium, potassium, sulfur, and more, in various concentrations, plus nearly 60 vital trace elements. These are all present in bee pollen in a form that is easily digestible by humans.
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Bee pollen has a protein content of around 20 percent, on average. Nearly half of this protein is in the form of free amino acids — exactly 22 amino acids, present in varying proportions. This is a much greater concentration of amino acids — 5 to 7 times as great — than can be found in beef, eggs, or other foods containing proteins. These amino acids are indispensable to our diets; they cannot be synthesized by our bodies, and must be obtained in the foods we eat.
Various other essential nutrients can be found in bee pollen, including sugars (natural sugars, glucose, reducing sugars, and non-reducing sugars); carbohydrates, including starches; and a variety of fats and oils, including essential fatty acids. The presence of these fatty acids may account for bee pollen’s favorable effect on the skin. Also, certain enzymes are found in bee pollen; enzymes serve as catalysts in the digestion of food, and bee pollen is thus thought of as a digestive.
All of these vital ingredients are found in bee pollen in a proportion that is beneficial to our health; royal jelly contains a similar mix of nutrients, but bee pollen is considered to be a more stable supplement.
The best way to consume bee pollen is by eating raw granules, either by the spoonful, mixed in with yogurt or cereal, or blended with other ingredients into a health drink. Some people complain about the chalky taste, but most get used to it. The granules can be purchased at most health-food stores, or directly from a beekeeper; it is important to not heat the granules, and in fact to store them in a cool place; raw granules are unprocessed, and should be consumed relatively quickly after purchase.
Many people purchase bee pollen in capsule or tablet form; this may be easier, particularly for those with weak digestive systems, but in the process of encapsulating bee pollen, the nutrients may lose some of their effectiveness. The process involves breaking or removing the hard shells that surround the raw granules, and the effectiveness of the pollen’s nutrients may dissipate.
Although some studies indicating bee pollen’s benefits to our health are incomplete or inconclusive, only limited side effects have been noted, particularly to consumers who are allergic to bee stings. If you are allergic to bee stings, proceed with caution.
It is very easy to enjoy the benefits of this natural health product, as research into its benefits continues and the product becomes more readily available.
