Did you know that the mass of pollen a bee carries can exceed its own mass by up to 30%? Bee pollen is an essential food for bees. Introduced into the human diet, it shows health-promoting effects. In this article, I will tell you how to properly consume it and what nutritional values it provides.
Bee pollen is collected by bees. They mix it with a bit of saliva or nectar and transport it to the hive [1]. Bee pollen is a good source of protein. There are 20 grams of it in 100 grams [2]. Moreover, it contains over 200 different chemical compounds that positively affect human health.
There are two types of pollens [3]. Anemophilous and entomophilous. The former is allergenic, carried by the wind. The latter does not cause allergies. It is carried by bees. It is the latter that is discussed in today’s article.
How is bee pollen collected?
You might wonder how to collect such pollen. An experienced beekeeper has no problem with this. They use pollen traps for this purpose [4]. It is a device that blocks the entrance to the hive with a partition with special holes. Thus, the bees squeezing through lose part of their pollen loads. These fall into a special container. The container should be emptied several times a day. This is because pollen is delicate, sensitive to moisture and molding. Harvesting should be done from May to July [5].
Bee pollen belongs to the superfood group. To deliver as many nutrients as possible, it should be consumed properly.
How to Eat Bee Pollen – Practical Tips
TIPS:
- Pollen can be mixed with: water, milk, honey, juice, cottage cheese, yogurt, oatmeal, or pudding. It should then be left until it swells;
- Dried is best crushed because it has a hard shell (this can be done in a mortar);
- Fresh melts in your mouth, so we can consume it without any processing;
- To improve its taste, you can add lemon juice or honey to it;
- Do not mix it with boiling milk or water, as it loses its values;
Nutritional Values of Bee Pollen
Bee pollen is a valuable bee-origin product [6]. It is also called a miraculous nutrient due to the nutritional values it possesses. Their amount is influenced by origin, climate conditions, and soil. According to scientists, the amount of carbohydrates it contains ranges from 13-55%, fiber 0.3-20%, protein 10-40% and lipids 1-10%.
Bee pollen is also a wealth of essential and non-essential amino acids. This fact means that it will be an ideal component of diets for people with cancer or anorexia.
The vitamins found in bee pollen are mainly those of the B group, but also up to 300 mg of vitamin C per 100 g, 200 mg per 100 g of provitamin A and between up to 320 mg of vitamin E per 100 g.
Bee pollen is a product belonging to the superfood group. Its health properties have been very widely researched in recent years [7]. Scientists have shown that bee pollen has:
- Antibiotic properties;
- Antioxidant properties;
- Anti-inflammatory properties;
- Hypolipemic (anti-atherosclerosis) properties;
- Anti-prostate properties;
- Detoxifying properties;
- Stimulating the circulatory system to produce red blood cells (antianemic);
- Immunoregulatory properties;
- Immunosuppressive properties;
- Anti-allergic properties;
- Anti-cancer properties;
- Pain-relieving properties;
- Influence on the urinary system;
- Protective for the fetus;
- Delaying the aging of the body;
Particular attention was drawn to studies on the anti-cancer properties [8]. J.Gorchowski conducted his experiments on mice. Animals with leukemia were fed bee pollen. He observed a prolonged lifespan and a reduced intensity of inflammation. He also checked whether the combination of pharmacological treatment with pollen intake would increase the chances of health improvement in mouse cancer patients. It turned out that the water extract combined with the drugs extended the mice’s life by 50%.
Dosage
Now that we are aware of how healthy bee pollen is, a few words about dosing.
The dosage of bee pollen depends on age:
- children from 3 to 5 years of age can take up to 10 grams per day;
- children from 6 to 12 years old 15 grams per day;
- children over 12 years of age and adults 20 grams per day;
Summary
Bee pollen is a product with a wide range of actions. Due to the nutrients it contains, it should be consumed by all people who care about their health. It is not excluded to be given to pregnant women, nursing mothers. Consumption of pollen depends on its form. Fresh can be eaten without any processing, dried should be crushed in a mortar. Like any product, it also has contraindications. It should not be given to small children (up to 3 years of age) or people allergic to bee products. Now you know how to properly consume bee pollen.
Frequently Asked Questions
Bee pollen should be drunk in the morning. Best on an empty stomach or before a meal.
Fresh pollen can be consumed without any processing, while dried should be crushed. It can be dissolved in milk or water, but also added to yogurts, cottage cheese, or oatmeal.
Yes, bee pollen should be drunk in the morning on an empty stomach or before a meal.
Bee pollen is a natural and safe product that can be consumed for a long time.
Contraindications to the use of bee pollen are allergies and people allergic to bee products such as honey. It should not be given to children under 3 years of age and diabetics. Due to the content of sugars (sucrose and fructose).
Bee pollen can expire. It is assumed that properly stored can be consumed up to a year after its harvest. It should be remembered that it is a product sensitive to moisture. This carries the risk of mold and fungi development.
Above all, bee pollen should be from verified sources. Another indicator is the price. It is a product whose acquisition is time-consuming, so it cannot be a cheap product. Its taste should be delicate, sweetish. The color should be orange or intensely yellow.
Bibliography:
- Pyłek kwiatowy a pyłek pszczeli (portalpszczelarski.pl)
- fitatu
- Pyłek kwiatowy – rodzaje, właściwości, zastosowanie, dawkowanie, przeciwwskazania – Porady (tovo.pl)
- Pozyskiwanie pyłku – Pasieka24 – portal dla pszczelarzy z pasją
- Jak się zbiera pyłek pszczeli ? (miodnia.pl)
- pf_2014_209-215.pdf (postepyfitoterapii.pl)
- pf_2012_048-054.pdf (postepyfitoterapii.pl)
- Grochowski J. Wpływ długotrwałego podawania pyłku pszczelego na przebieg wszczepiennej białaczki mysiej L-1210. Dokumentacja naukowa. Regional Zrzeszenie Apipol, Kraków 1986
