Why you should swarm to bee pollen

By Karen Appold

Bee pollen is one of nature’s most completely nourishing foods because it contains nearly all of the nutrients that human beings need. Bee-gathered pollens are rich in vitamins A, B, C, D, E, K, folic acid, calcium, iron, magnesium, potassium, selenium, and zinc.

In addition, it contains more proteins (approximately 40%) than any other product from an animal source. About half of these proteins are free amino acids that are ready for your body’s usage.

Bee pollen is produced by honeybees–its food for young bees. It takes one bee eight hours a day every month to gather enough to create one teaspoonful. Each bee pollen pellet contains more than two million flower pollen grains; one teaspoonful contains more than 2.5 billion flower pollen grains.

Here is a partial list of bee pollen benefits you may receive when you add a daily dose of it to your diet.

• Aids in digestion. Bee pollen contains enzymes, which help your body to get all of the necessary nutrients from foods you eat.

• Benefits heart health. Rutin–found in pollen–is an antioxidant bioflavonoid that strengthens blood vessels, assists with circulatory problems, and fixes cholesterol levels. Its anti-clotting properties may help to prevent strokes and heart attacks.

• Boosts your immune system. Pollen’s antibiotic-type properties support your immune system. It can also prevent you from getting bacterial infections. Because it’s high in antioxidants, it protects your cells from damaging free radicals.

• Enhances energy. The vast variety of nutrients in bee pollen will naturally energize you. Its protein, carbohydrates, and B vitamins will keep you running throughout the day, and help you to ward off fatigue.

• Helps with infertility problems. Pollen restores your ovary’s functions, so it may help you to conceive faster. It also boosts your hormones and improves libido balance.

• Manages allergies. Bee pollen reduces histamines in your body, improving some allergy reactions. It can also desensitize your allergies over time.

• Prevents asthma. Pollen is rich in antioxidants that possibly have anti-inflammatory effects on lung tissues, which lowers your risk of getting asthma.

• Relieves type 2 diabetes symptoms. Bee pollen restores mineral and energy deficiencies, which can relieve diabetes symptoms.

• Sheds unwanted pounds. Bee pollen increases the rate that your body burns calories and fat.

• Soothes the skin. Bee pollen is a common ingredient in topical products designed to treat inflammatory conditions and skin irritations such as eczema and psoriasis. Its vitamins and amino acids protect skin and regenerate cells.

• Treats addictions. By suppressing impulses, pollen can be used to prevent cravings such as those related to drugs and alcohol. It also rids your body of toxins and contaminants.

Karen Appold is a medical writer in Lehigh Valley, PA.