It contains at least 22 amino acids, 18 vitamins, 25 minerals, 59 trace elements, 11 enzymes or co-enzymes, 14 fatty acids, 11 carbohydrates and approximately 25% protein. Bee pollen is extremely rich in carotenes, which are metabolic precursors of vitamin A. It is also high in B complex and vitamins C, D, E and Lecithin. Bee pollen contains over 50% more protein than beef, yet its fat content is very low. It is also an excellent vegetarian source of protein typically possessing more of the essential amino acids, pound for pound, than animal proteins like meat, eggs, and dairy products. Bee pollen is packed with antioxidants called flavonoids - myricetin, quercetin, rutin, and trans-cinnamic acid.
Myricetin helps white blood cells remove the "bad" LDL cholesterol from the bloodstream. Quercetin is a natural antihistamine, beneficial for allergies. Rutin helps as a remedy for varicose veins. Rutin helps protects veins throughout the body and studies have supported the theory that it may help prevent other health problems as well. The body uses trans-cinnamic acid to make its own antibiotics, and this trans-cinnamic acid also powers the detoxifying processes of the liver.
Researchers at the Institute of Apiculture, Taranov, Russia, report that “honeybee pollen is the richest source of vitamins found in nature in a single food. Even if bee pollen had none of its other vital ingredients, its content of rutin (a bioflavonoid) alone would justify taking at least a teaspoon daily, if for no other reason than strengthening capillaries”.
Pollen also provides a high content of the immune boosting nucleics RNA (ribonucleic acid) and DNA (deoxyribonucleic acid). RNA and DNA are critical for health and longevity. They are responsible for directing cellular growth, renewal and repair, and deficiencies of them cause premature aging and compromised immunity. RNA-DNA is depleted in the body by exercise, stress, pollution, and poor diet. Replenishing RNA-DNA is critical to every aspect of bodily health and longevity.
Studies have indicated that Bee pollen may rejuvenate unhealthy or aging skin. Dr. Lars-Erik Essen, a dermatologist in Halsinborg, Sweden, says: “Through transcutaneous nutrition, bee pollen exerts a profound biological effect. It seems to prevent premature aging of the cells and stimulates growth of new human tissues. It offers protection against dehydration and injects new life into dry cells. The skin becomes younger looking, less vulnerable to wrinkles, smoother, and healthier with the use of honeybee pollen.”
Aside from its energy-boosting and vitality-increasing properties from its B-complex vitamins, bee pollen has also been shown help in lowering stress levels and to effectively boost immunity which would be perfect for those individuals who are susceptible to upper respiratory tract infections like colds and coughs.
For those people who are into detoxification, bee pollen can also be ideal, as it is extremely rich in nutrients. This would help in the sense that your body would still be taking in all the important nutrients as you detoxify, which usually entails lessening your intake of food.
The use of bee pollen has also extended to the area of weight loss. Pollen has been shown to have an ability to promote fat loss by rectifying the chemical imbalances that many overweight people have. Pollen can also improve metabolism, and dissolves and flushes fat cells from the body due to is high percentage of lecithin. Because pollen is so nutritionally complete and balanced, it also helps reduce food cravings.
Additionally, bee pollen is popular among athletes, as they use it to improve their strength, stamina, endurance and mental clarity. A lot of athletes believe that bee pollen has the ability to assist them in their training and recovery.
In the light of today’s nutrient-deficient diets, bee pollen is being popularly used to close the nutritional gap. In particular it is seen as protection against any insufficiencies in vitamins, minerals, and amino acids, particularly during times of intensive physical or mental work. It is a natural product that is well tolerated by the body. During its many years of testing, pollen has been notably free of harmful side-effects.
Notice: Any bee product can provoke an allergic reaction in a susceptible individual. Bee products are not recommended for people with asthma. You should check with your doctor before taking any supplements.