Learn About Bee Pollen
Bees collect pollen from flowers which is brought back to the hive and mixed with nectar and bee saliva to create bee pollen or “bee bread.” Bee pollen is a protein food source for bees.
Bee pollen can be beneficial for human consumption too, as it is energy rich and packed with vitamins, amino acids, minerals and a plethora of other beneficial bioactive components.
The bee pollen is packed into cells and further enriched with honey, digestive enzymes and organic acids.
How is it made?
The hind legs of a honey bee are covered in hairs that collect pollen as bees travel from flower to flower. You may have seen bees with large balls of pollen on their hind legs - these are called pollen baskets!
When the bees return to the hive, the bee pollen is mixed with saliva and nectar to create bee pollen. It is then packed into cells and further enriched with honey, digestive enzymes and organic acids.
To collect bee pollen for human consumption, beekeepers will place a specialized pollen screen in front of the entrance to the hive. The screen has holes just large enough for a bee to pass through. As the bees squeeze through the screen, the pollen will get caught on the screen and can be collected. Any debris such as plant matter or bee particles are removed from the collected pollen.
Bee pollen needs to be refrigerated or dehydrated to keep it from spoiling. At Dr. Bee, we dehydrate our bee pollen at the natural hive temperature (35.5°C) to ensure that the bioactive elements and their associated benefits remain intact.
Almost every vitamin can be found in bee pollen. Bee pollen contains the amino acids leucine, isoleucine, and valine. Bee pollen also contains sodium, potassium, calcium, iron, and magnesium. Phenolic compounds found in other bee products such as chrysin, kaempferol, and CAPE have also been identified in bee pollen.”]
Health Benefits
Nutritional and Digestive Health
Bee pollen is commonly taken as a dietary supplement. It is extremely nutrient dense with high amounts of proteins, fats, minerals and vitamins.
- Studies have shown bee pollen to protect against liver disease and reduces liver damage
- Studies has shown bee pollen to lower cholesterol levels and suggests that it may help manage diabetes
Inflammation and Immune Function
Bee pollen is a significant antioxidant and may improve overall immune function when taken regularly. There are no significant studies that point to the effectiveness of bee pollen against seasonal allergies, however, many people report that their symptoms lessen or disappear after consuming bee pollen for a period of time.
- Studies have shown that bee pollen can reduce the severity of allergic reactions
Chronic Disease
- Studies have shown that bee pollen may improve cardiovascular and bone health
