What is Bee Pollen?
Bees collect pollen from flowers during mass flowering from April to September. The pollen is shaped into small balls and stored in the hive cells where it is fermented and mixed with honey to become "bee bread," a vital food for the larvae. Bee pollen is rich in proteins, vitamins, and minerals necessary for bee nutrition.
Composition and Benefits
Bee pollen contains a variety of essential nutrients:
- Water: 21.3 - 30.0%
- Dry matter: 70.0 - 81.7%
- Proteins: 7.0 - 36.7%
- Carbohydrates: 20.0 - 38.8%
- Fructose: 19.4%
- Glucose: 14.1%
- Lipids: 1.38 - 20.0%
- Minerals: 0.9 - 5.5%
Bee pollen is a powerful source of protein, surpassing the biological value of milk protein. It contains fatty acids like lauric, myristic, palmitic, and stearic acids, which regulate hormonal activity, reduce cholesterol levels, and remove it from the body. Phospholipids in bee pollen aid in ion regulation and metabolic processes, while carotenoids convert to vitamins A and C.
Collection and Storage
Beekeepers use pollen collectors to gather bee pollen. Bees pass through screens that dislodge the pollen, which is then collected in trays. The pollen is dried and stored in food containers at temperatures between 0-14°C. Properly stored pollen retains its properties for up to one year but loses efficacy over time.
Health Benefits and Uses
Bee pollen offers numerous health benefits, including:
- Immune Support: Enhances immunity and prevents viral diseases, especially when taken in summer. Fresh pollen, rich in enzymes like lysozyme, is more effective than synthetic vitamins and immunostimulants.
- Cardiovascular Health: High in vitamin P (rutin), it strengthens capillaries, reduces blood clotting, and improves red blood cell elasticity. Beneficial for both hypotensive and hypertensive individuals, it helps manage blood pressure, ischemic heart disease, and other cardiovascular conditions.
Bee Pollen also supports intellectual performance, hormonal balance, and overall vitality. It has anti-inflammatory, diuretic, choleretic, antitumor, and radioprotective properties. Additionally, it regulates digestive health and aids in the treatment of dysbiosis, enterocolitis, and constipation.
For men, pollen addresses issues like sexual impotence, prostate problems, and hormonal decline.
For children, it boosts appetite, physical development, and resistance to illnesses. Elderly individuals benefit from its rejuvenating and health-improving effects.
Bee Pollen is a versatile and nutrient-rich supplement with a wide range of health benefits. Its unique composition makes it valuable for improving immunity, cardiovascular health, intellectual performance, and overall well-being. Proper storage and regular consumption can enhance its effectiveness as a natural, biologically active supplement.
