General Description
Bee pollen is a powderlike substance produced by the anthers of
flowering plants and gathered by honeybees. While the nutrient content
of bee pollen varies widely according to the region and plants from
which it is gathered, it is generally rich in amino acids and also
contains B vitamins, essential fatty acids, vitamin C, calcium,
copper, iron, magnesium, potassium, plant sterols, and simple sugars.
Health applications
- General nutrition
- Fatigue
- Hayfever/allergy
Primary functions
Bee pollen is often promoted as an energy-rich "superfood" for
enhancing athletic performance. It is also used as a folk remedy
for hayfever. There is little scientific evidence to suppport
such uses. Hayfever is generally caused by an allergic reaction
to wind-borne pollens, such as various grass and tree pollens.
While extracts of wind-borne pollens appear to be effective in
desensitizing some pollen-allergic individuals and reducing hayfever
symptoms,1-3 bee pollen, consisting of insect-borne
pollens, has not demonstrated the same effect.
Dosage/toxicity
Because no therapeutic role for bee pollen has been established,
dosage recommendations vary. Label recommendations typically range
from 800 mg to 1600 mg per day. Although bee pollen has very low
toxicity, severe (potentially fatal) reactions have been reported
in some allergic individuals.4-8 |
