Health Benefits of Bee Pollen
Bee pollen contains vitamins, minerals, lipids, carbohydrates, and is almost 40% protein.
Bees collect pollen, that sticks to their bodies when flying from flower to flower, which is dispersed onto other plants they visit.
In addition to getting carried from flower to flower, bees collect the powder and take it back to the hive.
Once back in the hive, the bees add enzymes to prevent decomposition and then digest it to turn it into honey. Bee pollen is a granule called bee bread that is pollen covered in honey. Honey is pollen that is already digested, which stays fresh longer and feeds the hive.
Why is bee pollen good for you?
Bee pollen is rich in many vitamins, minerals, enzymes, proteins, lipids, and fatty acids, carotenoids, and bioflavonoids which make it an antifungal, antibacterial and an antiviral agent that has many health benefits!
Bee pollen contains all the needed nutrients to live. Actually, scientists fed mice a 100% bee pollen diet and there were no signs of malnutrition. It also contains elements that modern science has not been able to recreate.
The nutritional composition of bee pollen consists of Vitamins A, C. D, E and B complex, free amino acids, rutin, and about 40% protein.
Can bee pollen aid with weight loss?
Bee pollen’s low-calorie content is an easy food source to incorporate into your calorie controlled diet. A 2 tsp serving of bee pollen has only 4 grams of sugar and just 40 calories.
Bee pollen granules have a sweet crunch, which could also explain why bee pollen is such an easy and filling snack in between meals and so effectively kills random food cravings.
It also offers large amounts of nutrients, such as fiber, that can aid with digestion and weight loss. A 2 tsp serving of bee pollen is just 2% of the calorie intake in the average 2,000 calorie diet but contains 5% of the daily fiber needed for men and 8% for women.
Low G.I. foods, like bee pollen, have been linked to fast and effective fat loss. It is known that when insulin levels in the body are low, body fat is much more effectively burned.
Rita Elkins, MH states that “bee pollens primary role in weight control appears to be its ability to stabilize a faulty metabolism.” Bee pollen has been known to almost switch back on a slowing metabolism as well as accelerate it. Bee pollen is rich in lecithin which helps to break down fats.
Is bee pollen good for diabetics?
Research shows us that the faster food enters the blood, the greater the increase in insulin is to follow. There are three main parts of all low glycemic foods, which is the scale used to measure how fast food enters the blood, and these are protein, fiber, and good fats. These three lower the G.I. of foods and control insulin levels in the body.
Bee pollen happens to have a very high protein content and contains 14 fatty acids. Both lead to lower ratings on the G.I. scale.
Research has found that the nutrients in bee pollen help in improving blood circulation. The antioxidants within bee pollen help to regulate blood and are known to reduce blood sugar levels and high cholesterol.
Bee pollen could possibly help in eliminating kidney issues that are diabetes related, like nephropathy or kidney failure.
Who should take it and how?
Please note that bee pollen can cause serious side effects for people allergic to it so please check with your doctor before using. Pregnant and breastfeeding women should also not consume it.
Bee pollen comes in capsules, powders, raw granules and can be mixed into drinks, smoothies or salads, taken as a supplement in between meals or as a meal. I can also be made into all sorts of snack and recipes!
A popular method is to take 1 Tbsp 30 minutes before meals to help regulate blood sugar and fill up.
Another method is to use it as a meal replacement. Take multiple tablespoons with water as a meal replacement, usually breakfast or lunch. (This is something you must build up to slowly).
Bee pollen has been known to cause a burst of energy in some people so if you plan on taking it, try it out around breakfast or lunch instead of before bed.
