Most of us know about the health benefits of raw, organic honey products. But what about bee pollen? What is it and how can it be used?
Bee pollen is a mixture of flower pollen, nectar, enzymes, wax, honey and bee secretions. Honey bees collect pollen from wild plants and flowers and bring it back to the hive, where it’s stored and used as food to keep the colony flourishing.
The pollen is packed by worker bees into a ball-shaped pellet which contains vitamins and minerals. These pellets of bee pollen can be used in various ways and have numerous health benefits.
-Bee pollen contains more than 250 healthy substances such as vitamins, minerals, fatty acids, lipids, enzymes and antioxidants.
-The high amounts of antioxidants in bee pollen have been known to improve health and prevent diseases by protecting the body from harmful molecules known as free radicals.
-Bee pollen may lower your risk for heart disease by lowering LDL cholesterol, also known as “bad cholesterol.”
-Bee pollen may boost liver function and protect from liver disease, by enhancing the liver’s detoxifying abilities.
-It is full of certain compounds with anti-inflammatory properties. Bee pollen has traditionally been used to reduce swelling and inflammation.
-Bee pollen may aid wound healing by decreasing bacteria. It has also been known to help you avoid illness by boosting your immune system.
How do you use bee pollen?
Bee pollen can be bought from your local health store or beekeeper and is a great addition to a healthy diet. You can also purchase bee pollen from the Ioway Bee Farm on our website at https://sweetgrasstrad.wpengine.com/product/ioway-bee-farm-bee-pollen/.
Bee pollen “pellets” can be added to smoothies or sprinkled over cereals, yogurt or oatmeal. It can also be added to homemade granola. Store the bee pollen in a cool, dark place out of direct sunlight.
Bee pollen is safe for most people to consume. However, if you have a bee or pollen allergy, you should avoid pollen products. Bee pollen products can also negatively interfere with blood thinners. Nursing and pregnant mothers should avoid pollen products as well, as there is no evidence that pollen is safe for babies
*Source: https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/bee-pollen#section4