Did you know that pollen contains almost all the nutrients the body needs for growth? Pollen is responsible for many of the benefits of raw honey, and it is called bee pollen, or pollen. So learn about the most important benefits of pollen and its possible harm.

What is pollen

Pollen is a small grain that bees collect from the anthers of a plant, and mix it with a small dose of salivary gland secretion or nectar. After the bees collect pollen, it is brought to the hive to be packed into honeycomb cells. Then the bees cover the surface of the pollen with a thin layer of wax and honey.

The color of bee pollen may vary from light yellow to black, depending on the type of plant from which the bees collect the grain. Bee pollen has been known as a natural remedy for many diseases, because it contains many chemical compounds made by bees, including amino acids, flavonoids, vitamins, and fats.

Nutritional value

Each tablespoon of bee pollen contains the following nutritional values:

• Carbohydrates: 2.18 g
• Protein: 1.2 g
• Fat: 0.24 g
• Pollen calories per tablespoon: 16 calories

Bee pollen also contains 250 types of nutrients, including flavonoids and vitamins. To take advantage of the nutritional values ​​of pollen, you can add it to salads, baked goods, or oatmealjuices, or yogurt.

The benefits of pollen

Among the most prominent benefits of pollen are the following:

1. Maintaining a healthy liver

Pollen protects liver cells from oxidative stress and promotes the healing process of toxic liver damage. The results of some studies have shown the effectiveness of using bee pollen as a safe alternative to selenine in the treatment of liver injuries.

2. Strengthening the functioning of the immune system

Bee pollen has antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties. The researchers also found that bee pollen has an anti-allergic effect, as a result of its ability to inhibit the activation of mast cells, which play an important role in the early and late stages of allergic reactions.

3. Prevention of chronic diseases

Some recent studies revealed the effectiveness of using bee pollen for patients suffering from various diseases such as heart patients, type 2 diabetes, cancer patients, and high blood pressure. This is because it has antioxidant properties, which works to combat free radicals, thus preventing the risk of infection.

4. Natural food supplement

Some laboratory studies conducted on rabbits found that taking bee pollen helped improve the health of animals and increased their ability to grow. Therefore, researchers have suggested the possibility of using pollen as a nutritional supplement useful for children who suffer from malnutrition, lack of appetite, or delay in growth.

5. Reducing stress levels

One of the benefits of pollen is also that it helps improve blood flow to nervous tissues, thus enhancing brain capacity and strengthening the nervous system. Therefore, it is considered one of the most effective natural analgesics for the treatment of stress. It may also be beneficial for people with low energy, especially the elderly.

6. Promote the healing process

Bee pollen acts as a topical analgesic to relieve pain resulting from stress or injury, due to the fact that it contains kaempferol, which inhibits the activity of enzymes after exposure to a burn. It also reduces swelling and inflammation.

Some studies have found the effectiveness of pollen in helping to improve blood circulation, moisturize the skin, and prevent platelet aggregation.

It may also help prevent infection, due to its antimicrobial properties. Allowing for faster healing of wounds, and detoxification of the body.

Benefits of pollen for women

The researchers found that the use of bee pollen honey helped relieve menopausal symptoms, especially in women suffering from breast cancer and undergoing anti-hormonal therapy.

The researchers also pointed out the benefits of flavonoids found in pollen and honey in reducing the risk of breast cancer. So it may be a good option for women who suffer from symptoms of menopause, problems with breast cancer, or without a history of the disease as well.

The benefits of pollen for sex

Not only does pollen help maintain sexual health, but it increases energy, reduces stress levels, and boosts the functioning of the immune system. Bee pollen also has a significant effect on sperm count, so it is likely to increase fertility.

In addition, the results of a laboratory study, which was conducted on mice, in order to evaluate the effectiveness of bee pollen on the state of blood sugar, and testicular dysfunction. That the use of these pills has helped to prevent the risk of testicular weakness resulting from diabetes. However, more human studies are needed to confirm these results.

How to use pollen

Make sure to buy bee pollen from a reputable source to ensure it is free from chemical processing or pesticides. And for the use of pollen in the treatment of nutritional deficiencies or inflammation, or the treatment of stress. You can eat a small spoonful of ground grain mixed with honey, yogurt, cheese, butter, jam, or granolaor otherwise, on a daily basis.

The amount of pollen taken may vary from one person to another, but the permissible amount for adults is between 2 to 3 teaspoons per day. As for children, the dose may be between one to two tablespoons.

Bee pollen is usually taken 3 times a day before eating. As for the duration of treatment, it may take a period ranging from one to three months.

But it may be best to start with a dose of 1/4 teaspoon and increase it gradually, with the goal of making sure you don’t have an allergic reaction to pollen use.

Bee pollen can also be added to baked goods, salads, and juices, or added to a cup of warm water and soaked for two to three hours, until you get a great nutritional value.

Pollen damage

Pollen is generally safe, but some people may experience an allergic reaction to its use, which leads to some side effects such as:

• itching
• Vertigo
• Swelling and excessive sensitivity
• hard breathing

So, if any of these symptoms appear, stop taking pollen immediately, and consult a doctor. It is also recommended to avoid using bee pollen in the following cases:

• Pregnant and lactating women
• Take blood thinners such as warfarin

Bee pollen may cause severe bleeding if taken with blood thinners. Therefore, it is necessary to consult a doctor before taking it if you are taking any kind of medication, whether by prescription or without.