ON THE CHEMICAL COMPOSITION, BIOLOGICAL EFFECTS, AND MEDICINAL PROPERTIES OF BEE POLLEN*

For humans, bee pollen is a valuable, health-promoting natural product from beekeeping. No man-made food product possesses such a complex composition and beneficial properties as bee pollen. Bee pollen contains approximately 250 different compounds: proteins (mostly as free amino acids), simple sugars, fatty acids (predominantly unsaturated fatty acids), an especially rich amount of B-group vitamins, biostimulants, antibacterial compounds, minerals, trace elements, and more.

The daily amino acid requirement of an adult is covered by 30g, or two tablespoons, of bee pollen.

Bee pollen and honey have significant differences; therefore, these bee products complement each other perfectly. Honey contains many simple sugars, whereas bee pollen contains fats and amino acids, which are absent in honey. Bee pollen is richer in B- and A-group vitamins, while honey contains vitamin C. The presence of minerals and trace elements also does not completely overlap.

Bee pollen is not a miracle cure. Bee pollen should be regarded as an active natural product that compensates for the loss of vitamins, minerals, enzymes, and similar substances in industrially processed foods.

Bee products (honey and bee pollen) are primarily general strengthening, tonic, and metabolism-regulating agents. Even with good health, bee products should be consumed daily, as this helps prevent many diseases.
According to Gunnar Aarma, a renowned Estonian sage (now deceased), the best food for humans is grain. Our baked goods (breads, buns, pastries) are mostly made from refined flour, from which 80% of minerals have been lost due to milling. This results in low-value flour products that we consume year after year. This, in turn, leads to a chronic deficiency of minerals in the human body, resulting in bone thinning during aging. Bee pollen contains 5-10 times more minerals than wheat flour. Therefore, consuming bee pollen would effectively compensate for the deficiency of minerals (calcium, phosphorus, magnesium) in the body and prevent bone thinning.

Bee pollen is an excellent remedy for constipation. Bee pollen has a continuous, mild laxative effect. A person regularly consuming bee pollen or perga will soon forget about constipation or loose bowels.

Depression and spring fatigue are ailments of the winter and early spring period when sunlight is scarce and fresh fruits and vegetables are less available. Bee pollen is also an effective remedy for these ailments.

Positive results from consuming bee pollen become apparent within a week. The health issues mentioned above are typical and widespread today. The list of all possible diseases and health problems for which bee pollen can provide treatment or relief is, of course, much longer.

Finally, there are some warnings. Bee pollen contains abundant biologically active substances, so its consumption should not be excessive. According to many authors, it is not advisable to consume more than 30g of bee pollen per day. Excessive consumption dangerously burdens the liver and can cause liver damage. The amount to be consumed is determined by the pre-treatment of bee pollen and the individual’s health condition. To strengthen health, it is recommended to consume 20-24g of bee pollen, or a heaped tablespoon, per day. This amount is recommended to be divided between morning and noon. It is advisable to take it 1-2 hours before meals and not to consume it in the evening.

More cautious authors recommend limiting daily consumption to 2.5-5g of bee pollen, i.e., about 1-2 teaspoons.
There are hypersensitive (allergic) individuals who cannot consume bee pollen. For such individuals, even a small amount of bee pollen can cause an asthma attack, hives, skin itching, etc.

*Source:
“On Bee Pollen in Nature, its Collection, Technological Processing, and Use
Opportunities and Use of Perga Production”
Summary of development work PR-3-1.12-4 compiled by Mati Haabel, June-August 2007.
The development work was carried out within the framework of the Estonian Beekeeping Program, supported by the European Union.

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Composition and Properties of Bee Pollen**: