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Bees produce several products highly beneficial to human health, including bee pollen, propolis, beeswax, bee venom, and of course, honey. Royal jelly (also called apilak or queen bee jelly) is a substance secreted in the glands of the worker bees of the hive. It serves as an important nutrient-rich resource for the queen larvae and worker bees. Unsurprisingly, it has numerous health benefits for humans, too.

Royal jelly is considered a functional food that contains bioactives with antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anticancer effects. Additionally, it possesses similar health benefits as other bee products, exerting antibacterial, immunoregulatory, and antidiabetic effects.

Health benefits of royal jelly:

• Immunoregulation: This may regulate immune function by supporting wound healing, cell proliferation stimulation, anti-inflammation, and anti-allergic effects. Major royal jelly proteins (MRJP) were found to stimulate macrophages and decrease inflammatory cytokines in mice. An older mouse study demonstrated the ability of MRJP3 to inhibit immunoglobulin.
• Longevity: Improves longevity by increasing the epidermal growth factor receptor-mediated signaling pathway, upregulating MAPK and S6K, increasing the expression of SOD1, and decreasing malonaldehyde levels. Another study showed that human cells treated with MRJPs had increased cell proliferation, elongated telomeres, and reduced senescence.
• Memory and cognitive function: Oral administration resulted in increased spatial memory, reduced neurodegeneration, and decreased oxidative stress in Wistar rats over 2 weeks.
• Improves gut dysbiosis: Royal jelly increased microbiome diversity when fed to db/db Additionally, the medium-chain fatty acids (MCFA) present in royal jelly reduced gene expression associated with inflammation. Older rat studies have determined that royal jelly reduces intestinal inflammation. It prevented damage to colon tissues caused by colitis and reduced mast cells.
• Blood glucose support: In a rat study, royal jelly had similar effects on glycemic control as metformin in rats with type 1 diabetes mellitus. While more research is needed to understand the effects of royal jelly on type 2 diabetes, these results are promising in that they showed the reduction of VLDL-C and triglycerides, which would benefit factors involved in the development of type 2 diabetes. A systematic review concluded that more evidence is required to understand the effects of royal jelly on glucose regulation.
• Metabolic disease prevention: An 8-week study evaluated the effects of royal jelly on overweight adults. Supplementation with royal jelly resulted in reduced cholesterol, lower levels of CRP, increased adiponectin, and greater antioxidant capacity.
• Antibacterial: An in vitro study demonstrated the antibacterial and anti-inflammatory effects of a unique fatty acid found in royal jelly. In particular, royal jelly was found to act as a bactericide against aureus, S. alactolyticus, S. intermedius B, S. xylosus, Salmonella cholearasuis, Vibro parahaemolyticus, and E. coli.
• Anticancer: When synergistically combined with chemotherapy and anticancer drugs, royal jelly may have antitumor effects, although more research is needed. A recent mouse study looked at the effects of royal jelly cancerous tumors and found that oral administration of 200-400mg/kg royal jelly caused apoptosis of cancerous cells. Additionally, antioxidant enzymes (CAT, SOD, GPx) significantly increased with administration of royal jelly.
• Alzheimer’s disease: A mouse study demonstrated that 3 months of oral administration of royal jelly resulted in reduced amyloid plaque and oxidative stress (via the reduction of c-Jun N-terminal kinase phosphorylation-induced neuronal apoptosis). Additionally, royal jelly administration increased cAMP, p-PKA, CREB, and BDNF levels.
• Hepatoprotective: In a mouse study evaluating the effect of royal jelly on non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), researchers determined that mice fed royal jelly had better NAFLD scores and reduced gene expression for fibrosis, inflammation in the liver, and fatty acid metabolism. What’s more, royal jelly consumption also resulted in an increased abundance of gut microbe species, especially Bacteroides.
• Reproductive health: Royal jelly contains estrogen, progesterone, prolactin, and testosterone. Because of its estrogen-like activity in humans, royal jelly may be used to relieve premenstrual syndrome and infertility in polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS). Other animal studies have reported improved male fertility, better pregnancy outcomes (including those achieved via in vitro fertilization), and enhanced semen quality.
• Reduces menopause-related symptoms: Postmenopausal women were given 1000mg of royal jelly capsules or a placebo daily for 8 weeks. The women consuming the royal jelly capsules reported a reduction in menopausal symptoms.

How to choose the best royal jelly

Most of the studies on bee products look at pure samples of medical-grade or high-quality products (e.g., Manuka honey). That does not mean the products purchased in the supermarket do not have some of these beneficial properties. If consumed regularly, these products may provide some individuals with some protection from allergies, infection, and oxidative stress, based on individual circumstances.

Royal jelly is often sold as a functional food (i.e., jarred like honey), capsule, or tablet. To maintain freshness and potency, royal jelly should be refrigerated and used within 12 months of opening.

Keep in mind, bee products are sourced from living insects and hives. As such, it is important to choose ethically-sourced products that aim to retain bee and hive health when extracting.

Final thoughts

Medicinal products have the potential power to remedy numerous conditions and diseases. They may also be used to boost quality of life. Research, while growing, is just entering human trial phases for some bee products. Much of the available research is limited to older in vitro or animal studies. Nonetheless, medicinal bee products show the potential to support human health. So, how can one start taking advantage of all these benefits?

It is essential to discuss using bee products with a doctor, nutritionist, dietitian, or other healthcare provider before taking any bee products supplementarily, especially if taking any pharmaceuticals. Additionally, care should be taken by those with severe allergic responses to pollen, bees, or bee products, especially if there has been a history of anaphylactic shock.