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Bees produce several products highly beneficial to human health, including bee pollen, royal jelly, propolis, beeswax, bee venom, and of course, honey. Bee pollen originates from plants and contains some of the healthy components of the plant itself. As with honey, the composition of bee pollen is highly dependent upon the plant it comes from. To create bee pollen, the pollen from the plants is mixed with nectar and/or the saliva from bees. Then, the bees bring it back to the hive where it becomes fuel. Because it is used as fuel, it has to be nutrient-rich, and this composition lends it to being a beneficial health food for (most) humans, as well as bees.

Bee pollen contains carbohydrates, protein, lipids, minerals, and vitamins. Roughly 35% percent of dried pollen is protein, and it contains all the essential amino acids and is a rich source of the B-complex vitamins. Additionally, it has several key phytonutrients, including polyphenols and carotenoids, all of which might work together to promote health and well-being.

Health benefits of bee pollen:

• Oxidative stress: The rich polyphenol content, including flavonoids, quercetin, and phenolic acids, in bee pollen provides it with a high number of antioxidants to protect against the damage of free radicals.
  • Another study found that bee pollen helped lessen the free radical damage caused by a common chemotherapy drug (cisplatin) in mice. Researchers found that consuming the bee products greatly reduced the toxic effects of the medicine, thanks to the antioxidant activity reducing lipid peroxidation and increasing the concentration of glutathione. Bee pollen appeared to have a more potent effect than propolis, especially in testicular cells.
  • Pollen may mitigate damage to cells by supporting the proteasome, which plays a role in the turnover of proteins, both as part of normal cellular turnover and damage control. Oxidative stress triggers the proteasome to degrade proteins, which is an important part of regular cellular turnover for homeostasis and health.
• Antibacterial: Bee pollen has exhibited antagonistic bacterial interactions with pathogenic bacteria, including aureus ATCC 25923, S. aureus ATCC 29213, S. epidermidis 12228, P. aeruginosa ATCC 27857, and E. coli ATCC 25922. It has also been found to have antiviral activities by inhibiting influenza.
• Anti-allergic agent and allergy desensitization: Bee pollen does this by working on mast cells and basophils. It also contains two polyphenols known for helping with allergies—quercetin and kaempferol—which also inhibit the degranulation of mast cells and basophils.
• Anticancer: Antioxidant properties in bee pollen help in the fight against cancer by preventing and/or blunting some of the oxidative stress damage associated with cancer. Bee pollen polysaccharides have been found to inhibit cancer cell growth and proliferation.
• Hepatoprotective: Due to the antioxidant effect of bee pollen, it may be a beneficial functional food, especially for conditions such as non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). An in vitro study found that cells treated with bee pollen extracts had an anti-steatosis effect.
• Treating anemia: An older study demonstrated the potential use of bee pollen in treating nutritional ferropenic anemia. More research is needed.
• Aromatase inhibition: One of the flavonoids found in bee pollen, chrysin, is an aromatase inhibitor. Inhibiting this enzyme can lead to higher levels of testosterone and lower levels of estrogen in women. This result might be beneficial for those with high levels of estrogen or low levels of testosterone, but it can lead to health problems for those with normal levels. It might also exacerbate symptoms in women with high levels of testosterone and low levels of estrogen.
• Fertility: One study with rats found that consuming bee pollen helped regulate ovarian functions. Fertility rates may also improve due to the effects on in vitro fertilization, gamete cryopreservation, and embryo development.
• Male infertility: A study on rats found that consuming chrysin provides benefits to the male reproductive system. Additionally, bee pollen can also help boost testosterone levels in men. In one study, researchers reported that chrysin helps increase steroidogenesis in Leydig cells from mice. They postulated this was due to the increased sensitivity of cAMP stimulation, which begins the process of steroidogenesis.
• Menopausal symptoms: One study on women with breast cancer taking aromatase inhibitors and tamoxifen found that 70 percent of participants saw improvement in menopause symptoms through taking a bee pollen and honey concoction. This effect was similar to those who took just the honey but higher than the placebo.

How to choose the best bee pollen

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.

Bee pollen may be found in various forms, including capsules and powders. Some bee pollen products recommend refrigerating the product after opening to maintain freshness.

Because bee products are sourced from living insects and hives, 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.