Breaking news: bees aren’t good for just their honey. Bee pollen is one of the richest and purest natural foods out there. Consuming it in small amounts can actually strengthen your immune system, help build resistance to allergens and curb hunger.
If you’re on the prowl for a new superfood that will give you a natural boost of energy, look no further.
What is bee pollen?
Bee pollen comes in the form of tiny, yellow-colored granules (basically, little nuggets of gold). As bees zoom from flower to flower collecting nectar, some of the flowers’ pollen is brushed onto their legs. Before entering the hive, the bees pack the pollen into granules that will eventually get fed to their young. That’s where the beekeepers come in.
On occasion, a small screen can be fitted on the doorway of the hive that harmlessly removes a few of the granules carried on the bees’ legs; the collected granules are then packaged and sold as bee pollen.
What's in it?
Bee pollen is one of the richest sources of vitamins found in nature in a single food. It contains more than 96 nutrients essential to life, and on top of that, it’s made up of 40% protein.
One of the best characteristics of bee pollen is that everything that can be derived from it is already broken down to the furthest extent, meaning your body doesn’t have to do any of the work to unlock all of those valuable nutrients.
Why is it good for me?
Okay, so bee pollen is packed full of vitamins and nutrients. How can you benefit? If you’re one of those people who finds themselves sneezing nonstop during allergy season, try turning to bee pollen as a natural remedy.
In order to maximize its effectiveness, bee pollen should be taken daily at least six weeks before allergy season begins, as well as throughout the season. Consuming bee pollen actually desensitizes your body to it, stimulating your immune system to produce antibodies which will eliminate the allergic reaction. With bee pollen incorporated into your diet, you might actually be able to function properly during allergy season again.
Bee pollen also works wonders in a weight-control regimen. Through its stimulation of your body’s natural metabolic processes, bee pollen can actually speed up caloric burn.
If any of you have taken any Intro to Bio courses (Biology majors, holla), you might be familiar with the amino acid called Phenylalanine, a natural appetite suppressor that the body requires. When consumed, bee pollen’s natural phenylalanine content can help to eliminate cravings.
How can I consume it?
You only need to eat a tiny amount of bee pollen (maybe a tbsp or two) in order to reap its benefits. If you don’t feel like washing down a tablespoon of it with water every morning like me, try incorporating it into your daily breakfast. Sprinkling the granules over smoothie bowls, yogurt, or cereal works great. If you don’t like the actual taste of the pollen, just add it into a smoothie or smoothie bowl as it’s blending and mix it right up.
Bee pollen isn’t exactly the first thing that comes to mind when you think “super food” however, as I’ve mentioned, consuming bee pollen regularly can benefit your health in a variety of ways.
Despite all of the annoying scientific jargon I’ve thrown at you, I hope you’ve become convinced of bee pollen’s high nourishment value. Thanks to this overlooked superfood, with only a little effort (I mean literally a tbsp of it), you can take your personal health to new, never-before-seen levels. Save the bees!