Nutrition II - Superfoods - Bee Pollen Flashcards
Bee Pollen:
Description
Bee pollen is made by honeybees who collect flower pollen, mix it with nectar from their honey sacs and deliver it to the hive. Here, enzymes are added and it becomes the key food source for the colony.
Bee pollen:
Energetics
Yang, highly nutritive, sweet and warming
Bee pollen:
Composition
- Protein (comprises about 30% protein, a third of which are essential amino acids)
- Carbohydrates (up to 50% of bee pollen being polysaccharides)
- Fatty acids
- Vitamins
- Minerals
- Enzymes
- Phytonutrients including flavonoids and phenolic acids with antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties
Bee pollen:
Benefits and clinical applications
- Antioxidant
- Anti-inflammatory
- Cardiovascular house
- Aids recovery
- Anti-allergic activity
Bee pollen:
Antioxidant
The high antioxidant profile protects body cells from oxidative stress, associated with cancer, atherosclerosis etc
Bee pollen:
Anti–inflammatory
Through inhibition of the inflammatory enzymes COX and LOX
Bee pollen: Cardiovascular health
Decreases LB L and lipid oxidation
Bee pollen: Aids recovery
Highly nutritive; adaptogenic properties (increase resistance to stress)
Bee pollen: Anti allergic activity
Inhibits histamine release from mast cells. A good example of ‘like with like’ (bee pollen used to treat hayfever)
The pollen:
Uses
- Hayfever: Take 1-2 tsp. daily at least four weeks before season starts. No need to take during the season
- Other usage: Add 1-2 tsp daily to yoghurt, cereal, smoothies, fresh juices or sprinkle on salads
- Caution: often works effectively as an anti-allergic despite the allergenic potential of airborne pollen. Discontinue use if there are symptoms including itching, swelling and shortness of breath
- Avoiding pregnancy. There is some concern bee pollen may have uterine-stimulant effects
