Products produced by bees have long been famous for their high nutritional value and beneficial properties for human he alth. Both honey and bee pollen are must-haves in your home cellar to use them for healing and strengthening immunity if necessary. Due to its composition, bee pollen is a real storehouse of nutrients and has found its use as a natural medicinal substance. Recently, it has become the subject of interest not only in medicine, naturopathy, but also in cosmetology.
Bee pollen is not as popular as honey, but its positive effect on human he alth is undeniable. It belongs to the group of the type of food that contains all the amino acids, carbohydrates, fats, enzymes, coenzymes and vitamins necessary for the proper functioning of the body. Its reception has practically no contraindications and eachcan bring maximum benefit.
What is bee pollen?
It is a plant product, harvested and partially processed by bees. With them, it is stored in honeycombs and is also called bee bread or pollen and, in addition to honey itself, is the main protein food of the hive.
Bees collect pollen from flowers, mix it with a small amount of honey and milk, and transfer it to the hive in the form of balls in special baskets on their hind legs. The pollen collected in the hive is intended for the current nutritional needs of the young and creates reserves for the period of absence of pollen in nature.
Thus, bee bread is also preserved for the subsequent feeding of young individuals. The content of one honeycomb (cell), according to beekeepers, is enough to grow one larva. The benefits for humans are in the nutritional and medicinal properties arising from the very rich chemical composition of bee bread. In it, scientists have identified 250 different chemical compounds.
Composition and nutrient content
The most important group of biologically active components in the composition of bee pollen is formed by proteins and free amino acids: arginine, phenylalanine, isoleucine, leucine, lysine, methionine, threonine, valine, alanine, proline, serine, histidine, glycine and others. The presence of amino acids reaches 12%. This pollen has a number of he alth-promoting properties, which are due to the rich content of valuable nutrients that help replenish the dailythe need for individual micro and macro elements.
Composition of vitamins and trace elements of bee bread in the table:
| Name of substance | Content, g |
| Carotenoids | 6, 6-2125 |
| Vitamin E | 210-1700 |
| Vitamin C | 14-2052 |
| Vitamin B1 | 5-15 |
| Vitamin B2 | 5-21 |
| Vitamin B6 | 3-9 |
| Nicotinic acid | 13-210 |
| Pantothenic acid | 3-50 |
| Biotin | 0, 6-6 |
| Folic acid | 3-7 |
This product contains both endo- and exogenous amino acids. The organism of an animal can create the first group itself. And the essential ones must be provided from the outside, since the body does not produce this type of amino acid. Of particular importance is an exogenous group called arginine. Studies have shown that arginine contained in bee bread increases the production of nitric oxide, which lowers the tension of the walls of blood vessels and thus acts diastologically on the coronary arteries in the same way as nitroglycerin. Arginine also prevents red blood cells from clumping together.
In the chemicalmore than 30 enzymes and coenzymes catalyzing numerous biochemical processes in the human body were isolated from bee perga. This product is a rich source of flavonoids, leucoanthocyanins, catechins, oleic and ursolic acids. Phenolic acid is present in significant amounts (about 2 g per 100 g), and most often, chlorogenic acid, coumaric and hydroxybenzene. Lipids include unsaturated fatty acids (SFAs), in particular linoleic acid.
About 40 elements in the form of mineral s alts were found in the bee bread, including a significant amount of potassium, magnesium, iron and zinc. Small amounts of selenium, boron, silver, palladium, platinum, zirconium and titanium are present. Carbohydrates are primarily fructose, glucose, m altose, and to a lesser extent arabinose, isom altose, ribose and others.
Among the vitamins and microelements in bee bread, one can name both fat and water soluble: A, B1, B2, B3, E, C, B6, PP, P, D, H, B12, folic acid, inositol, biotin, pantothenic acid, quercetin.
General medicinal properties
Studies conducted by scientists, and especially their observations of recent years, confirm the beneficial effects of this product on human he alth. It is a very valuable source of many nutrients that should be enriched in the daily diet.
If we talk about nutritional properties, here we can distinguish the following:
- increases appetite, the result is visible after a fewdays of admission;
- regulates metabolism, leads to its normalization, weight loss in obese people;
- strengthens and restores the body, especially recommended for people working in hazardous conditions, children, the elderly with poor he alth;
- works as an anti-anemic agent (increases the number of red blood cells), increases the level of iron in the blood serum.
Detoxifying properties
Due to its useful composition, bee pollen eliminates and reduces the harmful effects of a number of chemical factors on the human body, as well as:
- protects liver tissue from poisoning by toxic substances, and in case of poisoning facilitates the elimination of toxins;
- simplifies the renewal of liver tissue damaged by other chronic diseases by taking a large number of drugs;
- contributes to the treatment of alcoholic diseases, replenishes the lack of bioelements (lost as a result of the disease);
- increases the body's resistance to infections and accelerates their treatment, as well as the number of lymphocytes, increases the content of antibodies.
Working as antidepressants
The composition of bee bread helps to improve the mental well-being of a person. Also:
- reduces nervousness, irritability, strengthens the nervous system, weakened as a result of stress or overwork;
- helps in the treatment of depression, provides a reduction in doses of sedatives, antidepressants;
- also contributes to the treatment of vegetativeneuroses;
- improves blood supply to the nervous tissue, increases mental performance and concentration of the nervous system.
Antiallergic action
Due to its amazing composition and properties, bee pollen, along with honey, can be used to treat allergic diseases. Its use in combination with honey effectively treats hay fever, asthma and greatly alleviates their symptoms.
Antiatherosclerotic value
Bee bread has a pronounced anti-sclerotic effect:
- reduces lipid levels (triglycerides and cholesterol), inhibits platelet aggregation, therefore helps to limit atherosclerosis;
- helps in the treatment of hypertension, peripheral circulatory disorders.
Perga as an antibiotic
Flower pollen extracts have a strong antibacterial effect:
- effective for treating inflammation of the mouth, especially when used in combination with propolis;
- works in the gastrointestinal tract, destroys and suspends the activity of pathogenic bacteria.
Due to its composition, bee perga is used for indigestion:
- helps treat severe constipation;
- brings improvement in diarrhea;
- helps heal stomach and duodenal ulcers, reduces bleeding.
Treatment of prostate diseases
Microelements and vitamins in bee bread have a therapeutic effect in diseases of the prostateglands:
- in the initial stage of the disease, they slow it down, reduce the possibility of relapses;
- in chronic inflammation help in the treatment of the prostate with antibiotics.
Other medicinal properties
This product increases insulin secretion in the maintenance treatment of diabetes mellitus, and with long-term use effectively helps to reduce blood sugar levels. Normalizes vision, has a beneficial effect on the eyes. Namely, bee bread improves visual acuity due to the influence of a high content of riboflavin (vitamin B2) and other bioelements.
Has an anti-inflammatory effect. Due to the content of biologically active components in the bee bread, it contributes to the influence on inflammatory processes in the body. Also helps in the treatment of internal inflammatory processes in the body.
In addition, due to the high concentration of valuable protein, fats, essential oils and vitamins, the product has been used in cosmetics: it nourishes, enriches and rejuvenates the skin, significantly delaying its natural aging process. Due to the presence of amino acids and sulfur content, bee pollen shampoos eliminate dandruff and prevent hair loss, restore and nourish hair and scalp.
Contraindications
Bee pollen is not recommended for people who are allergic to this product. If you are not sure how your body will react and perceive it, take a small amount at first and increase the dose over time. Usually they considerthat 5 grams of bee bread is enough to have a beneficial effect on the body, although many people prefer to eat up to 7 teaspoons a day.
Rules of application
Perga is used in several forms, which make it possible to preserve the greatest nutritional value of the product. It can be taken in the form of absorbable granules, although not everyone may like their slightly sour taste. The second option is to immerse a portion of the product in warm boiled water, which will facilitate the dissolution of the granules. The third option is to mix bee bread with honey. This is the most common way for several reasons:
- so it is characterized by the best taste;
- in combination with honey, the absorption of the components, as well as the vitamins contained in the bee bread, increases.
The he alth of the body largely depends on the quality and composition of the daily diet. The less processed foods you choose, the more naturally sourced foods you consume, which are characterized by increased bioavailability and, above all, a high content of nutrients, without which the body cannot function properly.
Dosage according to age
Daily doses:
- children 3-5 years old, 10 g each (two teaspoons);
- children 6-12 years old - 15 g (three teaspoons);
- teens over 12 and adults 20 g (four teaspoons);
- adults for medicinal purposes, 30-40 g (two tablespoons).
Treatment followscarry out for about 1-3 months twice a year. This product has a strengthening effect on the immune system, will not let colds, flu and runny nose overcome you. It can be taken in different ways, as mentioned above. But it is best, of course, to read the attached instructions. Such therapy can well complement a he althy diet and an active lifestyle. After all, bee bread contains all the nutrients necessary for the normal functioning of the body.
Recipes for homemade beauty masks
Method one (smoothes and nourishes the skin): mix 1 teaspoon of chopped perga with 1 yolk. You can add a teaspoon of honey. Apply to face, leave for half an hour.
Method two (improves complexion): mix two teaspoons of bee bread powder with a little water to obtain a suspension. Apply to face for 30 minutes.
Third method (strengthens the skin, gives it radiance): mix 2 tablespoons of this product, 2 tablespoons of honey, 1 egg yolk, 1 tablespoon of cottage cheese. Apply to face for 30 minutes.
Storage rules
Bee pollen should be kept in a sealed container and preferably in the refrigerator. Only then will there be confidence that it will not lose its valuable properties. If you cook it yourself, then you should do it in small portions. Collect it as much as you can eat in one day, this procedure prolongs its useful life.
