‘Superfoods’ are nutritionally dense foods that may offer significant benefits as we strive towards optimal health and vitality. They are often described as natures gift as they are real foods in their natural form that our bodies can recognise and utilise to our advantage. They are typically nutrient rich and can work in our bodies on a cellular level, therefore quite literally supporting the theory “we are what we eat!”
Bee pollen is reputed to be nature’s richest source of vitamins in any one single food. It is a nutrient powerhouse including vitamins, amino acids, fatty acids, enzymes, plant chemicals and at least 25% protein. Its many compounds are considered to have antioxidant and antibacterial properties and have a vast number of reputed health gains including stimulation of the immune system, detoxification and modulation of hormone metabolism. These properties link to reported benefits for sports endurance, longevity, allergy relief linked to reduced histamine production, weight control, blood vessel strengthening and skin health.
Bee pollen is tasty with a slight honey flavour and a gentle floral sweetness making it easier to include in your family’s diet than many other superfoods. Generally 1 teaspoon a day is recommended for an adult but it’s worth starting with a smaller dose (1-2 grains) under the tongue to check for any reaction. Some people can be sensitive and signs may include an itchy throat, runny nose, headache, sweating, teary eyes or other allergic symptoms. Checking children can tolerate bee pollen is also important starting with 1-2 grains under the tongue. If there is no reaction recommendations suggest 1/3 tsp. from ages 2-6, 1/2 tsp. from 6-12 and from 12 upwards they can take the adult dosage of 1 tsp.
Possible ways to introduce bee pollen include:
- Sprinkling onto a smoothie or into a juice
- Adding to natural yoghurt or homemade ice cream
- Mixing into homemade muesli
- Adding to raw flapjacks, cakes and energy bars
This is a great superfood to include at this time of year, as it just allows you to retain a little of that taste of summer in the knowledge that it’s packing your body a powerful punch as we prepare for winter.
Enjoy!
Sources:
de Arruda, V. A. S., Santos Pereira, A. A., Estevinho, L. M., & de Almeida-Muradian, L. B. (2013). Presence and stability of B complex vitamins in bee pollen using different storage conditions. Food and Chemical Toxicology, 51, 143-148.
Feás, X., Vázquez-Tato, M. P., Estevinho, L., Seijas, J. A., & Iglesias, A. (2012). Organic bee pollen: botanical origin, nutritional value, bioactive compounds, antioxidant activity and microbiological quality. Molecules, 17(7), 8359-8377.
Kaur, R., Kumar, N. K., & Harjai, K. (2013). Phytochemical analysis of different extracts of bee pollen. International Journal of Pharmaceutical and Biological Research, 4, 65-68.
