What is pollen?
They are tiny dust particles of different colors that plants disperse into the air by wind or other carriers for fertilization. They are also called "Flower Pollen".
Pollen has very important nutritional sources that humans and animals need for nutrition. For this reason, it is one of the foods that has earned the title of "cure for all diseases". Pollen is used by bees in nature to meet their needs such as protein, vitamins and minerals in their nutrition.
Nutritional value of pollen?
Pollen is a very rich substance structurally; in addition to protein, carbohydrates, fiber and fats, it contains many substances that show antioxidant activity such as vitamins (Niacin (B3), Pyridoxine (B6), Thiamine (B1), Riboflavin (B2), Pantothenic acid (B5), Folic acid, Biotin (H), Tocopherol (E), Ascorbic acid (C), Beta carotene, minerals (Potassium (K), Calcium (Ca), Magnesium (Mg), Zinc (Zn), Iron (Fe), Copper (Cu), Manganese (Mn), Phosphorus (P), Selenium, phenolic substances, amino acids, fatty acids and organic acids .
Below you can read the contents about the benefits of pollen in a concise and clear manner.
What is the benefit of pollen?
It has cell regenerative properties. It gives vitality, stimulates organs and glands and increases life resistance. The fact that pollen can be taken continuously causes a noticeable increase in energy. It is consumed as a favorite food among world athletes. This is related to increasing and maintaining the quality of performance. It is also used in the treatment of children with allergies and prostate patients.
Researchers have determined that it strengthens the immune system, makes it resistant to X-rays, has antibacterial and antiviral properties, and has a certain antibiotic property, especially against Escherichia coli and Proteus microorganisms that cause serious diseases.
They are called entomophilia or “friends of insects” and rarely cause allergy symptoms. The quercetin it contains prevents the release of histamine into the body and this substance is thought to be one of the contributing factors to reducing allergies and hay fever.
According to many experts, one of the most important features of pollen is that although it is not a medicine but a basic food, it has extraordinary benefits and can be used as food very easily.
It is recommended to eat on an empty stomach, 20-30 minutes before meals. The common adult dose is about 450-580 mg 3-4 times a day. It can also be eaten by putting it in cakes, pills, crystal granules, gels, drinks.
Example of scientific study on pollen
We share different scientific findings under subheadings below.
Milk and pollen
Studies have shown that bee pollen exhibits antimicrobial activity when added to fermented milk drinks. Similarly, adding bee pollen to acidophilus milk and probiotic yogurt increased probiotic viability and beverage viscosity without affecting sensory properties, and lactic acid production independent of fat level. (1) (An important situation for those who want cell renewal and healthy beautiful skin)
Biscuits and pollen
With the increasing bee pollen ratio in the prepared biscuits, protein, sugar, ash, fiber, polyphenols and antioxidant potential increased significantly, but the taste was negatively affected by this situation. (1) (Our mothers can obtain healthy foods by using pollen in treats such as biscuits, cookies and cakes.)
Bread and pollen
In bread, an improvement in techno-functional properties, a decrease in the staling rate and an increase in the overall organoleptic acceptability of the bread were achieved. (1)
Antioxidant and protective pollen
Due to its high antioxidant potential and phenolic compound content, bee pollen has been used to prevent fat oxidation in puddings, meat products and beverages, and positive results have been obtained. (1)
Protein solubility and pollen
When bee pollen is compared to other protein sources, it is seen that it has high protein solubility despite its low protein content. Protein solubility is considered the most important technofunctional property since it affects other properties such as emulsification, foaming and gelation. (1)
Copper, Zinc, Magnesium, Calcium and Pollen
When the Copper, Zinc, Magnesium and Calcium content of pollen was determined and 20 grams were consumed daily, the daily element levels for women and men were determined as 19.11%-19.11%, 8.83%-6.42%, 6.96%-5.30% and 2.07%-2.07%, respectively. Copper and Zinc are trace elements necessary for human health as cofactors of more than 100 enzymes that play a role in the synthesis of connective tissue such as collagen and elastin and have various activities such as antioxidants. According to many studies, it is thought that adequate copper and zinc intake reduces the risk of obesity in children, adolescents or adolescents and indirectly protects against chronic cardiovascular diseases. In addition to the effect of zinc on insulin and carbohydrate metabolism, it is reported that it reduces total cholesterol, LDL cholesterol and triglyceride levels with supplement use. (2)
Omega-9 Omega-6 and pollen
In a study, 12 fatty acids were determined in almond (Prunus dulcis) pollen and bee bread (fermented pollen), among which oleic and linoleic acids are unsaturated fatty acids. (Oleic acid is Omega-9, and linoeic acid is omega-6, known as fatty acids that can be taken externally)
Antibacterial Superiority of Fresh Pollen
In a study, the antibacterial activity of bee bread (perga) and bee pollen samples was investigated. Pollen samples were used both in dried and fresh form and antibacterial activity tests were performed against bacteria including E. coli, Staphylococcus aureus, Bacillus cereus. As a result, it was reported that fresh bee pollen and bee bread showed higher antibacterial activity than dried pollen samples. (3)
Water dissolved perga pollen and antioxidant properties
In another scientific study, hot water, water and ethanol extracts of bee bread (perga / pollen fermented by bees) samples were extracted and the functional properties of these extracts were determined. Researchers reported that antioxidant activity was high in samples where water was used as a solvent and stated that this antioxidative effect of bee bread could be utilized. (3)
Eye Health and Pollen
Another thing that was determined by clinical studies is that in patients with arteriosclerosis with significant myopia and partial optic atrophy, pollen reduced the cholesterol level in the blood serum, increased the field of vision and stabilized visual acuity.(7)
Healthy body and pollen
Animal feeding experiments with bee pollen have also been conducted, and it has been proven that pollen-fed mice and rats showed higher vitamin C and magnesium content in the thymus, heart muscle and skeletal muscle, as well as higher hemoglobin content and more red blood cells, compared to animals fed standard feed. Pollen also extended the lifespan of experimental animals. (5) (6)
How much pollen should be eaten?
For children over 2 years old, half, one or one and a half teaspoons can be consumed per day, and for adults, 2-3 teaspoons can be consumed per day. It may vary from person to person.
How to eat pollen?
1. You can eat it straight. 2. You can mix it with milk and fruit juice, banana milk, smoothie, etc. and drink it. 3. You can mix it with oatmeal or yogurt and eat it. 4. You can mix it with honey and spread it on bread and consume it for breakfast. 5. You can add it to fruit mixtures and healthy snacks.
Since it is an energy-giving food, it is recommended to take it in the morning or during the day.
If you feed your child towards the evening, their sleep may be delayed.
It is a direct food to meet the daily protein, vitamin and mineral requirements of humans.
It is known that pollen added to the feed of pets and laboratory insects increases growth rate, facilitates digestion and gives a healthier appearance.
How is bee pollen collected?
The bee collects pollen from flowers by attaching it to special baskets on its hind legs and collecting it (see special hind legs consisting of pollen sac and brush) or by pushing it towards the group of hairs on its abdomen. The bees actually take it to the hive as food.
How is bee pollen obtained?
Beekeepers have set trap/filtered door entrances to the hive entrances, bees drop this pollen as they pass through here. This is how humans obtain pollen. # As the Baldükkanı Family, we care about planning the setting/scheduling of pollen traps and leaving plenty of pollen for the bees, we recommend it that way.
Why do bees collect pollen?
Bees pollinate plants by transferring pollen as they travel from flower to flower (see pollination and pollinator). Their real intention is to store protein, minerals and vitamins and to stock up on food by storing pollen in the honeycombs. Just like ants, bees also store food (pollen and honey) to eat during the winter.
How to store pollen?
Fresh Pollen
Pollen can be stored in a hard container or vacuum packaged deep freezer for a long time (3-5 years in our opinion) when it is fresh. Its nutritional value does not lose and its flavor is preserved. It is different from dried. When stored in a sterile jar at room temperature, it can remain intact for 2-6 months, then signs of souring slowly begin. It can remain on the normal shelf of the refrigerator for about 1 year.
Dry Pollen
The shelf life of dried and cleaned pollen varies inversely with temperature. At room temperature, its slight taste will begin to change between 3-12 months. It can be stored for a long time at -15°C. While it is accepted that pollen to be dried should be dried in the sun beforehand, it was determined that this drying method caused a decrease in the nutritional content of the pollen and the use of the method was abandoned. It is known that pollen, which has a moisture content of 6-8% in dried form, deterioration and loss of nutritional value occur if this rate is exceeded or decreased. For this reason, appropriate drying techniques should be preferred in order to prevent damage to both the protein content and other nutritional components of the pollen to be consumed. One of the alternative drying methods is to perform the pollen drying process in drying cabinets where temperature (36- DERLEME / REVIEW 249 U.Arı D. – U.Bee J. 2021, 21 (2): 247-256 45°C) control is provided. After the drying process, the pollen should be cleaned of foreign substances.
Tip: If you want to keep the pollen grains whole without crushing them, use a jar or hard container.
History of Pollen
It means “fine powder, flour” in Latin. It is thought to have been eaten with honey by North Africans, Mediterraneans, Persians, Chinese and American Indians in ancient times, and there are very few sources. The earliest known records show that pollen was used as a medicine by Arab and Jewish doctors in Andalusia/Spain. Maimonides (1135–1204), a Jewish doctor in the Sultanate of Egypt, recommended pollen as a sedative tonic. In the early 1200s, Ibn al-Beithar described pollen as an aphrodisiac and also beneficial for the stomach, intestines and heart.
✔️ QUOTATION CAN BE MADE BY SHOWING THE SOURCE AND GIVING A LINK. OUR CONTENT CANNOT BE USED WITHOUT PROVIDING THE SOURCE ❗Sources of some of the statistics we mentioned:
We also have pollen every year. You can click to examine.
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