The Incredible Effects of Bee Pollen
By Stephanie Big Eagle
Founder of ~One Oyate~
As a previous beekeeper, the Honey Bee colony and the marvels it produces have earned my tremendous respect. The creations of the Honey Beehive are known for the healing powers contained in its honey and bee pollen. Used for everything from strengthening the immune system, to controlling unhealthy cravings, to fueling the bodies of super-athletes, bee pollen and honey are some of the most beneficial super foods to incorporate into your daily diet for wholesome living.
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| Photo by Wankiya Waci during honey extraction |
Bee Pollen is the male seed of a flower blossom collected by worker bees. As they pollinate flowers, the Honey Bees mix their digestive enzymes and a dab of honey with the pollen and store it as granules on their hind legs. As they enter their hives, the pollen is sloughed off and collected by beekeepers. These tiny gems contain almost all the nutrients required by the human body! Enormously rich in proteins, vitamins, minerals, beneficial fatty acids, carotenoids, and bioflavonoids which are anti-viral and antibacterial, it’s no wonder that many athletes and the health-conscious include bee pollen in their daily diet for superb results.
"Bee pollen - the greatest body builder on Earth."
~ German naturalist Francis Huber
~ German naturalist Francis Huber
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| Bee Pollen Granule stored on the leg of Honey Bee |
Bee Pollen is approximately 40% protein, half of which is in the form of free amino acids which are easily digested and converted into muscle by the human body. It contains the highest source of protein available, higher than any animal source! Scientific studies have proven bee pollen to be a complete, healthy, and perfect food. Capable of correcting nutrition deficiencies, unhealthy cravings, and even mood disorders, bee pollen has been used as an exclusive elixir by many ancient cultures. What a gift the honey bee has given to us in the form of this tiny pearl!
According to researchers at the Institute of Apiculture, Taranov, Russia, "Honeybee pollen is the richest source of vitamins found in Nature in a single food. Even if bee pollen had none of its other vital ingredients, its content of rutin alone would justify taking at least a teaspoon daily, if for no other reason than strengthening the capillaries.” Alex Woodly, then executive director of the prestigious Education Athletic Club in Philadelphia, said, "Bee pollen works, and it works perfectly. Pollen allows super-stars to increase their strength and stamina up to 25 percent. This increase in strength and endurance may be the key to the secret regenerative power of bee pollen. Bee pollen causes a definite decrease in pulse rate. The whole beauty of bee pollen is that it's as natural as you can get. No chemicals. No steroids."
Bee Pollen can be found at your local health food or organic foods store such as Fresh Market or Trader Joes. I recommend buying it in its natural granulated form from a local source instead of over the internet, or even from your local beekeeper. This will ensure that the bee pollen is collected by local pollen sources, as it is known to help control allergies; you want to make sure that you are protected from allergies to the pollen in the area in which you live. Begin with adding 1 to 2 tablespoons into your diet, to test how your body will react to it as some will have an allergic reaction. Once you have introduced it well to your diet, you can increase the dosage to your personal taste. It’s perfect to add to smoothies, to your coffee, yogurt, or even to eat straight from a spoon! Experiment with it and enjoy the effects of this miraculous super food!
Some “Super” food for thought…
Stephanie Big Eagle
Asst. Manager at Savage Workouts
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