These little golden granules aren’t just cute and decorative sprinkled on some yogurt or chia pudding. They are potent little balls of enzymatic power with a slightly sweet, slightly peppery taste and an interesting texture. Bee pollen blends up easily into smoothies for an almost undetectable flavor, but generally it’s a mild, pleasant addition to any sweet dish, or even on top of salads.
But why would we need to include something as seemingly obscure as bee pollen in our diets? Because it is incredibly nutrient-dense, and a great defender against harmful pathogens, that’s why. In fact, medical journals say that bee pollen is antifungal, antimicrobial, antiviral, anti-inflammatory, hepatoprotective (i.e. good for your liver), anti-cancer, immunostimulating, and even locally analgesic, on top of being highly antioxidant. If that laundry list doesn’t have you convinced, here are some specifics.
Some nutritionists argue that bee pollen is a complete source of nutrition. It contains all the enzymes, vitamins, amino acids, hormones, and trace elements we need for optimal cell growth and development, making it a strong blood builder. It’s also an excellent ally against stress and anxiety because it stimulates blood flow to your nervous tissues. This boosts the amount of oxygen and nutrients to the brain, giving you a little extra mental mobility throughout the day, as well as soothing the nervous system.
Each little bundle of pure power has the ability to help stabilize our hormones, aka the rulers of literally every single function in the body, including our metabolism. Specific enzymes and amino acids present in bee pollen help to dissolve fat cells in the body, so it’s a great supplement for those looking to lose weight, or just maintain energy in an active lifestyle. Some studies even show that bee pollen can reverse the effects of liver damage, too!
Bee pollen can also be used on the skin to speed healing. It’s warming, showcasing its abilities to boost blood circulation on contact, and its antiviral, antifungal, and antimicrobial properties are just as effective topically, too. And similarly to honey, it’s moisturizing to boot. Studies show that pollen and other bee products have hygroscopic properties, absorbing metabolites, which detoxes the dermal tissue. This results in an increase in skin tension, improved elasticity, a more even and glowing tone, and the smoothing out of wrinkles.
For topical application, it’s best dissolved in a honey solution. However, you don’t have to slather it on to get the beauty benefits. Consuming bee pollen will reap plenty of skin-loving rewards due to its high antioxidant content.
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