What Can You Tell me About Bee Pollen?

Q. A friend of mine just gave me a bag of bee pollen (my friends gives me very fun and interesting gifts!). It's from a local organic market. I've heard of it before, and even picked it up to look at it in stores, but never really gave it a second thought or tried it. Can you give me some information about this? Like, what it's good for, how to ingest it/how often and when? I have never been stung by a bee, so I have no idea if I have an allergy to them or the pollen. Is there a way to test this beforehand? Thanks! -Sue

A: Bee pollen is likely the first food supplement ever used! The pollen is collected from bees' legs when special pollen scrapers and collectors are attached to their hive. Though there are some amino acids, vitamins, and minerals in most pollens, the most recent research points to a high concentration of flavonoids (phytochemicals), particularly rutin and tricetin. Many use bee pollen to enhance immunity, reduce allergy, lose weight and relieve stress, but there is little scientific evidence for these claims. There is some scientific proof that bee pollen improves endurance and stamina during exercise and may be useful for athletes. Researchers have also found a substance in bee pollen that inhibits the development of numerous harmful bacteria.

The recommended dosage is one tablespoon daily. Bee pollen can be mixed into juice, yogurt, honey, applesauce, smoothies, or sprinkled onto salad or cereal. Pollen can spoil at room temperature, so store in the refrigerator or freezer. It will last for up to two years in the freezer.

Because bee pollen is concentrated flower pollen, there is some concern for people with pollen allergies. Ingesting bee pollen has a different effect that inhaling pollen, therefore allergic individuals may not have any trouble with bee pollen. If you suspect an allergy, introduce a very small amount of bee pollen and build up the dosage over a period of days.

Bee pollen is essentially concentrated pollens from flowers, so its nutrient content may vary dramatically. This variation in content also applies to potential toxins that could be present as a result of environmental pollution or pesticide use, so be sure to purchase organic bee pollen, or pollen gathered in a pesticide-free environment.