Diet and nutritionBee Pollen — Superfood or a Risk for People with Allergies?
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Henryk Różański warns that pollen may cause allergic reactions in sensitive people.
- A reaction may cause digestive problems, skin symptoms, and feeling unwell.
- An allergy to inhaled pollen does not automatically mean a reaction to pollen that is eaten; many people with hay fever can eat it without problems.
- Pollen provides, among other things, protein, sugars, fats, mineral salts, and vitamins. Bee pollen differs from flower pollen in its composition and how it is collected.
What the authors write
Henryk Różański
Pollen may cause allergic reactions in sensitive people.
„People who are allergic to bee or flower (pollen) antigens may develop digestive problems, intestinal inflammation, diarrhoea, feel unwell, and experience skin redness, hives, or swelling. An allergy to airborne flower pollen is not the same as an allergic reaction to pollen eaten as food.”Pyłek może wywołać uczulenie u osób nadwrażliwych. U ludzi uczulonych na antygeny pszczele lub kwiatowe (pyłek) pojawiają się zaburzenia trawienne, nieżyt jelit, biegunka, złe samopoczucie, rumień i pokrzywka na skórze, miejsce opuchnięcia. Alergia na lotne pyłki kwiatowe drogą wziewną nie jest tożsama z reakcją uczuleniową drogą pokarmową.
Henryk Różański
An allergic reaction may cause digestive and skin symptoms, as well as feeling unwell.
„People who are allergic to bee or flower (pollen) antigens may develop digestive problems, intestinal inflammation, diarrhoea, feel unwell, and experience skin redness, hives, or swelling. An allergy to airborne flower pollen is not the same as an allergic reaction to pollen eaten as food.”U ludzi uczulonych na antygeny pszczele lub kwiatowe (pyłek) pojawiają się zaburzenia trawienne, nieżyt jelit, biegunka, złe samopoczucie, rumień i pokrzywka na skórze, miejsce opuchnięcia. Alergia na lotne pyłki kwiatowe drogą wziewną nie jest tożsama z reakcją uczuleniową drogą pokarmową.
Henryk Różański
An allergy to inhaled pollen is not the same as a reaction to pollen that is eaten.
„An allergy to airborne flower pollen is not the same as an allergic reaction to pollen eaten as food. Many people with hay fever can consume honey, bee bread, and pollen without problems. The evidence concerning prostate enlargement is inconclusive.”Alergia na lotne pyłki kwiatowe drogą wziewną nie jest tożsama z reakcją uczuleniową drogą pokarmową. Wiele osób cierpiących na pyłkowicę może bez problemu spożywać miód, pierzgę i pyłek. Jeżeli chodzi o przerost gruczołu krokowego to sprawa nie jest jednoznaczna.
Henryk Różański
Many people with hay fever can consume pollen without problems.
„Many people with hay fever can consume honey, bee bread, and pollen without problems. The evidence concerning prostate enlargement is inconclusive. Through its anti-inflammatory effect and ability to inhibit the effects of androgens, flower pollen reduces prostate swelling and improves urination (the process of passing urine).”Wiele osób cierpiących na pyłkowicę może bez problemu spożywać miód, pierzgę i pyłek. Jeżeli chodzi o przerost gruczołu krokowego to sprawa nie jest jednoznaczna. Pyłek kwiatowy przez swój wpływ przeciwzapalny i hamujący wpływ androgenów – zmniejsza obrzęk prostaty i poprawia mikcję (proces oddawania moczu).
Henryk Różański
Pollen contains protein, sugars, fats, mineral salts, vitamins, and provitamin A.
„Pollen grains contain protein (up to 40%), sugars (up to 55%), fats (up to 13%), and mineral salts (up to 6%). Potassium (more than 0.4%), phosphorus (up to 0.6%), magnesium (up to 0.3%), and calcium (0.02–0.3%) are the main minerals in pollen. Pollen can be a good source of bioavailable manganese, copper, zinc, and iron.”Ziarna pyłku zawierają białko (do 40%), cukry (do 55%), tłuszcze (do 13%), sole mineralne (do 6%). Wśród mineralnych składników pyłku dominuje potas (powyżej 0,4%), fosfor (do 0,6%), magnez (do 0,3%) i wapń (0,02-0,3%). Pyłek może stanowić dobre źródło biodostępnego manganu, miedzi, cynku i żelaza.
Henryk Różański
Pollen is described as a nutritious product that provides, among other things, vitamins, protein, sugars, and fats.
„Bee pollen and flower pollen that has not been processed by bees are primarily nutritious products. They provide vitamins, easily digestible protein, sugars, and fats rich in essential unsaturated fatty acids, as well as macro-, micro-, and trace elements that are highly bioavailable.”Pyłek pszczeli i pyłek kwiatowy nie przetwarzany przez pszczoły to przede wszystkim produkty odżywcze. Dostarczają bowiem, witaminy, łatwo strawne białko, cukry i tłuszcze bogate w niezbędne nienasycone kwasy tłuszczowe, ponadto w makro-, mikro- i ultraelementy o wysokiej przyswajalności.
Henryk Różański
Flower pollen can vary in its properties because it comes from different plants.
„Pollen can come from different plants, so its chemical and phytopharmacological properties vary. It is most often sold in granulated form, in jars or plastic bags. Honey containing pollen is also available.
In other countries, commercial pollen most often comes from cattails (Typha), pine (Pinus), buckwheat (Fagopyrum), oilseed rape (Brassica napus), and field mustard (Brassica campestris).”Pyłek może pochodzić z różnych roślin, dlatego też różni się właściwościami chemicznymi i fitofarmakologicznymi. Najczęściej jest sprzedawany w formie granulowanej, w słojach lub torebkach foliowych. Ponadto są dostępne miody zawierające pyłek.
Za granicą handlowy pyłek pochodzi najczęściej z pałek – Typha, sosny – Pinus, gryki – Fagopyrum, rzepaku Brassica napus i kapusty polnej – Brassica campestris.
Henryk Różański
Bee pollen and flower pollen are said to support the body's detoxification and removal of harmful substances.
„Bee pollen and flower pollen increase detoxification processes. They increase the removal of harmful metabolic products and xenobiotics (medicines, pesticides, toxins) from the body. They also increase urine production and the production and release of bile.”Pyłek pszczeli i kwiatowy wzmagają procesy detoksykacji, czyli odtruwania. Zwiększają usuwanie szkodliwych produktów przemiany materii i ksenobiotyków (leków, pestycydów, toksyn) z organizmu. Wzmagają diurezę i procesy żółciotwórcze oraz żółciopędne.
Henryk Różański
Pollen is said to have, among other effects, anti-inflammatory and immune-stimulating properties.
„Ursolic acid
Effects: lowers blood lipid and cholesterol levels; anti-atherosclerotic; inhibits prostate enlargement; protects liver tissue; anti-ulcer; immune-stimulating; anti-inflammatory; relieves menopausal symptoms; anti-androgenic; oestrogenic.”kwas ursolowy
Działanie: obniżające poziom lipidów i cholesterolu we krwi, przeciwmiażdżycowe, hamujące przerost gruczołu krokowego, ochraniające miąższ wątroby, przeciwwrzodowe, immunostymulujące, przeciwzapalne, łagodzące objawy przekwitania, antyandrogenne, estrogenne.
Henryk Różański
Bee pollen is flower pollen processed by bees, and the two products differ in composition and how they are collected.
„Bee pollen is not the same as flower pollen. The two products differ in chemical composition and how they are collected.
Flower pollen is collected from flowering plants (by shaking it off), for example from oilseed rape, cereals, pine, hazel, and birch, and is then industrially granulated using binding agents, for example”Pyłek pszczeli nie jest równoznaczny z pyłkiem kwiatowym. Oba produkty różnią się od siebie składem chemicznym oraz sposobem pozyskiwania.
Pyłek kwiatowy jest zbierany z roślin kwitnących (otrzepywany), np. z rzepaku, zbóż, sosny, leszczyny, brzozy, a następnie przemysłowo granulowany przy użyciu lepiszczy, np.
Research from PubMed · Europe PMC
We selected 3 studies with the best, positive results. This is a selection, not a full review of all research.
Total number of studies on this topic in PubMed: 36.
A review indicates that bee products can cause allergies, including severe reactions, and that people with atopy are at greater risk.
Aim of the study: Honeybee products (HBPs), including honey, bee pollen, bee bread, royal jelly, propolis, beeswax, and bee brood, are increasingly used in food, nutraceutical, and cosmetic contexts. Because of their natural origin, HBPs can provoke allergic reactions ranging from localised dermatitis to life-threatening, systemic anaphylaxis.
Results: Severe reactions following intake of bee bread have not been reported to date. Management of HBP allergic reactions centres on avoiding the products, educating about the risks, and providing more precise product labelling, specifying the allergen content. Individuals with atopy and beekeepers are at heightened risk of developing anaphylaxis; therefore, they should be particularly aware of the potential dangerous consequences of HPB use. Further research is needed to clarify the mechanisms of HBP allergies and improve safety for all users.
Money for the studynot stated
Do the authors have ties to companies?no — the authors say so
Did a manufacturer help with the study?NO
Type of studydiscussion of other studies
“Not stated” does not mean nobody paid — the database does not always record it.
A case report indicates that bee pollen may cause an allergic reaction in someone allergic to plant pollen.
Aim of the study: Bee pollen has been proposed as a food supplement, but it can be a dangerous food for people with allergy. We study an allergic reaction after ingestion of bee pollen in a 4-year-old boy who had developed rhinitis in the last spring and autumn.
Results: Prick tests were positive to bee pollen and all local pollens extracts and negative to any other allergen sources. The bee pollen sample contained pollens from Quercus genus, and Asteraceae (Compositae) and Rosaceae families. Total IgE was 435 kU/l. Serum specific IgE to bee pollen was 6 kU/l and greater than 0.35 kU/L against pollens from Artemisia vulgaris, Taraxacum officinalis, Cupressus arizonica, Olea europaea, Platanus acerifolia and Lolium perenne as well as to n Art v 1 and other pollen marker allergens. Tryptase level was 3.5 mcg/mL. SDS-PAGE immunoblotting-inhibition points to Asteraceae pollen as the possible cause of the allergic reaction. Foods derived from bees can be dangerous to people with allergy to pollen.
Money for the studynot stated
Do the authors have ties to companies?not stated
Did a manufacturer help with the study?unknown
Type of studyother
Participants1
“Not stated” does not mean nobody paid — the database does not always record it.
A case report shows that consuming bee pollen may lead to anaphylaxis and allergic asthma.
Aim of the study: Bee pollen has become an increasingly popular dietary supplement due to potential therapeutic effects. However, ingestion has been shown to trigger allergic responses as severe as anaphylaxis.
Results: She also had elevated specific IgE to common ragweed, mugwort, and cocklebur, which are prominent allergens in the fall. Given the timing of onset of new symptoms, partial relief with an inhaled short-acting B2 agonist, and no pertinent findings for other causes, the patient was subsequently diagnosed with allergic asthma secondary to bee pollen ingestion. Although anaphylaxis to bee pollen is rare, it is becoming increasingly reported in literature and demonstrates an adverse effect that can occur when proper regulation and education are not performed. Dietary supplements like bee pollen need to have further testing and contain more thorough warnings on labels to decrease adverse events and protect people from undue harm.
Money for the studynot stated
Do the authors have ties to companies?no — the authors say so
Did a manufacturer help with the study?NO
Type of studyother
Participants1
“Not stated” does not mean nobody paid — the database does not always record it.
Perspectives and opinion materials
The content below presents the authors’ opinions, interpretations and hypotheses. It is not treated as equal to scientific studies and systematic reviews.
Orthomolecular Medicine News Service Opinion material
„It also may be triggered by other allergens such as animal dander, dust mite excretions, and pollens. With so many causes of nasal allergy and asthma, it can be difficult to determine which food allergen is responsible. In 1957, I devised a procedure (described below) to help with this process. We expect food allergies to be manifest in the gastro intestinal track, and it helps to know the symptoms. But in looking for the culprit, if it also causes symptoms in the respiratory system, these are more distinctive and may appear more quickly after ingesting the food. Who done it? To pin down a food allergen, we need to remember what was eaten.”It also may be triggered by other allergens such as animal dander, dust mite excretions, and pollens. With so many causes of nasal allergy and asthma, it can be difficult to determine which food allergen is responsible. In 1957, I devised a procedure (described below) to help with this process. We expect food allergies to be manifest in the gastro intestinal track, and it helps to know the symptoms. But in looking for the culprit, if it also causes symptoms in the respiratory system, these are more distinctive and may appear more quickly after ingesting the food. Who done it? To pin down a food allergen, we need to remember what was eaten.
Orthomolecular Medicine News Service Opinion material
„Infection, irritants in the air, or nasal allergy from airborne agents such as pollens, or food allergens, can cause excessive amounts of mucus. The resulting "tickly" cough is an attempt to get this irritating stuff out of the airway. If there is inflammation from a virus infection, the drip and the resultant cough can be almost unrelenting. Treatment consists of getting the airway as open as possible and keeping the secretions from reaching the cough trigger point in the throat. In infants and small children this is done with a nose syringe that draws the (what doctors and everyone else call) "gunk", out of the nose and nasopharynx.”Infection, irritants in the air, or nasal allergy from airborne agents such as pollens, or food allergens, can cause excessive amounts of mucus. The resulting "tickly" cough is an attempt to get this irritating stuff out of the airway. If there is inflammation from a virus infection, the drip and the resultant cough can be almost unrelenting. Treatment consists of getting the airway as open as possible and keeping the secretions from reaching the cough trigger point in the throat. In infants and small children this is done with a nose syringe that draws the (what doctors and everyone else call) "gunk", out of the nose and nasopharynx.
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