The word pollen was first used in English in 1760 as Pollen. Pollen is derived from a Latin word and means soft powder, and in the American dictionary it is called a powder-like substance that is produced in the anthers of flowering plants.
What is pollen?
Pollen are very small seeds that are placed at the end of the stamens of flowers and are among the factors of plant fertilization. Pollen is collected by bees and is the food of young bees, and it is considered one of the most complete foods in nature; Because it contains almost all nutrients needed by humans.
Pollen are very small seeds that are placed at the end of the stamens of flowers and are among the factors of plant fertilization. Pollen is collected by bees and is the food of young bees, and it is considered one of the most complete foods in nature; Because it contains almost all nutrients needed by humans.
How is pollen prepared?
The bee collects pollen and sticky agglutinate material to fill the pollen basket using its hind legs to make bee pollen. This process includes moistening the flowers by the oral secretions of the tongue and enables the formation of the pollen grain and its sticking to the special baskets.
Beekeepers use pollen traps at the entrance of hives to collect raw pollen, which makes it easier to collect bee pollen for possible commercial applications.
Pollen nutrients
Carbohydrates
Carbohydrates are the main group of ingredients and make up about 40-85% of dry pollen. The most abundant carbohydrate compared to other pollen carbohydrates is fructose, followed by glucose and sucrose.
Oligosaccharides and polysaccharides are also very important constituents in flower pollen that help regulate various biological functions. In addition, these constituents are characteristic indicators for identifying the plant origin of flower pollen. However, due to their highly hydrophobic nature, high molecular weight and very similar polarity among sugars, their identification by both GC and high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) methods is difficult.
Protein and amino acids
The second most abundant material of flower pollen is proteins, which together with 20 basic amino acids, make up about 14 to 30% of its dry weight. Amino acids such as proline, glutamic acid and aspartic acid are the main amino acids, however, the compositions and amounts of amino acids are different among different pollen samples obtained from different plant and geographical origins. High levels of proteins and amino acids make pollen an excellent animal feed and improve human nutrition.
Fats
Previous studies on the amount of total lipids in pollen collected by bees showed the amount of 1-10% in dry pollen, and GC and GC-MS methods were used for the analysis of fatty acids. A total of 20 fatty acids were found in pollen; In addition, the researchers proved the relationship between the distribution of fatty acids and their plant origin. However, due to complex lipid structures and different lipid isomers, it is difficult to identify other lipid groups including phospholipids and sphingolipids using the present method.
Vitamins
Pollen is rich in vitamins, especially B vitamins. Vitamin B3 with nicotinamide and niacin is the main component among the B vitamins, which represents a good nutritional supplement against Plager. In addition, vitamin A, as an excellent antioxidant, is present at approximately 1.5 mg per 100 g of dry pollen. Pollen also contains vitamin E and small amounts of vitamin C. The difference in the amount of vitamins between different types of pollen can indicate the difference in the plant origin of these pollens.
Minerals
Flower pollen contains rich micronutrients such as potassium (K), sodium (Na), calcium (Ca), magnesium (Mg), phosphorus (P), zinc (Zn), iron (Fe), copper (Cu), and manganese (Mn). ) and is a suitable supplement for human nutritional deficiencies. Pollen from different plant sources is classified according to the types and amounts of their different minerals. Therefore, the minerals contained in it may not only be used as supplements in the diet, but can also be characteristic markers to identify plant origins and check the quality of pollen.
Carotenoids
Carotenoids are a diverse group of phenols with yellow to red colors that are responsible for the color of many vegetable agricultural products and play an important role in human health. Beta-carotene is converted to vitamin A, which reduces the risk of cancer and cardiovascular diseases. The researchers found that the amount of beta-carotene in the Romanian pollen samples was very low compared to the Brazilian samples. According to this research, total carotene values vary widely due to differences in climate and plant origin of flower pollen.
Collecting pollen by bees
Bees collect pollen from plant seeds and a small amount of secretions from salivary glands or nectar and place them in special places called corbiculae, which are located on the hind legs of the bee. After collecting the pollen, the bees take it to the hive where the cells are filled with honey. After that, the surface of the collected pollen grains is covered with a thin layer of honey and wax, and finally, honey bread is produced. Honeycomb bread is subjected to aerobic process (without air and oxygen) and preserved by the lactic acid produced. The bee bread is used as the main source of protein for the bee hive.
According to the latest national information, a beehive brings one to seven kilograms of pollen per year, and the amount of pollen collected from one hive reaches 50 to 250 grams every day. Here is a special section that bees use to collect plant pollen from the farm area and collect it in the form of a basket-like bulge and return again.
Bees use the most energy to collect pollen and they lose part of the pollen basket when they enter, which makes them come back for more pollen.
Chemical composition of pollen
30% of it is digestible carbohydrates
26% of that sugar (mainly fructose and glucose)
23% of that protein (including 10% of essential amino acids)
5% of that fat (including essential fatty acids)
2% of those phenolic compounds (which include flavonoids)
1.6% are minerals that include (calcium-phosphorus-magnesium-sodium-potassium-iron-copper-zinc-manganese-silicon and selenium.)
0.6% are water-soluble vitamins and acids, which include (c, b6, b2, and b1).
0.1% are fat-soluble vitamins, which include (vitamins E, A, and D).
Properties of flower pollen for health
Reduces inflammation
The anti-inflammatory activity of pollen is equal to drugs such as naproxen, analgin, phenylbutazone and andromethazine. Researchers believe that flower pollen can be used in acute and chronic inflammatory conditions, primary spoilage conditions and liver diseases or poisoning. A 2010 study published in Medicinal Biology shows that flower pollen exhibits effective anti-inflammatory activity when faced with liver damage caused by ingesting acetaminophen.
It acts as an antioxidant
Recent studies have shown that enzymatic hydrolysis of flower pollen is beneficial for patients with various diseases such as cancer, cardiovascular diseases, diabetes and high blood pressure. Its antioxidant properties were investigated in a 2005 study and researchers found that it has significant antioxidants. The researchers even stated that similar pollen-inhibiting activities are found in fortified foods such as tatoo, a Japanese soy-salt mixture, cheese, and vinegar.
Protection against hepatotoxicity
In a 2013 paper found in Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine, this persimmon pollen protects the liver from oxidative stress and improves liver damage caused by toxicity. Rats with liver damage were divided into 2 groups. One group took two different concentrations of pollen orally, 200-400 mg per kg per day, and another group took a drug containing flavonoids. The researchers found that both drugs cured the liver damage, but silibinin caused significant weight loss and death in mice when given to them due to severe diarrhea. These findings show that flower pollen is a safe alternative to the drug silibinin in the treatment of liver damage and can be responsible for a part of liver cleansing.
Strengthen the immune system
Another health benefit of pollen is its antimicrobial and antiviral properties. A 2014 paper on food and chemical toxicology and evaluation of biological activities of 8 flower pollens purchased from the market showed that all samples had antimicrobial activity and it was found that flower pollen may be a natural allergy fighter and protector.
A 2008 study in Japan investigated the effect of pollen on the activation of hand cells, which play an important role in various allergic diseases. Researchers conducted VIVO and VITRO tests and found that pollen plays an important role in the first and second stages of allergic reactions due to its ability to inhibit the activation of hand cells.
Animal studies show that pollen can be used as a valuable food supplement.
Studies have shown that mice and rats fed pollen with vitamin C and magnesium in their muscles have heart palpitations and skeletal muscle problems. After consuming pollen, their hemoglobin and red blood cell count increased. Flower pollen has increased the lifespan of experimental animals (mice).
Relieve menopausal symptoms
Studies conducted in 2015 in Germany showed that both pollen and honey improved sexual problems and treated menopause in patients with it, and anti-hormonal treatment in patients with breast cancer. Most of the patients who participated in this study reported improvement in their symptoms.
Researchers believe that pollen, if given to women with menopausal symptoms, can make them resistant to menopause. It should also be remembered that the flavonoids in honey prevent breast cancer. Using this product in women with menopausal symptoms and with cancer problems or without a history of breast cancer will prevent these problems.
Honey reduces stress
Honey helps to reduce stress and since the nutritional properties of beeswax cause blood supply to nerve tissue, strengthen mental capacity and strengthen the nervous system, this factor reduces stress. This property of honey makes it one of the best and most effective natural cosmetics. Honey is useful for people who lack energy, especially the elderly. Even a small amount of pollen in the long run makes us have a better mood and it also improves physical endurance. As a result, it enhances the will to live. It can also be used as a pain relief pad. In this way, pain can be reduced, which reduces stress.
Flower pollen cures
Flower pollen is used as a topical ointment to speed up the healing process. Especially, this method is used as a home treatment for burns. Pollen contains elephant's cap, which inhibits the activity of enzymes after burns and reduces the inflammatory reaction and swelling.
Pollens improve blood circulation in the vessels and dry the skin. The anti-inflammatory and analgesic effect of flavonoids in flower pollen reduces pain and also prevents the accumulation of platelets. Also, due to its antimicrobial activity, it prevents infection and helps the wound heal faster.
Pollen is a good source of vitamins and minerals. It can also make the skin younger and brighter. Flower pollen brings blood to all skin cells, helps the body in detoxification and reduces the appearance of wrinkles.
Lose weight with pollen
Does flower pollen cause weight loss? Studies have shown that pollen helps in improving energy and muscle protein metabolism in rats that are under severe food restriction, and this proves that pollen prevents or improves malnutrition. But what about weight loss? Does beeswax boost metabolism? Flower pollen helps to regulate hormones and has metabolic activity that contains amino acids and causes fat cells to dissolve in the body and increases metabolism.
We also know that flower pollen contains large amounts of essential vitamins and minerals that help nourish the body of people with different eating habits. Only a small amount of these foods will be absorbed quickly. Many producers of pollen pills and supplements claim that this substance can reduce weight quickly. There is scientific evidence that this is true, in fact the FDA, the manufacturer of weight loss drugs in the United States using pollen, warns that the use of sibutramine and phenolphthalein in weight loss drugs may increase the risk of heart attack or stroke. to give
The FDA reports that it has received more than 50 reports of the use of pollen weight loss products from consumers and health care providers. Without scientific evidence, pollen is known as a weight loss product. But we do know that it can reduce inflammation, increase energy, and provide a wide range of important vitamins and minerals. It also improves the health of the skin and speeds up the healing process, which is why pollen is a useful alternative.
How to use pollen
Flower pollen can also be used as medicine. It can be added to yogurt, cooked with cereals, which is very useful. It can be poured on the salad in large quantities, because the pollen can cause poisoning. You can make an anti-toxic drink with it. Be careful, if the pollen grains are added to hot water, they lose their nutritional value after 2-3 hours.
Flower pollen can be consumed with milk (cold), fruit and vegetables. You can eat the composition in liquid form or add it to the food composition and take full advantage of the benefits of bee pollen. The potential side effects of pollen are beneficial for most people.
Complications of pollen consumption
The biggest concern is related to allergic reactions to pollen. If you experience itching, swelling, shortness of breath, or dizziness after taking pollen supplements, be sure to talk to your healthcare professional before use.
Consumption of pollen may irritate the uterus and this threatens pregnancy. For this reason, pregnant women should use pollen using the health service guide. Pollen is rich in vitamins, minerals, proteins, fats and fatty acids, enzymes and bioflavonoids. This pollen has anti-bacterial, anti-fungal and anti-viral properties and strengthens capillaries, reduces inflammation and stimulates the body's immune system and reduces cholesterol levels.
Studies have shown that it is effective in preventing malnutrition and improper nutrition. You can buy pollen from Ahuta store and consume it with cake, yogurt, cheese, cereals, boiled products and salad, or you can mix it naturally with warm water and use it for vitamins and nutrients. Take minerals.
Conclusions about the healing properties of flower pollen
It is useful to include the right amount of pollen as a valuable food item in the diet of any person who is not sensitive to pollen, especially patients, weak and short-built people, athletes and people with low sexual power. The positive effect of flower pollen in improving health and general strengthening of the body is due to the fact that in terms of essential nutrients for the body, pollen is a nutritious and tonic substance that makes the diet more complete as a result of its consumption, and any deficiency and need for Food is compensated.
What do you think about the properties of pollen for health? Please share your experiences with us in the comments section.
