Bee products are rich in protein, monosaccharides, essential amino acids and monounsaturated fatty acids. These functions boost immunity, help the body actively fight bacteria, and stimulate the regeneration of high-quality tissue, thereby protecting and treating overall physical health. When "bee products" are mentioned, people always think of honey. In fact, bee products don't stop there. There are many different bee products used in traditional and complementary treatments (also known as apitherapy).
Type And Effects
Honey, royal jelly, propolis, bee bread and bee pollen are common bee products rich in potent antioxidants such as flavonoids, phenols and amino acids. Due to their various pharmacological activities (e.g., anti-aging, anti-inflammatory, anti-cancer, anti-bacterial, etc.), these products have been used to treat various chronic diseases such as hypertension, diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and cancer.
The following table shows the biological and functional effects of bee products for reference.[1]
| Product | Biological effects | Functional effects |
|---|
| Honey, pollen, bee bread, royal jelly, propolis |
Antibacterial, fungicide, antiviral, antioxidative, immunomodulating and immunoactivating, anti-inflammatory, analgesic |
Growth inhibition of pathogen bacteria, fungi, and viruses, anticancer, stimulate immune difference against inflammation |
| Pollen, royal jelly, propolis |
Radioprotective, anti-arteriosclerotic, enhances Ca absorption |
Protect against radiation, artherosclerosis and osteoporosis |
| Honey |
Prebiotic (oligosaccharides), probiotic (contains probiotic bacteria) |
Stimulates healthy digestion by promoting the growth of good intestine bacteria (Bifidus, etc.) |
| Royal jelly |
Antihypertensive, vasodilative, increases reproduction and oxygen uptake of cells and has an effect on central and peripheral nervous system |
Cardioprotective, stimulating and energizing against stress and fatigue, protection of the central nerve system |
Related Research Information
The researchers compared the total phenolic (phenols and polyphenols) content (TPC) and antioxidant activity (AOA) values of honey, propolis and bee bread, and the results were ranked in the following order: bee bread > propolis > honey, and bee bread > honey > propolis. According to literature data, propolis has been shown to contain the highest levels of phenolics and flavonoids, and it should be the most powerful antioxidant in bee products, followed by pollen and royal jelly. However, the results do vary widely depending on the matrix, extraction solvent, and assay.[2]
A recent review examined the literature on the possible effects of royal jelly, bee pollen, and propolis on experimental models of aging, muscle cell cultures, and human skeletal muscle. The data show varying degrees of positive effects of bee products on muscle mass, strength, and function. Possible underlying mechanisms include improving inflammation and oxidative damage, promoting metabolic regulation, enhancing satellite stem cell reactivity, improving muscle blood supply, inhibiting catabolic genes, and promoting peripheral neuronal regeneration.[3]
References
- Banu Yucel. (2017). "Bee Products as Functional Food." Superfood and Functional Food.
- Marianna Martinello. (2021). "Antioxidant Activity in Bee Products: A Review." Antioxidants 10(1), 71.
- Amira Mohammed Ali. (2020). "Apitherapy for Age-Related Skeletal Muscle Dysfunction (Sarcopenia): A Review on the Effects of Royal Jelly, Propolis, and Bee Pollen." Foods 9(10), 1362.
※ These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug
Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any
disease.
