As we bask in late summer, I’m still taking every opportunity that I can to sit outside for lunch. There’s just been one little problem: The bees always come sit on my food.
I’ve decided that instead of being scared, I will marvel at the bees, and appreciate what they provide to me. Bee pollen came up in several conversations with clients this week, and it’s a superfood that I eat often. Bee pollen looks like little pellets, and is available in health food stores and online. The collection I have at my home is from local bees, and I use it in smoothies or put a couple spoonfuls on yogurt. The pellets can also be taken alone, but I recommend first adding them to other foods as your body adjusts.
I’m amazed to know that it takes one bee working eight hours per day for one month to gather one teaspoon. That one teaspoon of bee pollen contains over 2.5 billion grains of flower pollen, which are full of trace minerals as well as every known amino acid. This is the type of nutrition that we rarely receive from other foods. Bee pollen also impresses me, because it helps restore the health of people with anemia, asthma, bronchitis, colitis, constipation, and sinusitis. The B vitamins in the pollen help to clear the skin of acne and wrinkles.
Adding bee pollen to your morning routine can help you start the day out with extra energy and endurance. The British Sports Council recorded increases in strength by as high as 50% in the subjects who take bee pollen regularly. Start with a ¼ teaspoon dose for a week or two, and then you can slowly work up to a tablespoon. It’s a great travel food to bring along in a little container and have in the morning.
Bee pollen can also help solve digestive or weight issues. Each pollen pellet can contain up to 11 powerful digestive enzymes, and 1/8 teaspoon of pellets can help digest 3 pounds of food! Experiments have shown that people who take bee pollen decrease their daily food intake by 15-20%.
Some people notice minor gastrointestinal symptoms when they begin taking bee pollen. That is usually a sign of it working with your body to restore your digestive system and balance your metabolism, but it would be wise to decrease your dosage. Of course, if problems persist, be sure to see a health professional.
© 2011 Ava Waits
