Apitherapy Foods

Article by Summer Banks (7,533 pts ) , published Feb 25, 2009

In several communities, bee products are used as foods to promote health. These apitherapy foods, which include propolis, pollen and honey, are of great benefit when they are eaten as food. Understanding how to consume propolis, pollen and honey is essential to reaping the positive benefits.

Benefits of Honey as Apitherapy Foods

They provide the user with quick energy and effectively replace other food groups. Honey products qualify to be classified as health foods or apitherapy foods when they are taken plainly or as supplements. Honey offers a better alternative as a sweetener to people with diabetes. Because people with diabetes should avoid high sugar levels, honey is a more recommended sweetening agent when compared to table sugar. On the other hand, athletes use orange juice to dilute honey to provide them with an energy boost. Athletes who take this drink after their event are able to recuperate within a shorter time.

Pollen as an Apitherapy Food

Another health food from honeybees is pollen. Pollen (reproductive spores of seed-bearing plants) is collected by bees from flowers. Benefits of bee pollen extracts include detection and immunization against allergies. Pollen is considered as part of the apitherapy foods since they provide relief for bodily weakness, premature aging, constipation and weight loss. Pollen that has a high vitamin C content is beneficial since it boosts the user’s immune system.

Propolis and Apitherapy Foods

Propolis is resinous material/sap that is collected after it oozes out from tree bark and bud. After bees have collected propolis they mix it with wax flakes and their saliva in the hive. This mixture is what they use to cover the interior of the hive. Though bees use propolis to reinforce their hive walls and protect the hives from infection, humans use these products to boost their immune system. Propolis is similar to aspirin in its functions without its side effects. It also helps to reduce swollen sore throats. Bee products are used as apitherapy foods to treat different ailments such as wounds, rheumatism and arthritis.

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