Pollen

Mallow pollen grain, as seen with an electron microscope

Pollen is produced in the stamens of the flower and consists of innumerable minute grains. It is the male element involved in the processes of pollination and fertilization.

Pollen is collected by the worker bee from flowers, and carried as clumps, often multicoloured, on its hind legs. The clumps contain pollen from
different flower species. For sale as a health food, it can be collected in traps at the entrance of the hive or as ‘bee bread’ within the hive. of substances such as vitamins (vitamin C may be present in quite a high amount), minerals, free amino acids, and flavonoids. Therefore, pollen is a balanced source of nutrients, but a large quantity would be required to play a significant part in the human diet, and this would be expensive.

C L A I M S   A N D   F O L K L O R E
A large number of claims have been made for the efficacy of pollen, including its value in dealing with anaemia,
weight loss, enteritis, and colitis. Pollen extracts are used to detect and provide immunity against certain human allergies. Consequently, consumers of pollen should be alert to allergic reactions.

E V I D E N C E
There seems to be no real scientific support for the claims
that have been made.