Tag: Pollen composition

With over 200 biologically active substances identified, pollen is a highly complex plant product. The specific ingredients in pollen vary dramatically based on its botanical source, encompassing a wide array of proteins, carbohydrates, lipids, and micronutrients essential for both plant reproduction and animal nutrition.

Bee pollen is a potent, functional food considered a "life-giving dust" by ancient civilizations, containing over 250 bioactive substances. It is not a single compound but a mix of flower pollen, nectar, and secretions that foraging bees gather and process, making its precise makeup variable yet consistently rich in nutrients.

Containing over 250 active substances, bee pollen is a rich and diverse nutritional source packed with vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants. This remarkable product from the beehive is a complex fusion of flower pollen, nectar, and bee salivary secretions, and its specific chemical composition depends heavily on its botanical origin.

According to a review of over 100 studies, bee pollen contains an average of 54.22% carbohydrates by dry weight, though this figure varies widely from 18.50–84.25% depending on its botanical and geographical origin. This carbohydrate composition, particularly the sugar content, is a critical component of pollen’s nutritional value for bees and other organisms.

Carbohydrates, including various sugars, constitute a major portion of pollen's dry weight, sometimes exceeding 50% depending on the floral source. This fact provides an interesting insight into the common question: is pollen high in sugar?