Royal jelly: The underrated superfood for heart and brain health
Honey is sweet and healthier than regular sugar. However, we often overlook another product that results from a bee swarm’s work. This product is worth considering due to its richness in numerous nutrients.
In our quest to feel good and healthy, we often turn to superfoods like chia seeds and flaxseed. These foods support our body's functions and improve skin condition. It's also a good idea to try royal jelly, a forgotten and underrated product that can make a significant impact. Its health-promoting properties have been confirmed by modern scientific research. Royal jelly can play an essential role in protecting the body against strokes.
What is royal jelly?
Royal jelly is a product made by hardworking bees, known for its exceptional nutritional and health properties for centuries. It is produced in the pharyngeal glands of young worker bees (living from 5 to 15 days). These bees consume pollen and nectar, which provides the "fuel" for producing jelly. A thick liquid is then secreted from their mouths to feed larvae. Initially, all larvae receive this nourishment, and after three days, the best is chosen to become the queen.
Royal jelly turns out to be an excellent superfood for humans as well. This creamy, slightly sour-tasting liquid is filled with various nutrients. By consuming it regularly, we can support our health. Additionally, the product has found a special place in cosmetics and medicine, appearing in regenerating and moisturizing creams.
Royal jelly not only protects against strokes
Did you know it contains over two hundred different bioactive compounds? That’s quite a number, and it contributes to the beneficial properties of this bee product. It contains valuable fats, proteins (mainly albumins and globulins), carbohydrates, vitamins (A, B, C, D, E), and mineral salts.
Royal jelly primarily dilates blood vessels, allowing tissues to receive an adequate amount of blood and oxygen. This is supported by a study conducted on individuals who suffered an ischemic stroke. For 12 weeks, they took royal jelly capsules, and the results were astonishing. There was a reduction in inflammatory markers. Scientists also suggest that this product inhibits genes related to lipid damage in brain cells. These findings indicate that royal jelly protects our brain and positively affects its function.
Royal jelly also supports other organs
The list of benefits of this product is impressively long:
- supports the immune system in fighting viruses and bacteria,
- assists heart function (has cardioprotective effects),
- may help reduce the risk of atherosclerosis and type 2 diabetes,
- slows down the skin's aging process.
It's important to note that royal jelly is not long-lasting, so it's best to store it in the refrigerator in a sealed container or jar.
