Proximal composition of bee pollen and its functional effect on stress

Abstract

Bee pollen is an agglomerate of microscopic grains rich in proteins and phenolic compounds. Other products rich in flavonoids and vitamins, as well as bee pollen, have been shown a positive effect on stress, which is a physical condition that can lead to several somatic disorders. In this work the compositional characteristics of bee pollen were measured, and its effect in volunteers’ adult men was evaluated by a cortisol salivary test, and by responding to Lip’s Stress Symptom Inventory. The volunteers were given bee pollen for a month. After that, the salivary cortisol was measured and applied the questionnaire. Bee pollen shown an adequate nutritional composition. Its administration had a 23% reduction in salivary cortisol. The values obtained in the questionnaire were consistent with the results of the cortisol dosage, which relieved the symptoms reported by the volunteers. A phytochemical screening was also performed on this material showing the presence of flavonoids, which may be an active compound responsible for the functional effect in the stress relieving of the participants.