Royal Jelly: Dangers and Benefits

Royal jelly is a whitish substance secreted by the hypopharyngeal glands of young worker bees. This gelatinous substance is used to feed the young larvae in the colony, the older larvae chosen to become queens, and the queen of the colony throughout her life.

Royal jelly was used in ancient Egypt for its revitalizing effects , it was considered an elixir of youth.

Today, royal jelly is recognized for its effects on health and natural well-being , but some people wonder about the dangers associated with its consumption.

The nutritional composition of royal jelly

Royal jelly is composed of many elements beneficial for health thanks to its nutritional composition, in fact it contains amino acids, vitamins, minerals and trace elements, fatty acids, carbohydrates and antioxidants.

Royal jelly is rich in amino acids such as lysine, proline, glycine, glutamine, arginine, methionine and tryptophan.

In addition, royal jelly contains many vitamins useful for the health of the nervous system such as vitamin B5 (pantothenic acid), vitamin B6 (pyridoxine), vitamin B9 (folic acid), vitamin B12 (cobalamin).

It is also composed of many minerals and trace elements , which are essential for the proper functioning of the body, such as calcium, magnesium, zinc, potassium and iron.

Furthermore, it is composed of fatty acids : omega-3 and omega-6 which are beneficial for cardiovascular health, brain function and the reduction of inflammation.

Royal jelly is also composed of about 14% carbohydrates , including glucose and fructose, which provide a quick source of energy.

And finally, royal jelly has antioxidants that help reduce inflammation such as flavonoids, phenolic acids and royalactin.

The health benefits of royal jelly

Royal jelly has many health benefits.

To begin with, it helps strengthen immunity thanks to certain amino acids present in its composition: arginine and methionine, which produce immune proteins. These proteins help the body defend itself against infections.

Next, royal jelly has antioxidant effects , which protect healthy cells from unstable molecules, thus protecting our cellular health.

Furthermore, royal jelly improves energy and vitality , fighting fatigue and stress. Thanks to its B vitamins and amino acids, it allows the body to have a hormonal balance to cope with daily stress.

Finally, royal jelly improves the health of skin and hair , thanks to the presence of antioxidants and B vitamins in its composition. It helps to moisturize the skin and regenerate old cells, which slows down their aging.

The dangers of royal jelly

Royal jelly has many health benefits, but it should be consumed with caution. In fact, improper consumption of royal jelly could be dangerous . As with any supplement, if a person is undergoing treatment, they can have its compatibility checked by a pharmacist or doctor.

Consuming royal jelly can cause allergic reactions in some people. Symptoms can include mild reactions such as hives, itching, and intestinal disturbances. These reactions appear immediately after ingesting the jelly or a few hours later. These reactions mainly affect people for whom consumption could be dangerous, particularly those allergic to bee products . It is therefore recommended for these people to consult a doctor or pharmacist before consuming it.   

Furthermore, some medications cannot be taken with royal jelly, as this increases the risk of side effects. Again, it is advisable to consult a healthcare professional. For adults, a daily dose of 500 mg to 1 g is recommended. Children's doses are often reduced by half compared to adult doses. While caution is advised regarding dosage, there is no real risk or danger in consuming royal jelly.

How to consume royal jelly?

It is recommended to take it on an empty stomach in the morning to optimize its effects. However, for more sensitive individuals, you can also take it with meals.

In addition, royal jelly is consumed in different forms:

• Fresh : this is the simplest, unprocessed form that has all the beneficial properties of royal jelly.

• Powdered : It can be easily mixed into food and drinks.

• In tablets : it is also found in the Hovie energy and immunity supplement , which provides a 100% natural solution to have the necessary energy from the start of the day. In addition to royal jelly, this supplement contains many other natural ingredients such as ginseng, acerola, kola and spirulina, which are beneficial for the immune system.

By following all these guidelines, you can incorporate royal jelly into your diet to obtain its beneficial health effects.