Pollen is produced by different grasses, flowering plants, and trees. It looks like powder and it comes from the male part of the pine cone of different pine tree species, such as Masson’s pine, Scots pine, and Chinese red pine. Pine pollen is an extremely potent superfood. It is a part of a huge variety of health supplements. You can find it in the form of capsules, tinctures, or powder.
Benefits
Pine pollen health benefits are known for thousands of years:
- slowing aging
- boosting testosterone
- reducing fatigue
- treating different kinds of health conditions
Pine pollen contains protein, carbohydrates, fatty acids, minerals, and vitamins.
Testosterone
Here is an interesting fact: 10 grams of Scots pine pollen contains 0.8 micrograms of testosterone. This is the reason Pine pollen is often used to boost testosterone levels, especially in athletes.
Antioxidant properties
Antioxidants are compounds that fight free radicals. A well-known fact is that antioxidants may help prevent conditions like cancer and aging. Pine pollen extract is rich in antioxidants. It also has an anti-inflammatory effect.
Anti-aging effect
The researchers found that pine pollen can slow the process of aging on a cell-level. There is research conducted on mice that shows that pine pollen can prevent memory errors in a test of neurological activity. Also, it was observed a rise in the activity of antioxidant molecules and decrease in those linked to inflammation.
Other health-related benefits
Although more human research is needed, the information we’ve got so far seems to be pretty promising. In a study based on mice, the research found that Pine pollen can affect chronic arthritis. It can lower the symptoms and reduce inflammation.
There are some promising results in the field of the war with cancer, too. So we can stay positive about the role of Pine pollen in it.
Are there any side effects?
There are certain things you need to be aware of, such as:
- If you are using Pine pollen to boost your testosterone levels, be careful. Higher levels of testosterone can cause acne, liver disease, enlarged prostate, trouble sleeping, aggressive behavior, high blood pressure.
- Pine pollen can cause allergy symptoms, such as sneezing, itchy eyes, runny nose, and wheezing.
- Exposure to allergens can cause an anaphylactic shock in some people. Symptoms include fainting, itchy hives, difficulty breathing, swelling of the throat, dizziness, and low blood pressure.
Pollen is not just an allergen. In fact, it has been used for centuries in traditional medicine. It can help treat various health conditions and boost testosterone. Also, it has anti-aging properties. The need for more human studies is undeniable, but the results so far point that it has anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties.
People prone to pollen allergy should avoid using it.