10 amazing benefits of royal jelly

Royal jelly has been treasured for centuries as one of nature’s most remarkable substances. Alongside bee pollen and propolis, royal jelly is widely regarded as a powerhouse of nutrition and wellness.

What is royal jelly? 

Royal jelly is a unique, thick, milky substance that the worker bees manufacture and feed to the Queen bee. It's the sole source of nutrition for the Queen bee and aids her everyday vitality. The worker bees mix honey and bee pollen with enzymes in the glands of their throats to produce royal jelly.

Why is royal jelly so beneficial?

Royal jelly is believed to be a useful nutritional supplement because of the Queen bee’s superior size, strength, stamina, fertility rates and longevity compared with other bees.

Its composition is similar to that of pollen. It contains calories as it’s full of nutrients, all eight essential amino acids, vitamins, minerals and hormonal-like substances. It's high in pantothenic acid (vitamin B5), the anti-stress vitamin and has been shown in some studies to increase endurance whilst under stress. It contains approximately 12% protein, 5-6% lipids, and 12-15% carbohydrates.

Royal jelly, historically linked to fertility - although there is insufficient testing on how effective this is in human fertility - is a naturally rich source of amino acids, vitamins A, C, D, E and B complex vitamins. Fresh royal jelly contains beneficial probiotics for gut health and possesses numerous health benefits, including, preventing illness and combatting the stress on the body caused by vaccines.

Top 10 benefits of royal jelly

Here are 10 healing benefits of royal jelly:

1. Boosts immune function

It boosts the immune system, in general, and heals mucositis, in particular.  Just like honey, it also improves asthma rates.

2. Improves heart health

Studies have shown a cholesterol and lipoprotein-lowering effect of royal jelly, as well as triglyceride-lowering and HDL-increasing, conferring a benefit on cardiovascular health. 

3. Supports blood sugar management

It improves the blood’s glucose levels, as well as ulcerations related to diabetes.

4. Combats anaemia 

It improves anaemia rates by slightly increasing the number of red blood cells.

5. Enhances fertility and libido

It increases testosterone levels in men that regularly consume it, as well as improving sperm quality. Royal jelly has also been shown to have a positive impact on the FSH/LH ratio, however, this effect is reversible upon cessation of supplementation. Royal jelly increases libido, too.

6. Boosts brain health

Consumption of 3000mg of royal jelly daily has been linked to increased cognition in middle and older age and is protective against Alzheimer’s disease.

7. Improves skin and wound healing

It increases collagen and improves the skin’s appearance. For that reason, it is also used to heal wounds; it increases fibroblast migration, cells in connective tissue that produce collagen. Royal jelly has been suggested in suppressing skin pigmentation, and hence is proposed as a candidate to inhibit melanogenesis, thus it could be developed as cosmetics skincare products. Melanin synthesis reduction occurs via tyrosinase expression down-regulation.

8. Eases PMS symptoms

Due to its nutrient combination, royal jelly (combined with other bee products) has been shown to alleviate unpleasant premenstrual symptoms, such as irritability, weight fluctuations and water retention.

9. Supports menopausal health

It eases menopausal symptoms. Preliminary research has shown that royal jelly protects against osteoporosis by decreasing bone resorption (anti-osteoclastic).

10. Offers anticancer properties

Some studies suggest that royal jelly has antiproliferative effects on neuroblastoma cells, indicating potential anti-cancer benefits.

How to use royal jelly

The recommended dosage for royal jelly is between 50-300mg, taken one to two times daily. Fresh royal jelly should be stored in the refrigerator to preserve its bioactive compounds.

Royal jelly is used in clinical use for:

• vaccines (detoxification)
• to prevent illness and promote longevity
• allergies
• PMS
• fertility (male)
• asthma
• osteoporosis
• liver, kidney, pancreatic disease
• diabetes

Is royal jelly safe?

Like all bee products, allergic reactions are the most common side effects. If there is a known allergy to conifer and poplar trees, royal jelly should be avoided. Allergic reactions can range from mild (e.g. mild gastrointestinal upset) to severe (e.g. asthma, anaphylaxis, intestinal bleeding).

Royal jelly is a natural powerhouse packed with nutrients that offer a range of potential health benefits. From boosting immunity to improving skin and brain health, this bee-derived superfood deserves its place in the spotlight. However, as with any supplement, it's advisable to consult a healthcare provider before adding royal jelly to your routine.