Does Bee Pollen Expire? (Pros And Cons Of Bee Pollen)

During my beekeeping journey, I got many questions from my friends and neighbors. Among those questions, A lot of people asked me about bee pollen.

One of the commonly asked questions is “Does bee pollen expire?” Bee pollen never gets poisonous but it has an expiration of natural taste. It can be kept fresh for up to 3 years.

People also asked me about the benefits and side effects of taking bee pollen regularly. How to use it effectively? And how they can keep bee pollen fresh for longer periods?

All of these things will be covered now.

 

 

Does Bee Pollen Expire?

Yes, bee pollen expires after a certain period of time. Depending on the way it keeps its expiration date can be up to 3 years. If you keep it at room temperature it will expire within 6 months to 1 year. If you seal it properly and keep it in a frozen, dry, and dark place it will last for up to 3 years.

 

We all know honey doesn’t expire. But bee pollen does. It will lose its nutrients slowly with time after expiration. But it won’t become poisonous. Its taste will start becoming worse with time.

 

 

How Long Does Bee Pollen Last

We all know honey lasts almost forever. But bee pollen doesn’t last forever. The maximum expiration duration for bee pollen is 3 years if you can preserve it properly.

It won’t have an expiration date of more than a year if you keep it at room temperature.

Actually, bee pollen expires with time through the process of oxidation of lipids. So, the slower the oxidation occurs the longer the bee pollen can last.

 

 

 

How Do You Know If Bee Pollen Has Gone Bad?

First of all, bee pollen never becomes bad it just loses its nutrients with time. As a result, its taste will start becoming bad. But it won’t become poisonous to your body.

So, here we are going to consider that bee pollen has gone bad when its expiration duration is over.

In order to detect bee pollen has gone bad you have to look for a rancid smell from the bee pollen first.

As with time lipids oxidize which causes the reduction of the quality of bee pollens. When the bee pollen expires, it will release rancid. This is the main indication that your bee pollen has gone bad.

Also, you can say bee pollen is becoming bad if its taste is changing and becoming worse. When the pollen expires its taste decreases as it is losing its nutrients slowly.

 

 

 

Can You Take Expired Bee Pollen?

Yes, you can. Expired bee pollen doesn’t become poisonous to humans. It just loses some of its nutrients but it is still safe to take.

But I won’t suggest you take expired bee pollen as it starts losing its nutrients. If it’s possible to exchange it or purchase it again then go for it. Otherwise, you can take it for a few months after its expiration.

 

 

 

How To Keep Bee Pollen Fresh

As we know bee pollen loses its nutrients through the oxidation of lipids. So, the only way to keep it fresh for a longer duration is by preventing or slowing the oxidation process of lipids.

There are some great ways of preventing of oxidation of lipids by which we can keep bee pollen fresh for a long time.

• Put bee pollens in a dark container and pour it with nitrogen gas to remove oxygen. Then seal it properly so that no air can pass through it. Also, could you keep it in a cool and dark place? This might work excellently.
• If it is possible for you put bee pollen in a capped vessel and then keep it in a freezer.
• You can also keep bee pollen in honey which will help you to keep it for up to 2 years.
• Always try to put it in a glass container and avoid plastic containers. Because plastic containers will reduce the expiration duration from its normal expiration duration.

Always store the bee pollen in an airtight glass container and make sure to keep it in a dark, cool, and dry place.

 

 

 

Does Bee Pollen Need To Be Refrigerated

If you can refrigerate the bee pollen then its expiration will be extended to up to 3 years. In general, if you put bee pollens in an airtight glass container and keep it in the fridge it will be fresh for up to 2 years.

But if you can put bee pollens into honey in a similar type of container, its expiration will also be extended to up to 3 years.

To keep its nutrients as it is try to keep it in a freezer. Also, after each time you use it make sure you seal it properly and put it back in the freezer.

N.B. In the case of honey, you can’t keep it in a cold place. You must keep honey in a warm place. Otherwise, it will crystallize and lose its quality. For this purpose, you can build a honey warming cabinet on your own at home very easily.

 

 

 

How To Use Bee Pollen Effectively

The most effective way to use bee pollen as a nutrient is by adding it to other delicious foods. You can make the effective use of bee pollen in the following easy ways:

1. Use it to add texture by sprinkling it above yogurt and oatmeal.
2. Springle it above salad for nutritious benefits.
3. Mix it with smoothies or any of your favorite drinks for extra flavor and nutrients.
4. Use a bee pollen layer above dark chocolate.
5. You can also take it as a supplement in capsule form.

There are so many more ways to use bee pollen effectively. But if you have an allergy to bee pollen, it’s better to avoid taking bee pollen. You should consult with a nutrient expert before using bee pollen in your diet.

 

 

 

How Long Does Bee Pollen Stay In Your System?

Usually, bee pollen is absorbed by the body within a few hours. But it can take up to a few days to a few weeks even depending on various factors such as the amount you take, your metabolism, and your health conditions.

The maximum amount of time it can stay in any human system is approximately 6 weeks. There is no scientific proof of this fact. But it was approximated by the use of bee pollen by so many people.

 

 

 

How Much Bee Pollen Should You Take A Day?

As an adult, you should not consume more than 35 grams of bee pollen per day. A child can take up to 15 grams of bee pollen daily. It is preferred for adults to take 20 to 30 grams of bee pollen daily for better nutrient results. For children, the suggested range is 5 to 15 grams per day.

You can take the bee pollen in the morning after waking up to kick off your day. Also, you can take it just before going to bed at night.

Taking bee pollen regularly before sleep will have maximum nutrient benefits.

 

 

How To Use Bee Pollen In Tea

You can use bee pollen exactly in the same manner you make green tea. Just for using bee pollen in tea, you have to add bee pollen instead of the green tea bag. The steps are super simple.

1. Take a cup and clean it properly.
2. Put some bee pollen on it. You can also take turmeric for color purposes.
3. Add 120 ml of boiled water to it.
4. You can also add honey, sugar, zinger, etc for extra flavor.
5. Stir it properly and enjoy a nutritious and delicious cup of tea.

 

 

 

How To Use Bee Pollen For Skin

You can use bee pollen for better healthy and smooth skin. Bee pollen helps to cure allergies. Also, it will help you to have a hydrated and nourishing skin. So, you will feel soft and smooth. Followings are the possible uses of bee pollen for more glamorous skin.

• Mix bee pollen with aloe vera gel and apply it around your eyes. It will help you to reduce puffiness and remove dark circles.
• Using bee pollen with honey as a face mask will help you to have soft and smooth skin. Add bee pollen with honey and use it as a scrub for 10 to 15 minutes.
• You can also add bee pollen with any of your favorite moisturizers. By using this your skin texture and hydration will be improved.

Eating bee pollen regularly can also help you to get rid of skin allergies. But if you have an allergy to bee pollen it will be harmful for you instead of helping you against allergy.

 

 

 

Benefits Of Taking Bee Pollen

Bee pollen is highly nutritious and contains omega-3 fatty acids, vitamin A, B1, B2, B6, C, D, E, and K, protein, minerals, and antioxidants. As a result, it has a large number of benefits that effectively work to protect us against dangerous diseases like cancer, heart attack, and other heart diseases.

Following are the health benefits of taking bee pollen.

1. Taking bee pollen will help you to cure allergic infections.
2. Protection against cholesterol and stroke.
3. Prevent heart attack.
4. It can also prevent cancer.
5. Reduce stress.
6. Helps to lose weight.
7. Taking Bee pollen before 2 hours of sleep will help you against insomnia.
8. It improves metabolism.
9. Helps to beat constipation.
10. Improve blood circulation around the whole body.
11. It can also help you against liver diseases and keep your liver healthy.
12. Bee pollen helps to boost immunity against various diseases.
13. Provide antibiotic activity against many viruses and bacteria.
14. Easy to digest and safe for most people.

There are countless benefits of bee pollen. But bee pollen may not be beneficial for everyone. So, besides the benefits of taking bee pollen. You should also know the side effects of bee pollen.

 

 

 

Side Effects Of Taking Bee Pollen Extensively

Well, bee pollen has some side effects too for some people besides its countless benefits. Especially, if you have an allergy to bee pollen it can cause serious suffering for you instead of helping you.

For most people, bee pollens have proven beneficial. But for some people and for a long time use of bee pollen can have the following side effects too.

• Allergic infections.
• Itching.
• Hair loss.
• May have Trouble breathing.
• It can also increase blood sugar levels for diabetes patients.

If you find any problem after taking bee pollen for a few days immediately consult with a doctor. Also, before adding bee pollen to your regular diet you must consult with a nutritionist.

Make sure you haven’t taken an overdose of bee pollen. Also, you shouldn’t use it extensively for a longer period of time.

 

 

 

Frequently Asked Questions

 

 

 

 

Conclusion On Bee Pollen Expiration & Its Effective Use

While you are thinking about does bee pollen expire? You should keep in mind that the pureness of bee pollen does expire but it does not become poisonous.

By knowing the proper way of storing bee pollen, you will be able to keep it pure for a longer duration. Also, by knowing the benefits and side effects of bee pollen, you will be able to make its effective use. That’s what I tried throughout this post. 

Don’t forget to consult with an expert nutritionist before adding bee pollen to your regular diet plan. If you want to know the nutritious benefits of bee pollen for dogs don’t forget to read this.

 

Following are the helpful resources for you.

• M. Leja, A. Mareczek, G. Wyżgolik, J. Klepacz-Baniak, and K. Czekońska, “Antioxidative properties of bee pollen in selected plant species.” Read the paper here.
• K. Komosinska-Vassev and P. Olczyk, “Bee Pollen: Chemical Composition and Therapeutic Application.” Read the paper here.
• S. T. Carpes and R. Begnini, “Study of preparations of bee pollen extracts, antioxidant and antibacterial activity.” Read the paper here.