Bee pollen is a mixture of flower pollen, nectar, enzymes, honey, wax, and bee secretions. Foraging honey bees collect pollen from plants and transport it to the beehive, where it's stored and used as food for the colony. In recent times, bee pollen has gained renewed traction as more and more are discovering its health benefits.

Here Are Surprising Health Benefits Of Bee Pollen

1. Packed With 250 Biologically Active Substances

Bee pollen boasts an impressive nutritional profile. It contains over 250 biologically active substances, that includes proteins, carbohydrates, lipids, fatty acids, vitamins and minerals. Besides, it is also packed with enzymes, antibiotics and antioxidants. Interestingly, this nutritional profile of bee pollen is variable and depends on the plant source and season collected.

2. Antioxidant Properties

It is loaded with antioxidants like flavonoids and carotenoids, which help combat free radicals, reducing the risk of chronic diseases such as diabetes and cancer. A study published in the journal Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine found that bee pollen antioxidants can reduce chronic inflammation, eliminate harmful bacteria, fight infections, and combat the growth and spread of tumours.

3. Heart Health

There is empirical evidence that states that bee pollen reduces high blood lipids and cholestrols. Two studies conducted on animals in 2017 and 2018 showed that bee pollen extracts can lower blood cholesterol levels, especially LDL (bad) cholesterol.

4. Liver Protection

Bee pollen also protects the liver from all kinds of toxins and promotes recovery from liver damage. Empirical evidence suggests that bee pollen can act as an effective treatment against conditions like hepatitis and nonalcoholic fatty liver disease.

5. Anti-inflammatory Effects

Research shows that bee pollen contains compounds like quercetin, which reduce inflammation and may be an alternative to Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). Bee pollen packs several compounds that can reduce inflammation and swelling, including the antioxidant quercetin.

6. Immune Boost

Bee pollen exhibits antimicrobial properties, potentially protecting against harmful bacteria and boosting immunity.

7. Wound Healing

With anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial properties, bee pollen may aid in wound healing and prevent infections. Bee pollen work by reducing excessive inflammation at the wound site, allowing the body to focus on tissue repair and collagen production.

8. Potential Anti-Cancer Effects

Test-tube studies suggest bee pollen may inhibit tumour growth and promote cancer cell death, though human studies are limited.

9. Menopausal Relief

Some studies indicate that bee pollen may alleviate menopausal symptoms like hot flashes, though more research is needed.

Besides bee pollen, another related product that holds immense nutritional value is honey. It is a naturally sweet, syrup-like substance that bees produce from the nectar of flowering plants. The bees collect the nectar and then consume, digest, and regurgitate it inside the beehive to produce honey. This honey is stored in wax structures called honeycombs, which are gathered by humans through the practice of beekeeping. Although the nutritional value of honey. A single tablespoon (21 grams) of honey typically consists of 64 calories and 17 grams of carbs with little to no fat, fibre, and protein.

ALSO READ: Is Honey Good Or Bad For You?

The rise of ultra-processed foods (UPFs) in daily diets is harming public health and driving chronic illnesses that range from obesity and diabetes to cancer across the world. It is also widening health gaps, according to a new Lancet series published on Wednesday, November 19, 2025.

The study by Lancet noted that the problem demands a coordinated global effort that challenges corporate influence and reshapes food systems so that people can access healthier and more sustainable meals.

Dr Arun Gupta, a pediatrician and one of the contributors to the three-part Lancet Series, said that India is experiencing the same pattern highlighted in the report. He explained that familiar home cooked plates are steadily being replaced by intensely appealing industrial UPF products, pushed through heavy marketing and constant advertising, as per The Independent.

With this new research drawing significant interest, here is a look at the ultra processed foods that should be kept off your plate.

What Are Ultra Processed Food (UPF)?

UPFs are items that have undergone multiple industrial steps and include artificial additives, salt and sugar. Common examples are breakfast cereals, ready meals, fizzy drinks and packaged snacks like crisps or sweets.

Steve Bennett, a qualified health coach who has advised the House of Lords’ committee on food, diet and obesity, told The Independent that UPFs are factory-produced products filled with additives that no one would normally use at home. These include emulsifiers, stabilisers and artificial flavours. He said the priority behind them is long shelf life and profit rather than nourishment.

Ultra-Processed Food You Should Avoid

As the new study by Lancet outlines the connection between ultra-processed food, organ damage and chronic disease, these are the items to watch out for.

Breakfast Cereals

Many breakfast cereals contain two to four teaspoons of sugar in a standard 40 g serving, with some of the least healthy versions reaching nearly four teaspoons even before milk or fruit are added. Yet Bennett said the bigger concern lies with cereals marketed as healthy, where much of the fibre is removed. He explained that even wholegrain varieties can turn into concentrated sugar because processing strips away protective fibre.

Ready To Eat Meals

Ready to eat meals, often sold frozen or chilled, are partly or fully cooked and only need reheating before serving. Bennett described these meals as chemical mixtures and advised shoppers to look for hidden sugars among the first few ingredients, especially anything ending in ose such as glucose or fructose or any form of syrup. He also pointed to emulsifiers like polysorbates and any ingredient that begins with E followed by numbers as signs to be cautious.

Low Fat Products

Bennett said people should be alert to misleading terms on packaging, including natural, low fat or 'source of fibre', and stay away from products with very long ingredient lists. Many UPFs are sold as healthy choices, which adds to the confusion.

One in twenty Britons even believe fresh fruits and vegetables qualify as UPFs, showing how unclear the category has become. He added that protein bars are often sweets with protein powder mixed in and low fat yoghurts usually contain a high amount of sugar after the fat is removed.

While most people recognise ready meals as ultra processed, fewer understand that low fat yoghurts fall into the same group. Less than half know that protein bars or supermarket salads can also be classified as UPFs, though nutritionists include them.

Supermarket Bread

Modern packaged bread is heavily processed and often stripped of the fibre that once made it nourishing. One of the main problems is the consistent removal of fibre during manufacturing. He said fibre works like a natural brake, slowing the body’s sugar absorption and protecting the gut. Without it, sugar enters the bloodstream very quickly.

Energy Drinks

These legal stimulants mix sugars such as glucose and sucrose with caffeine and other ingredients to raise alertness. Although energy drinks are promoted as a way to sharpen focus, frequent use can make the heart work harder and may lead to health problems, especially among children and teenagers.

To steer clear of the UPF trap, try preparing more homemade meals and read labels with care. If you notice an ingredient that does not sound familiar, try reducing your reliance on that product. When you do choose UPFs, pick those that still offer some nutritional value, such as wholegrain bread or baked beans. By cutting down the number of UPFs in your routine, even by replacing one or two of your usual items like bread or cereal, you may lower the health risks linked to them.

There are certain foods that complement each other nutritionally. For instance, pairing turmeric with black pepper helps the body absorb this powerful anti-inflammatory spice more effectively. Similarly, collagen found in animal products and seafood is absorbed better when eaten alongside vitamin C-rich foods like bell peppers or citrus fruits.

However, the opposite is also true: some food combinations can be outright harmful. One such pairing can be especially risky if you have high blood pressure.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, high blood pressure was a primary or contributing factor in over 664,000 deaths in the U.S. in 2023. What’s even more concerning is that about half of American adults have high blood pressure.

So, which common food pairing should be avoided if you have high blood pressure? Keep reading to find out, along with expert-backed tips on healthier alternatives when cravings strike.

Common Food Pairing That’s Bad for Your Heart

If high blood pressure is a concern, it may be time to rethink a regular breakfast of bacon and cheese. Cardiologists told PARADE that this combination can be harmful to heart health when consumed often. “Bacon and cheese are comfort foods for many, yet regular consumption can work against heart health, especially for those with high blood pressure,” explains Dr. Martin Scott Dawson, MD, FACC, a cardiologist with Cooper and Inspira Cardiac Care.

Experts emphasize that bacon, in particular, is a food to limit to protect cardiovascular health. It’s high in both sodium and saturated fat. “Too much sodium draws water into the bloodstream, increasing blood volume and forcing the heart to work harder. Over time, this can make blood pressure harder to manage and damage blood vessels. Saturated fat in bacon also raises LDL cholesterol, adding to heart risk,” Dr. Dawson adds.

Dr. Karishma Patwa, MD, a cardiologist at Manhattan Cardiology and contributor to LabFinder, echoes these concerns. Cheese, while containing beneficial nutrients like calcium, is also high in saturated fat and sodium. When paired with bacon, the negative effects are amplified. Dr. Dawson notes that cheese in moderation can fit into a balanced diet, but together with bacon, it creates a particularly high-sodium, high-fat meal.

Blood Pressure And Diet

According to Medline Plus, managing high blood pressure involves a diet rich in fruits, vegetables, and whole grains, while cutting back on high-sodium, processed, and sugary foods. Key strategies include lowering salt intake, adding potassium-rich foods like bananas and leafy greens, and opting for lean proteins instead of fatty meats. Staying hydrated and moderating alcohol and caffeine are also recommended.

Alternatives For Bacon and Cheese

For those who love bacon and cheese, it may be unwelcome news that eating this combo regularly can raise blood pressure. If a bacon, egg, and cheese sandwich is a favorite breakfast, are there healthier ways to enjoy it?

Dr. Patwa suggests using egg whites, low-fat cheese, and turkey bacon as a heart-friendly alternative. “These choices reduce saturated fat and sodium without sacrificing flavor,” she says.

Another savory option is a breakfast sandwich made with scrambled or poached eggs, avocado, spinach or arugula, tomato, and whole-grain bread, which Dr. Dawson recommends. “This provides healthy fats, protein, fiber, and potassium. It supports blood pressure, helps lower LDL cholesterol, and still offers a filling, satisfying meal,” he explains.

For a more plant-based approach, Dr. Dawson suggests scrambling tofu with turmeric and black pepper.

Dr. Dawson emphasizes that consistency matters most when managing high blood pressure. “Meals should be enjoyable, not restrictive. Long-term success comes from regular habits rather than perfection. Choosing foods that reduce sodium, increase fiber, and favor healthy fats strengthens heart health over time. Occasional bacon or cheese is fine if portioned thoughtfully. The key is building daily routines around heart-friendly choices while still enjoying the foods you love,” he says.

With this in mind, reserve bacon and cheese for special occasions and opt for plant-forward breakfasts most days. This not only supports heart health but also makes indulgent meals feel more special.

Health Secretary Robert F Kennedy Jr. at a conference on Monday claimed that aluminum in vaccines cause food allergies. This is not the first time one is hearing about this, as his campaign against the aluminum has been an old one. In fact, in September, President Donald Trump said he wanted aluminum removed from vaccines.

As a result, a month later, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), appointed an advisory committee that said in a document that the CDC could study whether either of two aluminum adjuvants in childhood vaccines could increase the risk of asthma. On fact, a draft agenda for its December meeting also includes a discussion of "adjuvants and contaminants".

On Monday, RFK Jr. said that while there is no science backing the connection, he would want researchers to look at it because as per him, their use "fit the timeline perfectly". "We don't have the science to say this is an effect or not, or maybe other things like, for example, pesticides that fit the same timeline," he said at the conference that was focused on food allergies.

What Does The Science Say On Aluminum's Link With Food Allergies?

As per CDC, an adjuvant is an ingredient used in some vaccines that help create a stronger immune response in people receiving the vaccine. This means, the aluminum helps the vaccine work better. CDC notes that adjuvants help the body to produce an immune response strong enough to protect the person from the disease he or she is being vaccinated against. The CDC also states that adjuvants have been used safely in vaccines for decades.

The vaccines that contain aluminum adjuvants are manufactured by GSK Plc, Merck & Co., Pfizer Inc., and Sanofi Sa. These vaccines are used to protect children as well as adults against diseases like polio, hepatitis A and B, human papillomavirus, diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis, meningitis, and pneumonia.

However, as per a 2022 observational study titled Association Between Aluminum Exposure From Vaccines Before Age 24 Months and Persistent Asthma at Age 24 to 59 Months, there were possible relationship between the two, though the study did mention that "further investigation is needed". Though, this study has been contradicted by another 2023 study conducted by Denmark's public health agency found no such relation between aluminum and asthma.

RFK Jr. however, demanded that the Annals of Internal Medicine medical journal must retract the Danish study that found no such relation between aluminum and asthma, though the editors of the journal refused.

In fact, the American Academy of Pediatrics also noted that there is no credible link between aluminum in vaccines and the development of food allergies. In a Facebook post, the American Academy of Pediatrics noted: "There is no credible link between aluminum in vaccines and the development of food allergies, including peanut allergies. Peanut allergy risks are influenced by several factors, including genetics or delayed introduction of peanuts during infancy. Pediatricians are always available to offer support, guidance and answer any questions parents may have about vaccines and allergies."