Royal jelly is a nutritious substance secreted by young nurse bees. It contains proteins important for cell growth and reproduction. Just like honey, it comes from beehives – although bees produce it for entirely different reasons (and it has a spicy-acidic sweet taste). While honey serves as food for the worker bees, royal jelly is food for the queen bee. More importantly, it has antitumor and healing properties. In this post, let’s see how the jelly can benefit us.
How Is Royal Jelly Good For You?
Royal jelly typically contains 60% to 70% water, 15% proteins, and 2-3% vitamins and amino acids – all of these contribute to its benefits.
Research shows that taking royal jelly on a regular basis can lower bad cholesterol levels. It can also treat infertility and high blood pressure and can be a good aid in the treatment of various forms of cancer. That’s a brief about the goodness of royal jelly. Now, we get to more details.
What Are The Benefits Of Royal Jelly?
The antioxidants in royal jelly can boost immunity and fight cancer. It contains important neurotransmitters that improve brain health and prevent conditions like Alzheimer’s. The jelly also balances hormones and might improve sexual health.
1. Royal Jelly Boosts The Immune System
Studies have shown that histamine (a compound that is released in the body in response to injury or allergy) response to allergens was suppressed post royal jelly intake. One study states that royal jelly has a lot of flavonoids and organic compounds – all of which can enhance performance by building immunity (1). The jelly can counteract allergens and even accelerate wound healing.
2. Improves Brain Health
Royal jelly contains antioxidants that can protect the fatty acids in the brain tissue from free radical attacks – which means it has the potential to aid Alzheimer’s treatment (2). The nutrients in royal jelly can also treat chemical imbalances in the brain, which can otherwise lead to anxiety and stress.
Royal jelly is also the only natural source of acetylcholine, which is a neurotransmitter that regulates memory and transmits messages from cell to cell. Optimal levels of this neurotransmitter in the brain can be linked to improved memory and cognitive function. Royal jelly might also treat depression.
3. Helps Fight Cancer
Royal jelly has been noted as a possible way to inhibit cancer growth. It has been found to stop blood supply to cancer cells, thereby halting their growth. The fatty components of royal jelly have estrogenic effects – which is one reason it can help treat the cancers of breast and cervix.
One Iranian study showed how royal jelly could help treat cancer-related fatigue (3).
4. Can Aid Diabetes Treatment
Long-term supplementation of royal jelly was found to improve several diabetes indicators. The intake of royal jelly was also linked to some positive changes in glucose levels, although these changes were only long-term (4). Another study suggests that royal jelly supplementation may be beneficial in controlling the outcomes of diabetes (5).
Though we need more studies to substantiate the facts, this is a step in the right direction.
5. Royal Jelly Might Prevent Osteoporosis
One Turkish study states that royal jelly, along with bee pollen, can decrease bone loss due to osteoporosis (6). It was also found to enhance internal calcium absorption, which can build bone health and prevent osteoporosis.
6. Promotes Digestive Health
Royal jelly is a good source of bifidobacteria, which are the beneficial bacteria that support digestive health. It is a useful probiotic that supports the health of the gastrointestinal tract.
7. Fights Inflammation
As per a Japanese study, royal jelly has anti-inflammatory effects that help treat periodontal diseases (7). Some sources suggest that it might also work as an arthritis treatment.
8. Can Aid Weight Loss
Though royal jelly doesn’t directly reduce weight, it can increase your energy levels – which, in turn, helps you workout harder, and that, eventually, leads to weight loss. And since it is low in calories and doesn’t have saturated fat, it can be a good addition to your weight loss diet.
According to an Iranian study, supplementation with royal jelly can help in weight management in diabetics (8). The jelly might also boost metabolism, which, in turn, helps in weight loss.
9. Royal Jelly Can Boost Fertility
There is less information on this, though. One study states that the antioxidant properties of royal jelly have a positive effect on sperm parameters – and this can enhance fertility (9).
10. Is Beneficial For The Skin
Royal jelly contains antioxidants that fight the signs of aging. The jelly rejuvenates your skin, tightens the pores, and gives you a flawless look. It scavenges the free radicals that cause aging and imparts a healthy radiance to your skin.
Royal jelly fights skin conditions like eczema, candida, and acne. It contains anti-inflammatory properties that reduce inflammation, eliminate bacteria, and improve the appearance of your skin. All you have to do is take some of the jelly, apply it to the affected areas and wash off after 20 minutes. Do it in the mornings. You can also purchase royal jelly extract or powder and use it for this purpose.
For treating dark circles, take two tablespoons of royal jelly and apply it all over the affected areas. Keep it on for 20 minutes and then wash it off. Alternatively, you can also mix some almond oil with royal jelly and apply. Leave it on for 15 minutes and then wash with cold water.
You can also moisturize your hands and legs with royal jelly. Apply it to your skin and leave it on for a maximum of 15 minutes. Wash off with cold water. You will surely see your skin change dramatically.
You can also use it to lessen scars and dark spots and for making your skin glow. Take two tablespoons of royal jelly, some yogurt, and one egg white. Mix well and apply it to your face. Leave it on for 15 minutes, and wash off with cold water. Do this thrice a week to keep your face smooth and clean.