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At Healthfully, we strive to deliver objective content that is accurate and up-to-date. Our team periodically reviews articles in order to ensure content quality. The sources cited below consist of evidence from peer-reviewed journals, prominent medical organizations, academic associations, and government data.
- International Immunopharmacology: Suppression of Allergic Reactions by Royal Jelly in Association with the Restoration of Macrophage Function; H Oka et al
- International Immunopharmacology: Suppression of Allergic Reactions by Royal Jelly in Association with the Restoration of Macrophage Function; H Oka et al
- Animal Reproduction Science: Royal jelly counteracts bucks' "summer infertility"; S Elnagar
- Animal Reproduction Science: Royal jelly counteracts bucks' "summer infertility"; S Elnagar
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Royal Jelly Vs. Honey
Royal jelly and honey both originate from beehives, however bees produce these substances for very different reasons. Honey provides energy for the worker bees, while royal jelly serves as the principal food for the colony’s queen. Royal jelly and honey have been harvested for centuries: the former as a nutritional supplement, the latter mainly as a natural sweetener. Both have valuable properties and both can be highly beneficial to your health depending on their application.
If you are experiencing serious medical symptoms, seek emergency treatment immediately.
Immunomodulatory Effects
Royal jelly demonstrates a positive affect on the immune system, according to a 2001 study conducted by Japanese researchers and published in the journal “International Immunopharmacology.” Royal jelly immediately suppressed the histamine response to allergens in this particular study, and although more research is necessary, royal jelly may help counter allergic reactions 1.
Probiotic
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Honey appears to have an equally valuable effect as a source of bifidobacteria, the beneficial bacteria that support the health of the gastrointestinal tract. A 2001 study conducted by Michigan State University researchers and published by the National Honey Board found that honey promoted the growth of several strains of Bifidobacteria.
Infertility
Royal jelly has been used in traditional Chinese medicine to treat infertility. According to author Randine Lewis, Ph. D., author of “The Infertility Cure: The Ancient Chinese Wellness Program for Getting Pregnant and Having Healthy Babies,” royal jelly combined with traditional Chinese medicine helped her to conceive both of her children 2. A 2010 study conducted by Egyptian researchers and published in the journal “Animal Reproduction Science” demonstrated a link between royal jelly and fertility; however royal jelly’s effectiveness for women has yet to be proven scientifically 3.
Oxidative Stress
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Honey exhibits promising antioxidant properties, according to University of Illinois researchers. A 2003 study published in the “Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry” demonstrated the bioavailability of antioxidants from honey, and saw an increase in antioxidant activity in the blood of study subjects who ingested honey. This research supports the idea that switching from refined sugar sweeteners to honey may help protect adults against oxidative stress.
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References
- International Immunopharmacology: Suppression of Allergic Reactions by Royal Jelly in Association with the Restoration of Macrophage Function; H Oka et al
- The Infertility Cure: The Ancient Chinese Wellness Program for Getting Pregnant and Having Healthy Babies; Randine Lewis; 2004
- Animal Reproduction Science: Royal jelly counteracts bucks' "summer infertility"; S Elnagar
- U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Bee Products J L. Silver Spring, Maryland; November 14, 2016.
- European Health Safety Authority. Scientific Opinion on the substantiation of health claims related to: anthocyanidins and proanthocyanidins (ID 1787, 1788, 1789, 1790, 1791); sodium alginate and ulva (ID 1873); vitamins, minerals, trace elements and standardised ginseng G115 extract (ID 8, 1673, 1674); vitamins, minerals, lysine and/or arginine and/or taurine (ID 6, 1676, 1677); plant‐based preparation for use in beverages (ID 4210, 4211); Carica papaya L. (ID 2007); “fish protein” (ID 651); acidic water‐based, non‐alcoholic flavoured beverages containing calcium in the range of 0.3 to 0.8 mol per mol of acid with a pH not lower than 3.7 (ID 1170); royal jelly (ID 1225, 1226, 1227, 1228, 1230, 1231, 1326, 1328, 1329, 1982, 4696, 4697); foods low in cholesterol (ID 624); and foods low in trans‐fatty acids (ID 672, 4333) pursuant to Article 13(1) of Regulation (EC) No 1924/2006. EFSA Journal. 2011;9(4):2083. doi:10.2903/j.efsa.2011.2083.
- Chiu HF, Chen BK, Lu YY, et al. Hypocholesterolemic efficacy of royal jelly in healthy mild hypercholesterolemic adults. Pharm Biol. 2017 Dec;55(1):497-502. doi:10.1080/13880209.2016.1253110.
- Khoshpey B, Djazayeri S, Amiri F, et al. Effect of Royal Jelly Intake on Serum Glucose, Apolipoprotein A-I (ApoA-I), Apolipoprotein B (ApoB) and ApoB/ApoA-I Ratios in Patients with Type 2 Diabetes: A Randomized, Double-Blind Clinical Trial Study. Can J Diabetes. 2016 Aug;40(4):324-8. doi:10.1016/j.jcjd.2016.01.003.
- Lambrinoudaki I, Augoulea A, Rizos D, et al. Greek-origin royal jelly improves the lipid profile of postmenopausal women. Gynecol Endocrinol. 2016 Oct;32(10):835-839. doi:10.1080/09513590.2016.1188281.
- Omer K, Gelkopf M, Newton G. Effectiveness of royal jelly supplementation in glycemic regulation: A systematic review. World J Diabetes. 2019 Feb 15;10(2):96-113. doi:10.4239/wjd.v10.i2.96.
- Taavoni S, Barkhordari F, Goushegir A, Haghani H. Effect of Royal Jelly on premenstrual syndrome among Iranian medical sciences students: a randomized, triple-blind, placebo-controlled study. Complement Ther Med. 2014 Aug;22(4):601-6. doi:10.1016/j.ctim.2014.05.004.
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Writer Bio
Emma Cale has been writing professionally since 2000. Her work has appeared in “NOW Magazine,” “HOUR Magazine” and the “Globe and Mail.” Cale holds a Bachelor of Arts in English from the University of Windsor and advanced writing certificates from the Canadian Film Centre and the National Theatre School of Canada.