Nutrient-rich bee pollen: A treasure trove of active natural metabolites

Bee pollen is a mixture of plant pollen pellet with nectar and honeybee secretions. Due to its active natural metabolites with extensive nutritional and therapeutic properties, it is recommended as a treasure trove of human nutrition. The nutritional components in bee pollen include carbohydrates, proteins, lipids, vitamins, minerals, polyphenols, and a small percentage of other components. Previous studies demonstrated that bee pollen exhibit antioxidant, antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, anticarcinogenic, and antiallergic properties. This comprehensive review focused on the nutritional properties and potentially active phytometabolites (poly-phenolic acids and flavonoids) of bee pollen and its therapeutic health benefits. We also covered the food safety and guidelines for the consumption with future industrial challenges of bee pollen.