Superfoods are foods which are particularly high in certain aspects of nutrition. Some of them, like raw chocolate, acai berries or green tea are particularly high in antioxidants. Others are quite high in certain vitamins or minerals, such as goji berries being very high in vitamin C. And some superfoods, like bee pollen, are all around health tonics due to a number of reasons.

Bee Pollen is often referred to as the "perfect food" because it is said to contain all the vitamins, amino acids, trace minerals and enzymes needed to sustain the human body. It has been used as a supplement for multiple generations stretching back thousands of years. It's even mentioned in the books of many major religions including the Bible, the Koran and the Talmud.

It is estimated that bee pollen contains more than 5000 different enzymes and co-enzymes; more than any other known food. Dietary sources of enzymes are important to aid in the digestion of our food.

Bee pollen is also a vegetarian source of vitamin B12; a nutrient traditionally difficult for vegetarians to maintain. It also contains most of the remaining B vitamins, vitamin A, C, D and E. Bee pollen has all nine of the essential amino acids making it a complete vegetarian protein. Although you wouldn't eat enough pollen to equal a serving of a traditional protein, gram for gram it is estimated that pollen contains five times the protein of meat, eggs, or dairy products. The protein in pollen is also much easier to digest and assimilate since it is in a predigested form.

Pollen also contains the essential fatty acid linoleic acid, an omega 6 fatty acid associated with cancer prevention, dermatitis and diabetes treatment. Bee pollen is also a source of complex carbohydrates, plant hormone substances and lecithin. It's also an abundant source of trace minerals and these minerals are bound to organic molecules making them easier to assimilate than those found in sea salt.

As a general tonic, claims of what bee pollen can do are varied. It is said to reduce LDL cholesterol levels, regulate metabolism for weight control, rejuvenate skin and help with acne, increase energy levels (likely due to its high B vitamin content), increase libido and athletic endurance and even improve blood pressure. Some people say they notice improved mental function and decreased depression when taking pollen regularly.

Bee pollen consumers usually recommend one to three tablespoons per day. However, you should start out slow with bee pollen. Start by placing one granule under the tongue on the first day, just to make sure you don't allergically react to it. It is estimated that only 0.5% of the population have any kind of adverse reaction to pollen, but since bee allergies can cause anaphylactic reactions, it's important to take precautions. If there is any reason at all that you suspect you may be allergic to bees or bee products, consult an allergist before proceeding with bee pollen supplementation.

You can consume bee pollen as a supplement, sprinkle it on food like salads or cereals, blend or dissolve it in beverages or simply eat it by the spoonful. It can be found at most health food stores and some farmer's markets.

The Healthy Foodie is Doug DiPasquale, Holistic Nutritionist and trained chef, living in Toronto. You can email him with questions at dugdeep@gmail.com.