Fact Check: Can bee pollen cure Diabetes ?

Claim: A short on the social media site YouTube claims that bee pollen can cure diabetes. It claims that they have cured almost 7000-8000 people through this medicine. It also claims it can cure the early stage of diabetes in 2 to 3 months whereas persons having blood sugar levels up to 400 - 500 are completely cured in 6 months.

The link to the video is here.

FACT CHECK:

The claim is FALSE.

What is Diabetes?

Diabetes is a chronic, metabolic disease characterized by elevated levels of blood sugar. Diabetes is a chronic (long-lasting) health condition that affects how your body turns food into energy. According to the American Diabetes Association (ADA), “Diabetes is a group of metabolic diseases characterised by hyperglycemia resulting from defects in insulin secretion, insulin action, or both.”(1)

Diabetes is primarily classified into various types including Type 1, Type 2, and Gestational Diabetes.

In most people with type 1 diabetes, the body’s immune system, which normally fights infection, attacks and destroys the cells in the pancreas that make insulin. As a result, your pancreas stops making insulin. Without insulin, glucose can’t get into your cells and your blood glucose rises above normal. (2)

Type 2 diabetes, the most common type of diabetes, is a disease that occurs when your blood glucose, also called blood sugar, is too high. Blood glucose is your main energy source and comes mainly from the food you eat. Insulin, a hormone made by the pancreas, helps glucose get into your cells to be used for energy. In type 2 diabetes, your body doesn’t make enough insulin or doesn’t use insulin well. (3)

Diabetes is caused by a combination of genetic, environmental, and lifestyle factors that affect the body's ability to produce or use insulin effectively.

Speaking to Medical Dialogues team on the question, whether Diabetes Can be cured, renowned diabetologist and scientist, Padmashri Dr V Mohan said," While there is currently no cure/ remission for type 1 diabetes, research and studies have shown that it is possible for some individuals with type 2 diabetes to reverse the condition through lifestyle changes such as diet modifications and weight loss. By actively managing your blood sugar levels and making healthy choices, you can potentially reach and maintain normal levels without relying solely on medication. It’s important to remember that even if you successfully control your diabetes, it doesn’t mean you are completely cured. Type 2 diabetes requires ongoing management to ensure long-term health and well-being. Remember, every step towards better health counts in the journey of managing this chronic condition effectively," 

What is Bee pollen?

Bee pollen is a combination of plant pollen, honeybee secretions and nectar. It can be gathered at the entrance of the hives with the aid of traps. Bee pollen is used in diets as supplementary nutrition due to its beneficial actions against human diseases. It is a potential source of vital nutrients. It contains 22.7% proteins, lipids, 0.6% vitamins, 10.4% amino acids minerals, 30.8% carbohydrates, trace elements, and considerable amounts of polyphenols, mainly flavonoids, and carotenoids. (4)

Does bee pollen cure diabetes?

No bee pollen doesn't cure diabetes. There is no such evidence to support this theory. There are several comprehensive reviews of the bioactivity and potential medicinal properties of bee pollen, covering a wide range of therapeutic effects from antioxidant, and anti-inflammatory, to anticarcinogenic activities. But as our focus is concerned on diabetes there is no such clinical evidence. However, a study according to Annaas Budi Setyawan reveals that bee pollen may be lowering the HBA1C levels of patients with type 2 DM, but as far as the cure is concerned no evidence is seen. (5)

Does bee pollen lower blood sugar?

Intestinal enzymes (α-amylase and α-glucosidase) break down polysaccharides into glucose to be transported into body cells. Glucose levels could be altered by impairing the activity of these enzymes. α-Amylase and α-glucosidase inhibitors can induce glycemic control. Bee pollen aqueous-ethanol extracts exhibited significant α-amylase inhibition (IC50 4.51 mg/mL) and were more potent than the control (acarbose) (IC50 6.52 mg/mL). Bee pollen water extracts inhibited α-glucosidase with the lowest IC50 0.60 mg/mL compared to IC50 11.30 mg/mL of the control (acarbose). This revealed that bee pollen may act as a natural α-glucosidase inhibitor to lessen blood sugar. [6]

Explaining on effects of Bee pollen, Diabetologist, Dr H Rajesh Krishnan highlighted " Some studies have suggested that bee pollen may have potential benefits for regulating blood glucose levels, which could be relevant for people with diabetes. These include Improved Insulin Sensitivity, Reduced Blood Sugar Levels, Antioxidant Effects."

Side effects of bee pollen:

The major problem is that bee-collected pollen may constitute an important risk factor concerning the presence of contaminants (heavy metals, pesticides, herbicides, mycotoxins, bacteria) which can cause allergic reactions like anaphylaxis. (7)

" In 2024 more research is needed to confirm the effectiveness and safety of bee pollen for managing diabetes. Additionally, individual responses to bee pollen can vary, and it may interact with medications or other supplements. Always consult with a healthcare professional before using bee pollen or any other supplement for diabetes management," Dr Krishnan explained 

Medical Dialogues final take:

No bee pollen can't cure diabetes. We can also make a straight point that the video is making an unverified claim of treating between 7000 to 8000 patients. It is also misleading as it suggests that treated patients can freely consume sugar. 

The claim made in the video is FALSE

Reference

1. https://diabetesjournals.org/care/article/37/Supplement_1/S81/37753/Diagnosis-and-Classification-of-Diabetes-Mellitus

2. https://www.niddk.nih.gov/health-information/diabetes/overview/symptoms-causes#:~:text=Type%201%20diabetes%20occurs%20when,that%20might%20trigger%20the%20disease

3. https://www.niddk.nih.gov/health-information/diabetes/overview/what-is-diabetes/type-2-diabetes#:~:text=Type%202%20diabetes%2C%20the%20most,to%20be%20used%20for%20energy

4. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8230257/

5. https://mjfas.utm.my/index.php/mjfas/article/view/2750

6. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8230257/

7. https://scijournals.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1002/jsfa.7729