Royal Jelly

Claims, Benefits: Increases energy, promotes weight loss, gives you a youthful glow, and enhances both memory and sexuality, etc.

Bottom Line: Contains no substance capable of promoting human growth or well-being. Poor source of vitamins for humans.

Full Article, Wellness Letter, April 2002:

Ask the Experts

Q: Is there any truth to the claim that royal jelly increases energy?
C.O., VIA THE INTERNET

A: None. Royal jelly is a milky secretion from worker honey bees that's fed to the queen bee to stimulate her growth and development. It consists of proteins, sugar, fat, and some vitamins and minerals, as well as a substance thought to stimulate bee growth. Along with bee pollen, it has been sold as a cure-all (mostly in capsules) for many years. Its proponents claim that it fights fatigue, promotes weight loss, gives you a youthful glow, and enhances both memory and sexuality—and the list goes on. Royal jelly is also an ingredient in many cosmetics. A few small studies in such out-of-the-mainstream publications as the American Bee Journal and the Saudi Medical Journal have noted antibacterial activity in royal jelly.

There are no good studies from reputable journals suggesting that royal jelly is healthful for humans. The government has tried, unsuccessfully, to stop royal jelly companies from making health claims. The FDA has also recalled a few royal jelly products that proved to be contaminated with lead.

Royal jelly probably won't harm you, unless you are susceptible to allergies or anaphylactic shock (a sometimes fatal reaction) or if you have asthma, in which case you should avoid it.

Whatever it may do for a queen bee, royal jelly is a poor source of vitamins for humans. It contains no substance capable of promoting human growth or well-being. In short, it is a waste of money.

UC Berkeley Wellness Letter, April 2002