Like honey, propolis, pollen and venom, royal jelly is a product of the hive.

Considered a superfood due to its nutrient-rich composition, it is known for its many health benefits. Royal jelly is a natural source of vitamins, amino acids, minerals and antioxidants, making it a popular dietary supplement.

The benefits of royal jelly are numerous. It is reputed to strengthen the immune system, help fight fatigue, improve skin health, promote healing and even help regulate cholesterol. What's more, royal jelly is often used as a dietary supplement to enhance fertility and vitality.

Queen's food:

In the hive, royal jelly is secreted by young worker bees and plays a central role as the queen's sole and exclusive food throughout her existence.

The queen of a colony can live for 5 to 6 years, while worker bees live for around 45 days, and only their diet differs!

A unique composition:

Royal jelly's unique composition explains its properties: it contains specific proteins (13 to 18%) with antibacterial effects and a key substance believed to be responsible for immunomodulatory activity and protection against oxidative stress. Royal jelly also contains carbohydrates (14 to 16%) , lipids (3 to 6%) , minerals (potassium, magnesium, phosphorus, zinc, iron, copper, manganese), and vitamins such as A, C, D, E, and in particular group B vitamins. The latter are essential for numerous metabolic reactions in the human body.

Finally, royal jelly contains a specific fatty acid, 10-HDA (10-hydroxy-2E-decenoic acid). It is claimed to be antibacterial, anti-inflammatory and anticarcinogenic.

The concentration of 10-HDA testifies to the quality and authenticity of royal jelly.

The benefits of royal jelly :

The benefits traditionally attributed to royal jelly stem from observations made between worker bees and the queen bee. The lifespan and fertility of the queen bee led scientists to investigate the exceptional virtues of royal jelly.

Numerous scientific studies attribute beneficial effects to royal jelly on glycemia, with reduced glucose levels and improved glucose tolerance, and on cholesterol, with reduced concentrations of "bad" cholesterol markers.

Queen bees have a different longevity from other worker bees, even though they share the same genetic material.

Unlike workers, the queen consumes royal jelly throughout her life: this substance has an antioxidant action (which fights cell aging) and also promotes cell growth.

Royal jelly contains antioxidant proteins and 10-HDA, a fatty acid whose multiple pharmacological effects explain the longevity of queens.

Royal jelly is traditionally used to promote fertility by increasing sperm mobility.

Royal jelly is said to have an anti-inflammatory function thanks to its main active ingredient: 10-DHA.

This compound also acts as an effective antibacterial on a range of bacteria, including Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus.

Royal jelly is also a substance traditionally used in women because of its similarity to estrogen and its fatty acid content.

N.B: Most research on royal jelly uses animal models. Further studies are needed to confirm or refute these observations in humans.

The different forms of royal jelly :

Fresh royal jelly has a distinctive taste, so manufacturers have developed forms to mask its flavor. Royal jelly ampoules are a form commonly found with fruit juice mixes.

Convenient to use, the capsule form enables royal jelly to be stored properly. It is often necessary to take several capsules a day.

You can also  find freeze-dried royal jelly capsules of the highest quality. Manufacturers often enrich these capsules with other active ingredients for synergistic action: propolis, spirulina, acerola, ginseng and more. In such cases, it's important to check that the concentration of royal jelly per capsule is sufficient for a significant effect.

In jars, this is a popular form of royal jelly, as it generally provides a highly nutritious, natural product. Easy to use, it can be eaten neat with a spoon, or mixed with honey or yoghurt. It comes from the cells of the hive and undergoes no chemical transformation. It is a pure form containing few, if any, additives. It therefore provides all the vitamins and minerals contained in royal jelly.

Origin and standards :

Over 95% of royal jelly purchased in France is imported from Asia, and only 2% is French.

Since 2016, an international standard has framed the production imperatives (quality, safety) for royal jelly.

The ISO 12824 standard requires a minimum concentration of 1.4 g of 10-HDA, the active compound in royal jelly, per 100 grams of fresh royal jelly, as well as an optimum protein content.

In addition, this standard covers two types of royal jelly. Type 1 jelly, with no added sweet food for the bees, ensures that the bees have been fed only pollen, honey or nectar.

Type 2 royal jelly means that sugars or proteins have been added to the bees' feed.

Type 1 royal jelly is obviously the best choice.

Dosage and use :

For fresh royal jelly, we recommend 1 or 2 grams a day as a one- or two-month course of treatment.

Freeze-dried royal jelly needs to be taken several times a day, up to 5 capsules a day for some laboratories. Cures are slightly longer, at least two months.

If you opt for ampoules, 1 ampoule a day is all you need if it's in the right dosage (and without additives). Dilute in water or fruit juice. To be taken as a course of treatment lasting at least one month.

Whatever form you use, it's advisable to take it on an empty stomach, so that your body can best assimilate the nutrients.

Ideal composition :

Look for a 100% pure, natural formula, with no preservatives, colorants or added sugars.

Check that the product contains a minimum concentration of 1.4% 10-HDA.

What about organic?

Organic royal jelly guarantees a product free of pesticides, heavy metals and anti-microbial treatments.

Organic royal jelly complies with specific regulations: controlled feeding of bees, use of organic flowers..

Production sites are inspected annually. Organic certification is rare, as it requires bees to forage only in certified organic fields.

Organic royal jelly meets criteria similar to those of the GRF label.

If you're buying non-organic royal jelly, avoid imports and insist on a GRF label (French origin). It will be much more expensive because it's rarer, but it will give you the guarantee of a serious, high-quality supply chain.

Dangers, contraindications and side effects :

Allergies are possible with royal jelly, particularly in asthmatics and eczema sufferers.

It is advisable to start a course of treatment with progressive doses, in order to observe the onset of allergic symptoms (urticaria, oedema, itching).

Particular care must be taken in cases of hormone-dependent cancer, and it is not recommended for pregnant and breast-feeding women.

In a nutshell:

Royal jelly is a natural product produced by worker bees, and is known for its many health benefits. This substance is often considered a superfood due to its nutrient-rich composition. Royal jelly is a natural source of B vitamins, amino acids, minerals and antioxidants, making it a popular dietary supplement.

The benefits of royal jelly are numerous. It is reputed to strengthen the immune system, help fight fatigue, improve skin health, promote healing and even help regulate cholesterol. What's more, royal jelly is often used as a dietary supplement to enhance fertility and vitality.

Because of its nutritional composition, royal jelly is also considered a natural stimulant of energy and vitality. Many people consume royal jelly to help boost their immune system and improve their general well-being.

It's important to note that while royal jelly has many potential health benefits, it's always advisable to consult a healthcare professional before adding it to your diet, especially if you have allergies to bee products.

In terms of purity, royal jelly must be free from contaminants such as pesticides, heavy metals and other harmful substances. Production and harvesting methods must ensure that royal jelly remains pure and unadulterated.

The freshness of royal jelly is also an essential criterion. To preserve its beneficial properties, royal jelly must be harvested, stored and distributed under optimum conditions to ensure its freshness and quality.

Finally, the composition of royal jelly is also a key element of quality standards. Levels of nutrients, amino acids, vitamins and other active components must be maintained at optimum levels to guarantee its efficacy.

It is advisable to choose royal jelly products from reputable sources, and to check whether they have been certified by recognized regulatory bodies or quality labels. This ensures that royal jelly meets established quality standards and is safe to consume.