Beeswax is known as the "whitening and beauty miracle" and many people consume it for whitening and beauty purposes. Is beeswax really that magical? What are the effects and functions of beeswax? What are the dietary taboos for consuming beeswax? Let's find out together.
Effects and Functions of Beeswax
1. Reduces blood lipids. Beeswax contains more than 10 essential vitamins for the human body, which can balance fat metabolism and sugar metabolism, and can reduce high blood lipids and high blood sugar in obese people, making it very suitable for obese diabetic patients.
2. Controls vasodilation and reduces blood pressure. This conclusion is based on the presence of 10-hydroxydecenoic acid (royal jelly acid) and major royal jelly protein-1 in beeswax.
3. Assists in lowering blood sugar. This effect is mainly derived from the insulin-like peptides contained in beeswax, which are a special drug for treating diabetes.
4. Antioxidant effect. This is a widely recognized effect of beeswax. It has a strong effect on cell repair and regeneration. Superoxide dismutase (SOD) detected in beeswax is the main component of its antioxidant properties.
5. Protects the liver. Beeswax can not only kill hepatitis viruses, but also inhibit the replication of viruses in liver cells. Flavonoids and other substances in propolis have the effect of reducing transaminase, promoting liver cell regeneration, and preventing liver cirrhosis. Patients with liver cirrhosis should not take propolis products containing alcohol, but should take propolis soft capsules or concentrates with higher alcohol content.
6. Antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory. Beeswax has antibacterial and wound-healing effects. Experiments have also shown that beeswax has antibacterial spectra against Escherichia coli, Salmonella typhi, Streptococcus, Proteus, Bacillus subtilis, Mycobacterium tuberculosis, Trichophyton mentagrophytes, and Epidermophyton floccosum. The antibacterial and anti-inflammatory effects of beeswax are related to pH. The strongest antibacterial effect is at pH 4.5, weakened at pH 7, and lost at pH 8. The pH of beeswax is between 3.5 and 4.5, so its antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties are strongest in natural conditions.
7. Anti-aging and enhancement of sexual function, as well as anti-radiation and enhancement of memory.
Dietary Taboos for Beeswax Consumption
When consuming beeswax, there are also some dietary taboos. Beeswax contains heterologous proteins and melittin from pollen, which can cause allergies in some people. People with allergies should avoid consumption. People with hypoglycemia should also avoid consumption. This is mainly because beeswax contains insulin-like substances, which can enhance the blood glucose-lowering effect of insulin in the body and exacerbate hypoglycemic reactions. People with weakness, loose stools, and diarrhea should also avoid consumption. In addition, normal children should not drink beeswax, mainly because beeswax can promote the development of sexual organs and premature puberty in children. For malnourished and developmentally delayed children, a daily dose of 1 gram can significantly improve their condition within one to three months.
Beeswax should not be mixed with hot water or tea. High temperatures can destroy its active substances, and tannic acid and iron in tea can reduce its effectiveness. Another point is that it must be taken for a long time to be effective.
Shelf life: Beeswax should be stored at low temperatures, preferably -5 to -7°C. Practical experience has shown that under such temperature conditions, the composition changes very slightly when stored for one year, and it can be stored for several years at -18°C without deterioration. Capsules and tablets can be stored at room temperature for 2 years.
If you do not like the taste of beeswax, you can mix 2 parts of honey with 1 part of beeswax in warm water and consume. It can also be consumed together with honey and bee pollen.
Eating beeswax before bed is a wrong dietary habit. This is because beeswax contains a rich amount of carbohydrates, which can increase blood viscosity after entering the blood vessels. During sleep, the heart rate slows down and blood flow slows down. If beeswax is consumed before bed, it may cause abnormal blood flow in specific areas, leading to microcirculation disorders and promoting the formation of cerebral thrombosis.
Five Types of People Who Should Not Consume Beeswax
1. Hypotension: Beeswax contains substances that can inhibit the heart and lower blood pressure.
2. Hypoglycemia: Beeswax contains insulin-like substances that can exacerbate hypoglycemic reactions.
3. Allergic constitution: Beeswax can trigger allergic reactions in the body, and melittin can promote intestinal contraction and induce intestinal dysfunction in diarrhea patients.
4. Pregnant women: Beeswax contains hormone-like substances that can stimulate uterine contractions and interfere with fetal development in the uterus.
5. Infectious fever period: Traditional Chinese medicine believes that taking beeswax during this period can prolong the illness.
Avoiding the dietary taboos of consuming beeswax will allow you to obtain its nutritional and health benefits better and more safely.
