With the growing interest in healthy nutrition and the widespread use of natural supplements, questions about the effect of propolis supplements on weight are frequently raised. Many people wonder: Does propolis cause weight gain? Does propolis cause weight gain? This is especially true given the conflicting information available, with articles confirming its benefits for weight loss and others warning of its potential weight gain.
These questions haunt anyone interested in improving their health or considering incorporating propolis into their daily routine, amidst the proliferation of rumors and mixed advice on social media and in newspapers. This article will clarify the current scientific evidence surrounding the relationship between propolis and weight, presenting the results of relevant studies, methods of use, and the experiences of those who have used it. This will provide you with a reliable scientific basis before making any decision about incorporating propolis into your diet.
Does propolis increase weight?
When investigating whether propolis promotes weight gain or weight loss, there is no conclusive scientific evidence to support either approach in humans. Research has not demonstrated a direct relationship between propolis consumption and significant weight gain or even weight loss in the human clinical studies available to date, according to WebMD reports that propolis is commonly used for its immune-boosting and protective properties, not for weight loss.
What do the studies say?
Most of the scientific literature on the effects of propolis and its compounds on weight is based on experiments conducted on animals, not directly on humans. Some of these studies have shown results indicating a reduction in fat accumulation and an improvement in some metabolic indicators when propolis extracts are administered to animals. A recent scientific review demonstrated the effectiveness of propolis polyphenols in reducing weight in animal studies. However, it's important to note that:
- These results have not yet been confirmed in humans because clinical studies are lacking or very limited.
- The observed changes in body weight were most likely due to the effects of the extracts rather than from consuming raw propolis.
- Results from animal studies do not necessarily imply the same response in humans due to differences in metabolism and dosage.
Does propolis have calories?
Propolis is not a high-calorie source at all, as supplements are typically used in very small doses, often not exceeding 1.5 grams per day. These small amounts do not contain enough calories to have a real effect on weight gain.
Does it change appetite?
No conclusive findings have emerged indicating that propolis directly alters appetite or stimulates or inhibits food intake in humans. Studies have mostly focused on its anti-inflammatory effects and targeting of general metabolism, rather than effects related to hunger or appetite. Furthermore, some users have randomly reported subtle changes in appetite, while others noticed no difference, suggesting that the response to propolis in this regard is individual and cannot be accurately predicted.
What is propolis?
Propolis is a resinous substance produced by bees by combining beeswax with plant resins and their salivary secretions, creating a rich compound used to reinforce beehives and protect them from germs. Also known as "propolis," propolis' properties and texture vary depending on the type of plants used by the bees and the hive's geographic location, giving it a viscous consistency and a color that ranges from dark brown to green or bright red, depending on the plant and geographic source.
How do bees produce it?
Bees produce propolis when they collect resins from the buds and trunks of trees and plants, then mix them with beeswax and salivary enzymes inside their hives. This process creates a strong, flexible, resinous substance used to seal small cracks in the hive and protect the colony from bacteria and fungi.
What is propolis made of?
- About 50% of the propolis composition is made up of plant resins and balms.
- Beeswax makes up 30% of its content.
- Its formula contains 10% essential oils and other natural oils.
- About 5% of its components are pollen grains.
- It also contains phenols along with other active organic compounds.
Its available forms for health
Propolis is available in a range of easy-to-use health products, suitable for a variety of personal health and immune support goals.
- Capsules or dietary supplements taken by mouth.
- Mouthwash or toothpaste to fight bacteria and improve oral health.
- Topical ointments or creams for skin and wound care.
- Concentrated liquid drops for various therapeutic purposes.
- A syrup used in some energy and immunity supplements.
- Lozenges are used by some to improve throat and pharynx health.
What are the health benefits of propolis?
Propolis contains a rich composition of flavonoids and polyphenols, which give it powerful antibacterial, antiviral, and antifungal properties, making it a popular choice for supporting the immune system. Studies have shown that including propolis may help stimulate the body's immune response against pathogens and support the body's ability to fight infection thanks to its bioactive effects. Body immunity . If you're looking for a reliable source of natural propolis to reap these benefits, you can try it. The finest types of propolis from Fahad Al-Qanun , which are distinguished by their purity and quality, are an ideal choice for naturally and safely enhancing health and immunity.
Propolis also plays a prominent role in wound healing. According to the results of several limited clinical trials, topical application of propolis to superficial wounds has been shown to accelerate the healing process, reduce inflammation, and lower the likelihood of infection. It has been proven effective in accelerating healing . These trials reported a significant improvement in wound healing in people who used propolis-containing preparations compared to traditional treatment methods.
As for the metabolic effects of propolis, some evidence suggests that consuming propolis may help lower blood sugar levels in some diabetics, support control of blood lipid levels, and reduce inflammatory processes associated with metabolic problems. To benefit from these effects, one can also supplement their diet with: Pollen is rich in minerals and vitamins, which promote overall health and support metabolic balance, especially for those who want to boost their immunity and improve their energy levels and daily activity.
How does propolis affect weight?
Propolis exhibits diverse effects on metabolic processes. Laboratory experiments indicate that its active compounds contribute to stimulating energy production within the body and activating the breakdown of stored fat. For example, studies have shown that the polyphenols found in propolis—such as quercetin, catechin, and artepilin C—activate heat production (thermogenesis) through biological pathways such as AMPK and UCP-1, supporting increased fat utilization and limiting its accumulation, as reported in a recent animal research review.
Polyphenols play a pivotal role in reducing adipogenesis and promoting fat metabolism by influencing key regulatory proteins such as PPARα and SREBP-1, helping to reduce fat accumulation and support healthy metabolic balance.
The results of animal studies have shown the following:
- Consuming propolis extract helped reduce the amount of fat accumulated in the bodies of mice and rats that were fed a high-fat diet.
- A significant decrease in blood cholesterol and triglyceride levels was observed after treating rodents with propolis.
- The results confirmed that the stimulation of thermogenesis and fat breakdown is linked to the activation of regulatory pathways such as AMPK and UCP-1 in adipose tissue.
As for human studies, most of the research has focused on diabetic patients, where some metabolic indicators have been shown to improve when propolis is consumed. However, its direct effect on weight was unclear or limited and statistically insignificant, according to a scientific review .
What is the truth about the relationship between propolis and weight gain?
- There are widespread rumors that propolis directly contributes to weight gain because it is often consumed with honey or other high-calorie ingredients.
- Some of you believe that the presence of sugars or minerals in propolis means it causes rapid weight gain, even though these ingredients are not present in sufficient quantities to make a real difference.
- There is a common misconception that all supplements or natural products affect appetite or calories and necessarily lead to weight gain. This is an inaccurate belief.
The reason some people believe propolis can help with weight gain is due to the false association between consuming it and significant weight gain, especially when mixed with honey or energy- and calorie-rich foods. That's why we always recommend relying on leading brands like Fahad Al-Qanun Honey Production when choosing propolis products . The company is committed to transparency in its ingredient presentation and provides clear options to help you make a healthy, informed decision, free from rumors.
Compared to other bee products such as honey or royal jelly, propolis differs in its nutritional properties. While honey is a rich source of energy and calories, propolis is very low in calories and is not used as an energy source. Instead, it contains biologically active compounds, but in quantities that do not significantly affect weight. If you want to try high-quality, natural honey rich in nutritional benefits and energy, you can rely on Fahd Al-Qanun's Shaflah honey is distinguished by its unique taste and antioxidant content. Pollen is an excellent choice for adding high nutritional value without significantly impacting your daily calorie intake.
What are the difficulties and practical considerations of using propolis?
Chemical composition variation
The chemical composition of propolis varies greatly between different species, depending on the plant source and the geographic region from which it is collected. This variability makes it difficult to predict the health effects of propolis, including its potential impact on weight, as the properties of the active ingredients can differ significantly depending on the geographic and botanical source from which the propolis was collected.
Limitations of human studies
Human research on propolis and its effects on weight is still limited in number and scope. Most of these studies involve people with diabetes or other chronic conditions, while few include healthy adults or children. This limited scope of research makes generalizing the results difficult and limits the reliance on these findings for general recommendations regarding the use of propolis for its effects on weight.
Safe dose of propolis
To date, there is no standardized dosage or official guidelines for taking propolis for weight control. Available studies have typically used dosages ranging from 900 mg to 1,500 mg daily for 8 to 12 weeks, with no serious side effects associated with use at that time and dosage, she noted. Specialized studies . However, further research is still needed to more precisely determine safety and effectiveness.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Does propolis really increase weight?
There is no solid scientific evidence that propolis causes weight gain in most people, especially when used in normal doses. However, individual responses or rare reactions may occur in some individuals that differ from the general population, so it is always advisable to monitor any changes in the body with repeated use.
What is the difference between propolis and bee pollen?
Propolis is the common Arabic name for what is scientifically known as "Akbar." Both refer to the same substance produced by bees from plant resins, with the only difference being the local cultural nomenclature and the international scientific term.
When do the results of using propolis appear?
In a clinical study involving daily use of 900 mg of raw propolis in diabetic patients for 12 weeks, a decrease in weight and body mass index was observed. Another study in healthy individuals who took 1,000 mg daily for 60 days recorded a slight weight gain. This suggests that effects typically appear within 8 to 12 weeks, and results vary depending on the health category and the context in which propolis is used.
Does eating propolis daily have any benefits?
- Regular consumption of propolis may help relieve throat and mouth infections.
- Propolis helps improve digestive health in the long term.
- It plays a role in accelerating wound healing and supporting the natural healing process.
- It may help boost the body's immunity against common diseases.
- These benefits are stated based on traditional use and known clinical observations.
Conclusion
Available scientific research to date indicates that propolis does not cause direct or noticeable weight gain in most people, nor is it a supplement intended to stimulate rapid weight gain or loss. Its effect on weight remains limited and uncertain, according to current studies.
