Bee propolis could prevent cancer in humans: Study

Propolis, a bee-produced product that is very rich in the antioxidants, could help prevent cancer in humans, according to a study.

The study carried out by Doctors Health Press, a division of Lombardi Publishing, said even as honey acquired a reputation recently of being a good health food, propolis, which is produced by bees from tree sap and buds, and other plant sources, is an effective antioxidant.

The findings of the study reproduced in the article ‘It’s Not Honey, But Bees Make It, and It Fights Cancer’ show that bees use propolis for several purposes, although its primary utility for them is as an antibacterial medium.

Propolis is also effective as a steriliser, as it prevents any small animal from making its way into the hive. If any animal does enter, it dies, and its body will be covered in propolis by the bees to avoid it from rotting and infecting the hive.

As propolis is made of concentrated vegetable matter, it is full of antioxidants that can help fight the growth of human cancer cells, the study says.

Throwing light on the findings of researchers in Brazil, the article says that they analysed red bee propolis to study if it had antioxidant or antitumour properties, and they found that propolis had in abundance the types of polyphenols that could purge free radicals before they could damage any cells.

These polyphenols are said to have exerted cytotoxic activity against both throat and cervical cancers.

The researchers also found that antibacterial, antifungal, and antiradical activities were exerted by Brazilian red propolis, whatever be its plant source and chemical composition.

As propolis is akin to a chemical weapon for bees against pathogens and other harmful microorganisms, the researchers say that the same could be replicated with humans as well.

Bee propolis is sold over-the-counter as a supplement.