Stronger Immunity, Less Hot Flashes, Better Orgasms. Check Out The Perks Of Bee Pollen.
This is the time of year when you’ll probably be drinking more coffee and hot tea than ever before because that is definitely one of the easiest (and most satisfying) ways to stay warm. Well, if you’d prefer to not use sugar and you’re looking for an alternative that not only tastes great but comes with all types of health benefits, too, what about some bee pollen?
Although it might not be something that you’ve ever considered adding to your diet before, I’m about to break down some of the reasons why it absolutely should be — because, when it comes to a food that will have you thinking, “Where have you been all of my life?” bee pollen is slowly yet surely beginning to top a lot of people’s list.
What Is Bee Pollen?
Although a lot of people think that bee pollen is not much different than say, honey, that actually isn’t the case. Bee pollen is a mixture of bee nectar, flower pollen, honey, bee enzymes, beeswax, and other bee secretions. These things work together to provide your system with all sorts of nutrients, amino acids, and protein (which means that it could be considered vegan, although it depends on what your take on bee harvesting is).
In fact, some scientists and researchers have so much respect for what bee pollen has the ability to do, health-wise, that they don’t just consider it to be food but a form of medicine as well.
How to Eat Bee Pollen
If you’ve never tried bee pollen before, you might wonder what it tastes like. What a lot of people say is it’s slightly sweet, semi-nutty, and a little floral. That’s actually why many will not just take it in supplement form, they may consume it as a tea or sprinkle it over their yogurt, put it in a smoothie, add it to their cereal, use it as a garnish for their toast, or acai bowls, grind it up to put into their dessert recipes or use it as an overall sweetener alternative. Yeah, that’s one of the best things about bee pollen — it’s super versatile when it comes to how you can easily get it into your system.
As far as storing it goes, make sure to keep your bee pollen in airtight containers and away from sunlight. It’s also a good idea to keep your pollen in the refrigerator; that way, your enzymes will remain potent for a longer period of time.
Keeping all of this in mind, let’s get into some of the reasons why you should get yourself some bee pollen (if you’re not allergic and your physician gives you the green light, that is) sooner than later.
Who Shouldn’t Use Bee Pollen
Now before I get into seven ways that bee pollen can certainly do your body good, a word of caution: If you’re allergic to pollen, you definitely should leave bee pollen alone. Also, if you happen to be pregnant or taking a prescribed medication, ask your doctor first before consuming bee pollen; as far as pregnancy goes, sometimes it can stimulate the uterus, which is something that you definitely don’t want if you’re not close to your due date.
It should also go on record that there is a slight chance that you could end up with a contaminated batch of bee pollen. One telling sign is if there is a lot of moisture in the bee pollen that you’ve purchased. If so, don’t use it. Same goes for if it smells bad or you notice any type of mold. If either is the case, toss the bee pollen out.
What Does Bee Pollen Do To Your Body?
What does bee pollen do for your health?
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1. Bee Pollen Reduces (Some) Menopause-Related Symptoms
GiphyAight, who had it on their bingo card that bee pollen could help with perimenopause and menopause? As crazy as it might (initially) sound, it’s absolutely true. Certain studies reveal that some of the extracts that are in bee pollen can help to reduce hot flashes, balance out erratic mood swings, and even help to decrease night sweats so that you’re able to get a better quality of sleep at night.
2. Bee Pollen Boosts Your Immune System
GiphySomething else that’s cool about bee pollen is it has the ability to strengthen your immunity by strengthening your immune system, increasing the number of red blood cells that are in your system, and accelerating the speed of your antibodies too. Some studies also say that bee pollen can help to strengthen your liver, fight diabetes, and lower your obesity risk.
Not to mention the fact that bee pollen contains powerful antimicrobial, antifungal, and antiviral properties that help to fight off many different types of bacteria and viruses as well.
3. Bee Pollen Can Help with Hair Growth
GiphyWhen it comes to this particular point, when you think about all of the nutrients and antioxidants that are in bee pollen (protein, Vitamin C, iron, and fatty acids), it would make sense that some reports say that bee propolis (which is basically a form of beeswax) is good for hair growth and overall hair health. As far as bee pollen, specifically, goes, science says that a sulfur-based amino acid called cysteine that’s in the pollen can help to reduce an itchy scalp as well as strengthen your hair shaft in the process.
4. Bee Pollen May Help to Prevent Anemia
GiphyIf something that’s a challenge for you is getting your body to absorb more iron, bee pollen also has your back in that department. Apparently, what makes this possible is the fact that bee pollen is a great source of vitamin C and bioflavonoids, and both of those things make it easier for iron to be absorbed into your bloodstream. So, if anemia or being borderline anemic is something that you deal with, this could be an all-natural remedy for you.
5. Bee Pollen Increases Blood Circulation
GiphyWanna know something else that bee pollen is able to do? It can increase blood circulation, especially to your brain and nervous system. This can result in you having less fatigue, more energy, and even better orgasms (since more blood circulation helps to intensify those). Something else that’s cool about bee pollen, on the blood circulation tip is, since it’s considered to be an unsaturated fatty acid, it can reduce your chances of blood clots, heart disease, and stroke.
6. Bee Pollen Decreases Stress
GiphyWe all could use hacks that help to decrease our stress levels, and on the heels of what I just shared, the reality is that when your blood circulation is good, your body doesn’t have to work as hard, more oxygen is going to your brain and your other organs, and you’re able to feel calmer and more relaxed. Hmph. To tell you the truth, when you think about the fact that sugar can make you more anxious and bee pollen is an awesome sweetener alternative that is also good for your blood — why not give it a shot ASAP? What really do you have to lose?
7. Bee Pollen Increases Longevity
GiphySeveral years back, The New York Times published the article, “One Spoonful of Bee Pollen, Each Day, and You, Too, Might Make It to 113.” And y’all, while that might be pushing things just a bit, some studies on animals have revealed that bee pollen has helped them to have increased muscle mass, a boost in their metabolism, and, yes, longer life. And anything that can add some time to the clock, that’s gotta be worth investing in. So, the next time you’re at a health food store, grab some bee pollen.
As you can see, it can do a helluva lot (although, if you’ve heard that it grows breasts,that’s unfounded). The all-natural way.
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It's kinda wild that, in 2025, my byline will have appeared on this platform for (what?!) seven years. And yeah, when I'm not waxing poetic on here about sex, relationships and then...more sex and relationships, I am working as a certified marriage life coach, helping to birth babies (as a doula) or penning for other places (oftentimes under pen names).
As some of you know, something that I've been "threatening" to do for a few years now is write another book. Welp, October 2024 was the month that I "gave birth" to my third one: 'Inside of Me 2.0: My Story. With a 20-Year Lens'. It's fitting considering I hit a milestone during the same year.
Beyond that, Pumas and lip gloss are still my faves along with sweatshirts and tees that have a pro-Black message on them. I've also started really getting into big ass unique handbags and I'm always gonna have a signature scent that ain't nobody's business but my own.
As far as where to find me, I continue to be MIA on the social media front and I honestly don't know if that will ever change. Still, if you need to hit me up about something *that has nothing to do with pitching on the site (I'm gonna start ignoring those emails because...boundaries)*, hit me up at missnosipho@gmail.com. I'll do what I can. ;)
For Us, By Us: How HBCU Alumni Are Building Legacies Through Entrepreneurship
Homecoming season is here, and alumni are returning to the yard to celebrate with their friends and family at the historically Black colleges and universities (HBCUs) that have changed their lives forever.
No matter where their life journeys have taken them, for HBCU students from near and far, returning to where it all started can invoke feelings of nostalgia, appreciation for the past, and inspiration for the future.
The seeds for these entrepreneurs were planted during their time as students at schools like Spelman, North Carolina A&T, and more, which is why xoNecole caught up with Look Good Live Well’s Ariane Turner, HBCU Buzz’s Luke Lawal and Morehouse Senior Director of Marketing and Comms and Press Secretary Jasmine Gurley to highlight the role their HBCU roots play in their work as entrepreneurs, the legacy they aim to leave behind through the work that they do, and more as a part of Hyundai’s Best In Class initiative.
On Honoring HBCU Roots To Create Something That Is For Us, By Us
Ariane Turner
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When Ariane Turner launched Look Good, Live Well, she created it with Black and brown people in mind, especially those with sensitive skin more prone to dryness and skin conditions like acne and eczema.
The Florida A&M University graduate launched her business to create something that addressed topical skin care needs and was intentional about its approach without negative terminology.
Turner shared that it is important to steer clear of language often adopted by more prominent brands, such as “banishing breakouts” or “correcting the skin,” because, in reality, Turner says there is nothing wrong with the way that our skin and bodies react to various life changes.
“I think what I have taken with me regarding my HBCU experience and translated to my entrepreneurial experience is the importance of not just networking,” Turner, the founder and CEO of Look Good, Live Well, tellls xoNecole.
“We hear that in business all the time, your network is your net worth, but family, there’s a thing at FAMU that we call FAMU-lee instead of family, and it’s very much a thing. What that taught me is the importance of not just making relationships and not just making that connection, but truly working on deepening them, and so being intentional about connecting with people initially, but staying connected and building and deepening those relationships, and that has served me tremendously in business, whether it’s being able to reach back to other classmates who I went to school with, or just networking in general.”
She adds, “I don’t come from a business background. As soon as I finished school, I continued with my entrepreneurial journey, and so there’s a lot of that traditional business act and the networking, those soft skills that I just don’t have, but I will say that just understanding how to leverage and network community and to build intentional relationships is something that has taken me far and I definitely got those roots while attending FAMU.”
On Solving A Very Specific Need For The Community
Luke Lawal Jr.
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When Luke Lawal Jr. launched HBCU Buzz, his main focus was to represent his community, using the platform to lift as they climbed by creating an outlet dedicated to celebrating the achievements and positive news affecting the 107 historically HBCUs nationwide.
By spotlighting the wonderful things that come from the HBCU community and coupling it with what he learned during his time at Bowie State University, Lawal used that knowledge to propel himself as an entrepreneur while also providing his people with accurate representation across the internet.
“The specific problem in 2011 when I started HBCU Buzz was more so around the fact that mainstream media always depict HBCUs as negative,” Lawal says. “You would only see HBCUs in the mainstream media when someone died, or the university president or someone was stepping down. It was always bad news, but they never shed light on all the wonderful things from our community."
So, I started HBCU Buzz to ensure the world saw the good things that come from our space. And they knew that HBCUs grew some of the brightest people in the world, and just trying to figure out ways to make sure our platform was a pedestal for all the students that come through our institutions.”
“The biggest goal is to continue to solve problems, continue to create brands that solve the problems of our communities, and make sure that our products, our brands, our companies, and institutions are of value and they’re helping our community,” he continues. “That they’re solving problems that propel our space forward.”
On How Being An HBCU Alum Impacts The Way One Shows Up In The World
Jasmine Gurley
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Jasmine Gurley is a proud North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University alum. She is even more delighted with her current role, which enables her to give back to current HBCU students as the Senior Director of Brand Marketing and Communications and official press secretary at Morehouse College.
“It was a formative experience where I really was able to come into my own and say yes to all the opportunities that were presented to me, and because of that, it’s been able to open the doors later in life too,” says Gurley of her experience at North Carolina A&T. “One thing I love about many HBCUs is that we are required to learn way more about African American history than you do in your typical K through 12 or even at the higher ed level."
She adds, “It allowed us to have a better understanding of where we came from, and so for me, because I’m a storyteller, I’m a history person, I’m very sensitive to life in general, being able to listen to the stories and the trials that our ancestors overcame, put the battery pack in my back to say, ‘Oh nothing can stop me. Absolutely nothing can stop me. I know where I came from, so I can overcome something and try anything. And I have an obligation to be my ancestors’ wildest dreams. Simultaneously, I also have a responsibility to help others realize that greatness.
Gurley does not take her position at an HBCU, now as a leader, lightly.
“People think I’m joking when I say I’m living the dream, but I really am,” she notes. “So I wake up every day and know that the work that I do matters, no matter how hard it might be, how frustrating it may be, and challenging it. I know the ripple effect of my work, my team, and what this institution does also matter. The trajectory of Black male experiences, community, history, and then just American advancement just in general.”
On the other hand, through her business, Sankofa Public Relations, Gurley is also on a mission to uplift brands in their quest to help their respective communities. Since its inception in 2017, Sankofa PR has been on a mission to “reach back and reclaim local, national, and global communities by helping those actively working to move” various areas of the world, focusing on pushing things forward for the better.
“Through Sankofa, we’ve worked with all different types of organizational brands and individuals in several different industries, but I would think of them as mission-based,” says Gurley.
“So with that, it’s an opportunity to help people who are trying to do good in the world, and they are passionate about what they’re doing. They just need help with marketing issues, storytelling, and branding, and that’s when my expertise can come into play. Help them get to that moment where they can tell their story through me or another platform, and that’s been super fulfilling.”
Join us in celebrating HBCU excellence! Check out our Best In Class hub for inspiring stories, empowering resources, and everything you need to embrace the HBCU experience.
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The End Of The Road? Zoë Kravitz And Channing Tatum Reportedly Split
Rumors are circulating that Zoë Kravitz and Channing Tatum's engagement has come to an end. Adding to the intrigue, two hours prior to the news of their split becoming public, Channing celebrated the exciting announcement that he and Zoë would reunite for an upcoming alien invasion movie entitled Alpha Gang.
Some folks are saying that October is now “uncuffing season” as partners won’t have to deal with the weight and expectations that come with this time of year. From matching Halloween costumes to voting to Thanksgiving and Christmas, it seems the new cuffing season has moved to January.
In August 2021, Zoë and Channing were first rumored to be romantically involved after being photographed riding together through the streets of New York City on a BMX bike. The following month, they were seen leaving the Met Gala together, and Tatum confirmed their relationship on Halloween by posting a picture of them wearing a couples costume from Martin Scorsese's iconic 1976 film Taxi Driver on Instagram.
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After collaborating on Zoë's directorial debut, Blink Twice, where Channing played a starring role, their relationship blossomed into a full-out romance. Approximately a year later, the Step Up star popped the question.
Because the streets are always watching, PEOPLE reported that Channing joined Zoë in seeing a production of a play by Blink Twice costar Levon Hawke in New York City's Red Hook neighborhood on Oct. 6. Most recently, Kravitz has been seen in public without her engagement ring, notably during an outing with her Big Little Lies co-star Shailene Woodley.
So the news of the split kinda comes as a surprise as we were just oozing over the couple’s undeniable chemistry during their Blink Twice press run in August. Channing and Zoë openly discussed their relationship and collaborated on multiple videos that went viral.
Even proud papa Lenny Kravitz gave his approval. During an interview with BBC’s Radio 2, he said, "He was raised well. So, you know, he’s got manners. He’s charming. He’s a soulful human being. And so, he’s become part of the family quite quickly. He fits and they're in love. We’re going to have a wedding next year."
As we mourn this breakup, let’s run back some memorable moments from the possibly uncoupled pair.
"Art is our love language."
When asked about future collaborations with her boo during the premiere of Blink Twice on Aug. 23, Zoë shared, "I think it's what we love, and we love talking about it, and experiencing it, and supporting each other.” Channing chimed in saying, “This is what I'll say about creating with someone that you are with or love: I suggest it. If you are thinking about having a kid or if you're thinking about getting married, go find the hardest possible creative project with your partner.”
“I got you forever.”
Channing took to Instagram to share an adoring photo of him holding Zoë. He captioned the photo, “This little sweet. She So tired bro. Every time I wondered if she’d break…. She just kept going and going and going. Always on the dig for truth. She pour’d every single ounce of her into this film. I’m so proud to stand ten toes down for her, this film and everyone in it. forever. Knowing what it took to make it. No one will ever know.”
The last line took us out: “Thank you for finding me and seeing me. I got you forever. Me and you back to back against it all. I’ll never blink. Let’s go. #blinktwice”
GOAT Talk
On Complex’s GOAT Talk, a show where stars are prompted to reveal their favorites of all time, Channing and Zoë disclosed their go-to song for singing in the shower, their beloved ad-lib line from Blink Twice, and their stance on conspiracy theories and their favorite rapper. The moment Channing challenged Zoë’s answer that Catwoman is the best superhero of all time was just too cute.
“The Lie Detector determined…”
The cast of Blink Twice underwent Vanity Fair's well-known lie detector test, facing a barrage of probing questions. Among the inquiries were: Did Channing Tatum and Naomi Watts ever irritate Zoë Kravitz during the filming of Blink Twice? Did Naomi ever pilfer anything from the set? Did Channing's portrayal of Gambit in Deadpool & Wolverine surpass his personal expectations?
Best of all were the moments you saw Zoë and Channing look at each other adoringly and when they would finish each other sentences. “We are equally cool,” Zoë beamed.
Puppy Love
The pair hung out with BuzzFeed and a slew of adorable puppies while chatting about their favorite improvised moment on set, who has the best rizz — which is apparently Channing according to Zoë — and their first impressions of each other. Not only did they binge-watch Love Island together but they also boasted they would win Love Is Blind if they were on the show.
The Pressure
Zoë Kravitz recently sat down with Esquirefor an interview and got real about her thoughts on becoming a parent. She shared that she's always kinda thought motherhood might not be her thing. “For a long time, I felt like there was something wrong with me. I was waiting for this light to go off in my head, and it never did. When you’re younger, you’re like, ‘Well, I can’t have kids. I’m too young! It’d be crazy.’”
Her viewpoint on childbirth and parenthood has evolved as she has matured and witnessed the societal pressure placed on women to reproduce. While she recognizes the immense strength and courage required to carry and raise a child, Kravitz believes that women should not be made to feel obligated to do so.
Zoë continued, “For a lot of people that have children, it is this giant, life-changing event – and I do think there is a certain amount of focus and respect that they should get from their community. There’s a lot of pressure on women to have children, and there’s a feeling that if you don’t, you don’t have purpose here.” The director feels a special connection to her new movie akin to giving birth.
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