Bee Pollen Supplements and More: The Top Choice of Athletes and Celebs

June 15, 2026

Bee products such as raw honeycomb, a bowl of honey with a honey wand, bee-based soap, skincare products and bee pollen supplements for wellness and performance.

Long before supplements and biohacking became mainstream, thanks to wellness influencers, some of the world’s top performers and public figures were using a natural superfood from a humble little creature - the bee. Unlike wellness products which have gained popularity in the recent decade (think kombucha, matcha), bee products, including bee pollen supplements for health, are not a modern wellness trend. They’ve long been part of diets for energy and recovery. People recognised them for their natural sweetness and clean nutrition, without harmful chemicals or additives that may be found in other types of wellness foods.

From bee pollen to royal jelly and raw honey, these natural bee products have been trusted by some of the world’s most recognisable figures.

But first, what are the benefits of bee pollen supplements and bee products?

Bee products such as raw honeycomb and jars of different honey types which are natural superfoods for wellness and performance.

The most recognizable bee product is honey. But natural goodness from the hive extends to other forms too, ranging from bee pollen to royal jelly. Here's what these bee products can do for us!

Bee Pollen: A nutrient-dense mixture of flower pollen, nectar, enzymes, honey, and bee saliva collected by worker bees to serve as the primary food source for the hive. Helps boost energy, endurance, and recovery.
Royal Jelly: A nutritious milky white, gelatinous secretion produced by worker bees to feed all larvae, and exclusively served to the queen bee all her life. Boosts vitality, longevity and cognitive support when taken long-term.
Raw Honey: The purest form of honey that is only strained and left otherwise unprocessed to preserve its high nutrient content. Boosts immunity, natural energy, and is packed with antioxidants. A bee product most of us are very familiar with.
Propolis: A sticky substance produced by honey bees by mixing tree sap, botanical resins, and wax with their own enzymes, used to repair the hive. Beneficial for supporting throat health and immune support.

Athletes have long used honey as an easily digestible energy source for workouts, boosting their stamina and helping to curb muscle inflammation. Celebrities also love honey for its superfood status, using it for vocal chord protection and skincare (Victoria Beckham claims that she takes around 60 supplements, including bee pollen supplements, daily to retain her skin’s natural glow). Even members of the British royal family are known to use honey for overall wellness and as part of natural health traditions.

These are six famous public figures who have used bee products in their daily routines for vitality and wellness.

How did athletes use bee products and bee pollen supplements for health?

For elite athletes, natural recovery and sustained energy are essential for continued performance during both training and competitions. There’s no creature that knows energy better than the busy honeybee.

1) Muhammad Ali

We’ve all heard the phrase ‘float like a butterfly, sting like a bee'. But boxing legend Muhammad Ali’s connection with bees also extended into his daily routine. During his peak years from the 1960s to the 1970s, he used bee pollen supplements to boost his energy, stamina, and performance. Beyond giving him added endurance during matches, bee pollen may have also aided in his physical recovery during training.

2) Novak Djokovic

Legendary tennis player Novak Djokovic takes two teaspoons of New Zealand manuka honey every morning and during matches to support his immune system and energy levels. The Grand Slam winner has spoken about honey's antibacterial properties and its natural fructose, which provides sustained energy without requiring him to take foods with processed sugar. Its antibacterial properties have also been studied for its ability to aid the body in fighting infections. Understandably, this natural superfood fit well into Djokovic's gluten-free, low-refined-sugar diet to improve his health and performance.

Novak Djokovic considers honey a key part of his nutrition and success, even mentioning his morning ritual in his 2013 book ‘Serve to Win’.

Did royalty use bee products and bee pollen supplements for health?

Now we’re getting into queen bee territory - yes, they did use bee products. Meet the royals who follow historical traditions of consuming bee products for natural wellness.

3) The British Royal Family

It comes as no surprise that the British royal family keeps its own royal beehives. The British royals maintain a long-standing tradition of beekeeping and honey production across their various estates, with the honey produced on royal estates being 100% natural and unprocessed.

Members of the royal family use raw honey for personal consumption or as official gifts. King Charles reportedly travels with a special box containing six different varieties of honey for his breakfast oats and tea. Additionally, the royal family reportedly never use sugar in their tea, preferring honey, as observed by their former butler Grant Harrold.

There’s enough honey produced on their estates for guests too. Buckingham Palace honey is used by palace chefs for madeleines and cakes served at summer garden parties.

The Princess of Wales Kate Middleton is the latest to join the royal family's tradition of beekeeping - she shared honey from her home apiary with schoolchildren on an official visit in 2021, noting its unique taste which sets it apart from store-bought honey.

It’s not just the British Royal Family who have cultivated a long history with bees and honey. Special mention goes to the Ancient Egyptians who used honey for everything from food to salves and candle-making. According to legend, Cleopatra VII, the last pharaoh of Ancient Egypt, maintained her youthful, radiant skin by bathing in a mixture of milk and fresh honey.

Which celebrities use bee products and bee pollen supplements for health?

Our larger-than-life screen favourites are often seen on stage and in shows, attending public events and charming everyone with their boundless energy and talent. A number of them are proud consumers of raw Manuka honey, using it for everything, from energy and skincare to vocal chord recovery.

4) Scarlett Johansson

Before she adopted a vegan skincare routine, actress Scarlett Johansson was using raw honey as part of her beauty regime. The Marvel actress incorporated honey into face masks, crediting her glowing skin to its antibacterial and hydrating properties.

5) Gwyneth Paltrow

Actress Gwyneth Paltrow is a vocal advocate of apitherapy - a type of therapy that uses bee-derived products like bee pollen supplements, honey, and propolis to resolve health issues. Her wellness company, Goop, promotes bee-based products and recipes. She has also spoken about her use of bee pollen, raw honey, propolis, and even bee venom for her overall wellbeing and health.

6) Ariana Grande

Pop singer Ariana Grande uses honey products to support her vocal health and soothe her throat following long hours of performing. Honey is a natural superfood popular with singers for its anti-inflammatory properties that support quick recovery from vocal chord fatigue.

How do I choose a high-quality bee pollen product?

Today's consumers are increasingly invested in convenient, natural alternatives to the wide range of lab-produced health supplements in the market. Often, these alternatives include bee products, which have transitioned from historical royal remedies into accessible natural superfoods that support modern health and wellness journeys. From targeted wellness supplements to advanced skincare formulations, bee products have evolved far beyond the classic glass jar.

Bee pollen supplements: Available in tablets for on-the-go consumption, such as HDI Origins™ Pollenergy 520 Tablets
Royal jelly: Packaged in jars for easy everyday consumption, such as HDI Origins™ Royale Jelly.
Propolis: Blended into personal care products for daily skincare, such as HDI Better Botanics™ Body Wash
Raw honey: For consumption with everyday meals, such as HDI Naturals™ Clover Honey

Despite these innovative new formats, the core active ingredients remain unchanged, delivering the exact same pure bee-based nutrition that people have relied on for generations.

What are the top benefits of consuming bee pollen supplements?

Bee pollen supplements are usually packed with essential nutrients for wellness. These are some of their top benefits:

Natural energy and stamina boost: Packed with vitamins and proteins to prevent fatigue and sustain energy levels throughout the day.
Faster muscle recovery: Its high concentration of amino acids make it an excellent supplement for repairing muscle tissue after intense physical activity.
Reduce inflammation: Antioxidants in bee pollen neutralise free radicals and reduce inflammation caused by daily oxidative stress.

Are the health benefits of bee pollen supplements supported by scientific studies?

Yes, a growing body of medical and nutritional research supports several of the health benefits of bee pollen.

Lab studies such as this trend review published in the National Library of Medicine have found that bee pollen possess ‘strong antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, antiviral, analgesic, immunostimulant, neuroprotective, anti-cancer, and hepatoprotective properties’. It’s recognised as a superfood among researchers due to its high concentration of nutrients and bioactive compounds.

Try a bee-based product today!

While bee products are not miracle cures, their continued use among athletes, public figures, and wellness advocates highlights their enduring place in health and performance culture.

There’s a bee-based product for every kind of lifestyle and age range. Why not introduce one to your daily routine today? It’s a beautifully simple way to add a touch of wholesome, gentle nourishment to your everyday wellness.