Does bee pollen need soaking first?

by Shan
(Dominican Republic)

I have been taking bee pollen for years and attribute my energy in part to this product. I just read the following on another internet site regarding bee pollen and would like to know if you are in agreement:

Bee pollen granules need to be soaked in a tiny amount of cold water just coating the granules for a period of 12 hours before ingesting in order to crack the shells of the individual grains of pollen. (Store the granules in the refrigerator when soaking to keep cool) Bee pollen granules before a soak are not readily digestible and therefore your body will only absorb 2 - 7% Once the bee pollen granules are broken down in a soak of water or juice, it increases the absorption rate to nearly 90%. If soaking is not an option, you can always grind them to make them more easily absorbed.

Angela's Comments:

Hi Shan,
I get asked this question quite often. I am not in agreement as I have yet to be shown any study or science as to how the water/soaking breaks down the outer shell of the pollen (there are no enzymes in water to do this) Nor have I ever found any evidence or science revealing where the so called 2 - 7% absorption comes from? I don't know who did this science to determine this. I don't even know if it exists to be honest. For all I know this could be just someone's opinion. For that reason, I really don't promote pre-soaking bee pollen. I'd be very open to this concept if a reputable study or person could provide me with some hard evidence. Otherwise, as far as I'm concerned, it is an old wives tale!
And I have thousands of satisfied customers who don't soak their pollen to suggest that bee pollen is well absorbed without presoaking....

Hope that helps,
Angela