Bee Limitless Blog

United Nations Environment Programme Releases Report on Global Colony Collapse Disorder

2011-07-04T20:59:58+00:00

The UN has released a report on the global crisis affecting honeybees, Colony Collapse Disorder, and threats to other natual insect pollinators.

The report raises concerns that "a sixth major extinction of biological diversity event is underway...The Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations (FAO) estimates that out of some 100 crop species which provide 90% of food worldwide, 71 of these are bee-pollinated...."

The U.N. report details the declines in honeybee populations around the world linked to CCD, and provides information regaring presumed causes of pollinator decline.

Manuka Honey Can Reverse Antibiotic Resistence

2011-07-03T06:24:25+00:00

According to this article from Medicalxpress.com, a professor at the University of Wales Institute Cardiff in the United Kingdom is researching manuka honey's interactions with three types of bacteria that commonly infest wounds: Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Group A Streptococci and Meticillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA). Her group has found that honey can interfere with the growth of these bacteria in a variety of ways and suggests that honey is effective for treating of drug-resistant wound infections.

The First National Honeybee Awareness Day

2011-05-26T16:44:45+00:00

Finally, we have a secretary of agriculture who gets it. Today, New USDA secretary Tom Vilsack declared that this Saturday, August 22, 2009 is National Honey Bee Awareness Day. Hopefully this is an indication that the USDA is gearing up to help lead the way to fight the devastation of Colony Collapse Disorder and to help Save the Bees.

Read the press release from the United States Department of Agriculture’s Website. Still, it would have been nice to have more than 2 days notice to prepare!

Raw Honey Raises Polyphenolic Antioxidant Levels

2011-05-26T16:44:01+00:00

Studies from the University of California, Davis, reported in March 2004 that daily consumption of raw honey may raise polyphenolic antioxidant levels in blood and reduce the risk of damage by free radicals. A spoonful of honey a day could reduce the risks of some cancers, high blood pressure and stomach infections.

The data from this study suggests that raw honey contains health-boosting compounds, including oligosaccharides - the complex sugars found in raw honeys, which help to stimulate the levels of beneficial bacteria in the colon. Natural honey can contain high concentrations of flavanoids and other anti-oxidants. Other health benefits come from the pollen content, which contains protein and carbohydrates, vitamin C, vitamin E, B-group vitamins and minerals.

Do the Honeybee!

2011-05-26T16:41:28+00:00

This great video, “Do the Honey Bee” was made by the folks at Häagen-Dazs as part of their Help the Honey Bee Campaign. The ice cream company has been one of the few large U.S. companies to really show up big to help save the honey bees, a commitment that grows in part of their recognition of the vital role that honey bees play in pollinating the many fruits and nuts that flavor their ice creams.

Häagen-Dazs has partnered with the University of California at Davis Harry H. Laidlaw Honey Bee Research Facility and with Penn State University to further research in this field, education and outreach, and student training, synergizing the collective activities in sustainable pollination at these institutions. Bee Limitless loves what they are up to (including their delicious Hawaiian Lehua & Sweet Cream ice cream, flavored by the same variety of rare Hawaiin honey as our Organic Ohia-Lehua flower honey , and we love the song!