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Rj4.5
Royal Jelly Research
Likely helps
44 peer-reviewed studies
What the evidence says
Likely helps
Royal Jelly appears to help in 5 of 7 studies with measurable effects — the evidence leans clearly favourable.
Most evidence is from high-quality meta-analyses and randomised trials published 2007–2026 with a typical study size of 72 participants.
Based on 44 studies · 4 meta-analyses · 27 RCTs · 5,647 total participants
Confidence
High confidence
What the studies found
5helped2unclear· 37 more without graded effect data
Users of apitherapeutic products, particularly atopic individuals1
Breast cancer patients1
Active research area
21 studies in the last 5 years · Latest meta-analysis: 2026
200720162026
1Meta-AnalysisCited 1×n=3,544 · very large study2025
This meta-analysis examined the effects of Propolis.
Norouzzadeh M et al. · Nutrition & diabetes (2025)
Propolis demonstrated reductions in anthropometric measures and improvements in lipid profile, glycemic control, liver enzymes, and inflammation and oxidative stress markers.
While long-term or high-dose honey consumption in individuals with health concerns warrants caution, RJ and propolis demonstrated dose-dependent benefits for cardiometabolic health with proper certainty.
Future research should focus on population-specific characteristics and optimized dosages.
Rocha Filho LKA et al. · Archives of toxicology (2026)
Allergic responses were the most prevalent type of adverse event, particularly among atopic individuals.
These findings highlight the need for appropriate labeling, post-marketing surveillance, and educational campaigns to ensure the safe use of these products.
It is concluded that despite their recognized benefits, apitherapeutic products must be used with caution, and the strengthening of pharmacovigilance systems is essential to safeguard public health.
The large discrepancies and number of different recommendations demonstrate that apitherapy is not a consistent type of medicine.
Münstedt K et al. · Allergologia et immunopathologia (2020)
No clear effect
← WorseNo effectBetter →
Only 38.8% of the apitherapy books mentioned seasonal allergic rhinitis.
The most reasonable recommendation according to clinical studies on the subject, namely the use of a mix of honey and pollen, was only found once (0.8%).
The large discrepancies and number of different recommendations demonstrate that apitherapy is not a consistent type of medicine.
Conclusions: Palifermin, Chlorhexidine, Smecta, Actovegin, Kangfuxin, L. brevis lozenges, Royal jelly, Zync supplement, Benzydamine, cryotherapy, laser therapy and professional oral hygiene may be used in oral mucositis treatment and prevention.
Daugėlaitė G et al. · Medicina (Kaunas, Lithuania) (2019)
It occurs in almost all patients, who receive radiation therapy of the head and neck area and from 20% to 80% of patients who receive chemotherapy.
Preferred reporting items for systematic reviews and meta-analysis (PRISMA) protocol was followed while planning, providing objectives, selecting studies and analyzing data for this systematic review. "MEDLINE" and "PubMed Central" databases were used to search eligible clinical trials.
Clinical trials researching medication, oral hygiene, cryotherapy or laser therapy efficiency in treatment or/and prevention of oral mucositis were included in this systematic review.
Seven studies showed a significant reduction in FBS, and one reported HbA1c decrease following royal jelly supplementation.
Maleki V et al. · Complementary therapies in medicine (2019)
Seven studies showed a significant reduction in FBS, and one reported HbA1c decrease following royal jelly supplementation.
Although royal jelly supplementation resulted in significant reductions in HOM A-I R in three studies, the findings on insulin levels were controversial.
In addition, royal jelly resulted in a decrease oxidative stress indicators and increase antioxidant enzymes levels.
Additionally, we discuss royal jelly's composition as a possible therapeutic for vital natural sources of bioactive substances.
Alu'datt MH, Al-U'datt D, Rababah T, Gammoh S, Alrosan M, Bani-Melhem K, Al-Widyan Y, Kubow S, AbuJalban D, Al Khateeb W, Abubaker M. · Critical reviews in food science and nutrition (2025)
Apisin is one of the main proteins in royal jelly that has antibacterial properties.
Other bioactive ingredients of royal jelly that have multifunctional health-promoting properties include defensin-1, royalisin, apisimin, apidaecin, jelleins, royalactin and 10-hydroxy-2-decenoic acid (10HDA) in epigenetic diseases.
This review highlights the important role that royal jelly plays as an agent in various fields of medicine, paying special attention to its biological features.
10athletic performance and blood lactate levelsSystematic Reviewn=97 · small study2024
However, the influence of royal jelly on athletes' body composition measurements remains inconclusive, highlighting the need for further research.
Pasdar Y, Tadibi V, Sadeghi E, Najafi F, Miryan M. · Preventive nutrition and food science (2024)
We meticulously selected nine studies from an initial pool of 97 studies up to June 2024.
Our findings will provide evidence supporting the beneficial effects of royal jelly in reducing blood lactate levels and enhancing athletic performance.
Additionally, royal jelly does not affect muscle damage or its associated markers.
The findings suggest that RJ may help decrease oxidative stress and improve motor function and anti-oxidant capacity in MS patients, potentially slowing disease progression.
Eslamifar Z et al. · Irish journal of medical science (2025)
Results indicated that the RJ group experienced a significant reduction in EDSS scores (P < 0.001) and MDA levels (P < 0.0001).
The findings suggest that RJ may help decrease oxidative stress and improve motor function and anti-oxidant capacity in MS patients, potentially slowing disease progression.
12Vascular endothelial function (RH-PAT index)RCTCited 11×n=100 · medium study2022
Royal jelly might have antiatherogenic property by improving vascular endothelial function.
Fujisue K et al. · Journal of atherosclerosis and thrombosis (2022)
Large benefit
← WorseNo effectBetter →
Likely real
The mean age of the participants was 35.0±9.3 years in the placebo group and 36.1±9.1 years in the royal jelly groups; 45% and 50% of the placebo and the royal jelly groups, respectively, were male.
The percentage relative change in the RH-PAT index was significantly higher in the royal jelly group than in the placebo group (21.4%±53.1% vs. 0.05%±40.9%, P=0.037).
Royal jelly might have antiatherogenic property by improving vascular endothelial function.
13Handgrip strengthRCTCited 19×n=163 · medium study2017
In addition, we have not found that pRJ intervention can achieve improvement or attenuating the decrease in physical performance.
Meng G et al. · Scientific reports (2017)
No clear effect
← WorseNo effectBetter →
Borderline
The dropout rate was 16.0%.
The means (95% confidence interval) of change in handgrip strength for placebo, low-dose, and high-dose groups are -0.98(-2.04,0.08), 0.50(-0.65,1.65) and 1.03(-0.37,2.44) kg (P = 0.06, P for trend = 0.02), respectively.
No significant effects of the interventions were observed for physical performances.
As a result, the study results demonstrate that royal jelly administrated by a certain procedure improved the signs and symptoms of oral mucositis and markedly shortened its healing time.
Erdem O et al. · Holistic nursing practice (2014)
All patients received mouthwash therapy with benzydamine hydrochloride and nystatin rinses.
In addition, patients in the experimental group received royal jelly.
The mean resolution time of oral mucositis in the royal jelly group was significantly shorter than that of the control group.
Lady 4 may be beneficial in the treatment of menopausal syndrome and can be used as a safe natural promoter of health and well-being in women during the menopausal transition.
Yakoot M et al. · Forschende Komplementarmedizin (2006) (2011)
Lady 4 may be beneficial in the treatment of menopausal syndrome and can be used as a safe natural promoter of health and well-being in women during the menopausal transition.
17Cardiovascular parametersRCTCited 13×n=100 · medium study2018
Subjects who received Honey Cocktail showed remarkable effects on body mass index.
Ab Wahab SZ et al. · Complementary therapies in medicine (2018)
Noticeable benefit
← WorseNo effectBetter →
Likely real
There was a significant decrease in the diastolic blood pressure from 77.92 mmHg at baseline to 73.45 mmHg at 12 months (F-statistic = 2.55, p-value = 0.047) in the Tualang Honey group compared to Honey Cocktail.
There was also a significant decrease in the fasting blood sugar from 6.11 mmol/L at baseline to 5.71 mmol/L at 12 months (F-statistic = 4.03, p-value = 0.021) in the Tualang Honey group compared to the Honey Cocktail group.
Subjects who received Honey Cocktail showed remarkable effects on body mass index.
These data suggest that RJ intake may have desirable effects on serum glucose, Apo-A-I concentrations and ApoB/ApoA-I ratios in people with type 2 diabetes.
Khoshpey B et al. · Canadian journal of diabetes (2016)
Noticeable benefit
← WorseNo effectBetter →
Likely real
The mean difference in glucose concentrations decreased in the RJ group (-9.4 mg/dL vs. 4 mg/dL; p=0.011).
The mean difference in ApoA-I concentrations increased in the RJ group (34.4 mg/dL vs. -1.08 mg/dL; p=0.013).
There was a significant decrease in mean difference of ApoB/ApoA-I in the RJ group compared with the placebo group (0.008 vs. 0.13; p<0.044), respectively.
Apitherapy with RJ + GP EPP-AF® extract significantly reduced plasma IL-6 and total cholesterol in HD patients.
Kemp JA et al. · Toxins (2025)
After 2 months, the treated group showed a significant reduction in plasma levels of IL-6 (0.78 to 0.63 pg/mL, p = 0.008) and total cholesterol (138.60 to 111.85 mg/dL, p = 0.03), whereas no changes were observed in the placebo group.
Apitherapy with RJ + GP EPP-AF® extract significantly reduced plasma IL-6 and total cholesterol in HD patients.
This supplementation shows promise as a non-pharmacological strategy to reduce cardiovascular risk markers in this population.
However, in order to obtain more accurate scientific evidence, it is necessary to investigate more doses and timing of royal jelly in future studies.
Askari R et al. · Medicina (Kaunas, Lithuania) (2025)
The results show a significant increase in PON1 (p = 0.008) and HDL (p = 0.005) in the exercise + supplement group compared to the exercise + placebo group.
But significant decreases in oxLDL (p = 0.031), TC (p = 0.045), TG (p = 0.013), LDL (p = 0.027), ALT (p = 0.015) and AST (p = 0.009) were observed in the exercise + supplement group compared to the exercise + placebo group (<0.05).
The results show a significant increase in PON1 (p = 0.008) and HDL (p = 0.005) in the exercise + supplement group compared to the exercise + placebo group.