Royal jelly
Summary
Royal jelly is a bee secretion rich in proteins and the fatty acid 10-HDA. A 2026 meta-analysis found improved menopause symptom scores (grade C), a meta-analysis of 5 trials found no effect on blood sugar, and one small trial reported lower cholesterol. It can cause asthma and anaphylaxis in sensitive people.
Key facts
- A protein- and fatty-acid-rich secretion of worker honeybees, standardized to 10-HDA in some products[3]
- 6 studies, 471 women: symptoms improved versus placebo (SMD 0.73 in the 2 poolable trials, 312 women)[1]
- Royal jelly has caused asthma and anaphylaxis; IgE to its proteins was common in people with other allergies[4]
- 3,150 mg a day (nine 350 mg capsules) for 3 months in the cholesterol trial[3]
- 3 graded human outcomes on this page
- October 11, 2026
How it works
ProposedRoyal jelly proteins and 10-HDA show hormone-like and antioxidant effects in lab studies; how they might affect menopause symptoms in people is not established.[1]
What the human research says
Human trials only, one row per outcome. The form column shows what each trial actually tested. Grades follow our evidence-grading policy.
At a glance: strongest evidence per outcome
| Outcome | Grade | Effect | Strongest evidence | Rows |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Healthy aging | Grade C | Improved | Meta-analysis · n = 471 · 2026 | 1 row |
| Metabolic | Grade C | No effect | Meta-analysis · n = 205 · 2019 | 1 row |
| Heart | Grade D | Improved | RCT · n = 40 · 2017 | 1 row |
Every graded row
| Outcome | Effect | Grade | Best evidence | PMID |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Postmenopausal symptoms | Improved | Grade C | Meta-analysis · n = 471 · 2026 Postmenopausal women in 6 studies Form: Royal jelly · Dose: Varied across trials · Duration: Varied Symptoms improved more than with placebo (SMD 0.73, 95% CI 0.50–0.96) in the two poolable trials (312 women), rated moderate-quality evidence. | 41401249 (opens PubMed)Source [1] |
| Fasting glucose and HbA1c | No effect | Grade C | Meta-analysis · n = 205 · 2019 Adults in 5 randomized trials Form: Royal jelly · Dose: Varied across trials · Duration: Varied Fasting glucose (−0.95 mg/dL) and HbA1c (−0.32) did not change significantly. | 31126561 (opens PubMed)Source [2] |
| Total and LDL cholesterol in mild hypercholesterolemia | Improved | Grade D | RCT · n = 40 · 2017 Adults with mild hypercholesterolemia Form: Royal jelly capsules · Dose: 3,150 mg/day · Duration: 3 months Total cholesterol fell from 207 to 183 mg/dL and LDL from 126 to 120 mg/dL in the royal jelly group; no liver or kidney harm was seen. | 27937077 (opens PubMed)Source [3] |
Forms
| Form | Elemental % | Absorption (human data) | GI tolerance | Studied for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fresh or freeze-dried royal jelly (often standardized to 10-HDA) | Varies[3][4] | No head-to-head human absorption data between products in our sources.[3][4] | No liver or kidney harm in the 3-month cholesterol trial; allergic reactions are the main risk.[3][4] | Menopause symptoms, cholesterol |
Studied doses
Doses studied in human trials ranged from 3,150 mg a day for 3 months in the cholesterol trial cited here; the meta-analyses pooled trials with different doses and preparations.[3][1][2]
Interactions
Published interactions only: each row cites a source. No row means none was found in our sources, not that a combination is safe.
None found in our sources.
Who should be careful
- Asthma, eczema or other allergies
- Royal jelly has caused asthma attacks and anaphylaxis, and many people with other allergies had IgE to its proteins.[4]
- Bee product allergy
- Allergic reactions to royal jelly are documented; avoid it if you react to bee products.[4]
- Pregnancy and breastfeeding
- No safety data in pregnancy were found in the sources we cite.[1]
Talk to your pharmacist or clinician before starting a supplement, especially if you take prescription medicines.
Where to buy Royal jelly
Products from brands we partner with that contain Royal jelly. Listing a product is not a claim that it works; check the amount per serving against the doses studied above, and the label for other ingredients.
- SupersmartPaid linkOrganic Royal Jelly (4% 10-HDA)3 capsules: 300 mg freeze-dried organic royal jelly (3:1, standardized to 4% 10-HDA); 30 servingsShop at Supersmart (opens in new tab)Price and label checked 2026-10-11 on the brand’s site.
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Frequently asked questions
Does royal jelly help menopause symptoms?
A 2026 meta-analysis found better symptom scores than placebo, based on two poolable trials.[1]
Does royal jelly lower blood sugar?
A meta-analysis of 5 trials found no effect on fasting glucose or HbA1c.[2]
Can royal jelly cause allergic reactions?
Yes. Asthma and anaphylaxis have been reported, especially in people with other allergies.[4]
How much royal jelly was studied?
The cholesterol trial used 3,150 mg a day for 3 months.[3]
Sources
- [1]Royal jelly for management of postmenopausal symptoms: a systematic review and meta-analysis.. Menopause, 2026. meta-analysis
- [2]Royal jelly does not improve markers of glycemia: A systematic review and meta-analysis of Randomized Clinical Trials.. Complement Ther Med, 2019. meta-analysis
- [3]Hypocholesterolemic efficacy of royal jelly in healthy mild hypercholesterolemic adults.. Pharm Biol, 2017. RCT
- [4]Asthma and anaphylaxis induced by royal jelly.. Clin Exp Allergy, 1996. observational
What changed
- Effect arrows corrected on 1 row(s): outcomes where a harmful measure fell (pain, symptoms, blood pressure, lipids, glucose, risk) now show as improved (up). No study data changed.
- First draft. Every PMID checked against NCBI E-utilities (title, year and journal taken from the PubMed record) and abstracts read for each cited row. Product details in Where to buy read from the brand page on the date shown. Self-reviewed in a second strict pass (no independent reviewer yet).