| Grade | Outcome | Effect | Size | Studies | People | Studies list |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Blood Pressure No effect | NoneNo effect | 1,082 people | ||||
| Body Fat No effect | NoneNo effect | 1,082 people | ||||
| Weight | Improves (the measure goes down) | 1 study | 1,082 people | |||
| Body Mass Index (BMI) | Improves (the measure goes down) | 1,082 people | ||||
| Hip Circumference | Improves (the measure goes down) | 1,082 people | ||||
| Waist circumference | Improves (the measure goes down) | 1,082 people | ||||
| Waist-Hip Ratio | Improves (the measure goes up) | 1,082 people | ||||
Supplement
Propolis is a resin bees make from plant sap and wax to seal their hives, and it has antiviral and antimicrobial properties. People mostly look at it for cold sores, but the evidence there is limited, and little research has shown clear results so far. The best-supported finding lies elsewhere: a review of over 1,000 adults found blood glucose improved, while blood pressure and body fat showed no clear difference.
Sources: PMID 39097520
- Updated
- How we grade
- 3 studies cited
- Best evidence
- Grade B
- Conditions studied
- 3
- Outcomes
- 13
- Graded outcomes
- 0102
Evidence by condition
- Strong
- Moderate
- Limited
- Very limited
| Grade | Outcome | Effect | Size | Studies | People | Studies list |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Blood glucose Small Improvement | Improves (the measure goes down) | Small effect | 1 study | 1,072 people | ||
| HbA1c | Improves (the measure goes down) | 1,072 people | ||||
| Insulin | Changes; see studies | 1,072 people | ||||
| Insulin Resistance | Improves (the measure goes down) | 1,072 people | ||||
| Liver Enzymes | Changes; see studies | 1,072 people | ||||
| Grade | Outcome | Effect | Size | Studies | People | Studies list |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cold Sore Symptom Duration | Improves (the measure goes up) | 1 study | 839 people | |||
Studies that measured cold sore symptom duration | ||||||
Key findings
- Blood glucoseImproves (the measure goes down)
- Blood Pressure
- Body Fat
Shop the evidence-backed picks
Third-party tested Propolis products, in the forms the graded studies used where we can match them.
- Grade B
Links to Fullscript, iHerb or Thorne carry our referral, so we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. Grades come from the research and never change based on what we earn. Fullscript asks for a free account before it shows its catalog and prices. Full disclosure
Studies cited
3 studies from PubMed
- Effects of Propolis Consumption on Glycemic Indices and Liver Enzymes in Adults: A Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development, and valuation-assessed Systematic Review and Dose-Response Meta-analysis.
- The Effects of Propolis Consumption on Body Composition and Blood Pressure: A Systematic Review and Dose-Response Meta-Analysis.
- Effect of honey and propolis, compared to acyclovir, against Herpes Simplex Virus (HSV)-induced lesions: A systematic review and meta-analysis.