Bee pollen has been studied by several authors who have identified its macro and micro composition, especially some important secondary metabolites with functional properties. The chemical composition of pollen is mainly characterized by the presence of carbohydrates, proteins, fats and nucleic acids, amino acids, vitamins and minerals, enzymes and co-enzymes, lignin and pigments, which in turn are the only source of food for bees and larvae during their growth stages. Furthermore, pollen also has secondary metabolites like glycosidic flavonoids, quercetin, gallic and p-coumaric acids, rutin, myricetin and catechines, among others, which determine its antioxidant capacity. The objective of this article is to review the literature regarding the macro- and microscopic composition of pollen, and identify the different phenolic compounds that cause its antioxidant activity.