Many Chinese people eat bird’s nest for its health benefits. However, when I ask my clients what these benefits are, almost all of them are unable to say. Most say bird’s nest is rich in nutrients and minerals, but they do not know how bird’s nest benefits them. So is bird’s nest really as beneficial as believed, or has it been a placebo effect taking place all along?
It is popularly believed that consuming bird’s nest enhances your skin complexion and increases your sexual libido. Many pregnant women consume bird’s nest lavishly during pregnancy, as they believe it is organic and extremely beneficial to their babies.
These are all true.
In fact, some of the other benefits of bird’s nest include the following:
i. Improves digestion
ii. Increases one’s energy
iii. Improves metabolism
iv. Reinforces immunity
v. Aids recovery from cough and cold
vi. Relieves sleep disorders
vii. Alleviates asthma
But why is this so? The reasons for bird’s nests’ health benefits are as follows:
1. Epidermal Growth Factor
Bird’s nest has Epidermal Growth Factor (EGF) in it.
This was discovered by Prof Y.C. Kong and Prof H.S. Kwan from the Chinese University of Hong Kong. They published their results in “yan wo kao” (translated to The Investigation of Swallow Nest) in Mingpao Monthly Vol 231 (May 1935).
EGF stimulates the growth and division of cells in the human body. This causes cell regeneration and tissue growth. It allows the body to repair itself faster. Basically, eating bird’s nest helps restore our bodily organs and tissues to their original healthy state.
This leads to the health benefits stated above.
2. Rich in Protein
Bird’s nest is extremely rich in protein.
100g of dried bird’s nest contains 49.9g of protein. In comparison, 100g of egg yolk only contains 5.4g of protein.
Proteins are essential for the human body. They are involved in virtually every process within our cells. Proteins are required for the formation of new cells.
EGF triggers the body to make new cells to repair our tissues. The large amounts of protein in bird’s nest are the material which our cells are made from. This combines to make bird’s nest extremely effective in promoting cell regeneration. Hence it’s immense health benefits.
3. Cholestrol Free
Lastly, most protein-rich food are high in cholesterol.
Our body produces 1000mg of cholesterol daily to remain healthy. When we eat cholesterol, the body reduces the amount produced. High cholesterol levels leads to heart diseases.
1 roasted chicken drumstick contains 80mg of cholesterol
1 egg yolk contains 213mg of cholesterol
1 T-bone steak (3 oz) contains 272mg of cholesterol
In contrast, bird’s nest contains NO CHOLESTEROL at all.
In summary, bird’s nest is extremely beneficial as it promotes cell regeneration, is rich in protein which is the base material for the formation of cells and has no cholesterol at all.
When you next consume a luxurious bowl of bird’s nest soup, savour the rich goodness safe in knowledge that your bowl of bird’s nest soup is as beneficial as claimed.