Bamboo has been an Indian household name for time immemorial. From using bamboo to decorate your space to using bamboo-made straws, water bottles, andcontainers, you might be using bamboo in different forms and for different purposes. But have you ever added bamboo to your diet? If not, now is the time.
Bamboo has an edible part called bamboo shoot that is available in fresh, fermented, and canned forms. Bamboo shoots have a rich nutritional profile with an earthy, sweet, and crunchy taste.
In this blog, we will take you through the 7 health benefits of eating bamboo shoots. Let’s start with the fundamentals of bamboo before delving into the nutritional profile and health benefits of bamboo shoots.
Table of Contents
#1 Geographical Distribution of Bamboo#2 Health Benefits of Bamboo Shoots
Geographical Distribution of Bamboo
India is the world’s second-largest cultivator of bamboo, after China. In India, you can find more than 125 bamboo species. You can find bamboos all around the country, except in Kashmir. Do you know that northeast India accounts for almost 50% of the bamboo species? To your surprise, Assam produces the maximum amount of bamboo in India.
Popularly known as “green gold” in India, bamboo production is largely governed by factors like rainfall, temperature, altitude, and soil. For good growth and quality, bamboo requires a temperature ranging from 8 degrees Celsius to 36 degrees Celsius, a minimum annual rainfall of 1000 mm, and high humidity. Bamboo shoots grow without the application of fertilizers.
Furthermore, well-drained sandy-loam and clay-loam soils are best suited for bamboo farming, and the soil pH should be anywhere between 4.5 – 6.0 for the overall well-being of bamboo grass. To your surprise, bamboo farming can’t take place in rocky, course soils. Without any further delay, let’s dive into the bamboo shoots’ benefits.
At NE Origins, bamboo shoot pickle is procured from Manipur-based Meira Food, which is an all-women run company.
7 Health Benefits of Bamboo Shoots
Bamboo shoots have found their mentions in many ancient traditional medicine texts as ‘The Poor Man’s Timber’, for its medicinal properties. Bamboo shoots are packed with proteins, antioxidants, fibre, carbohydrates, and minerals. Moreover, they are low in fat, sugar, and calories. They are free from residual toxicity.
- Heart Care
Cardiologists recommend eating bamboo shoots on a daily basis to protect the heart from numerous cardiac illnesses. Bamboo shoots are high in phytosterols and phytonutrients that help in cleaning congested arteries and dissolve harmful or LDL cholesterol. - Improve Immunity
Post COVID, we all realised the importance of building immunity to fight deadly diseases. Eating bamboo shoots is one of the best natural ways to strengthen your immunity. They are high in vitamins and minerals. Consuming these during the monsoon and winter seasons helps in avoiding viral and bacterial diseases. - Improve Skin Health
Are you still struggling with skin problems even after consulting many dermatologists and taking every chemical-based solution? Get rid of your skin problems naturally with bamboo shoots that have a high silica content.
Silica raises tissue levels of hydroxyproline, an essential amino acid for collagen and elastin formation. Furthermore, collagen formation promotes skin hydration, smoothness, and brightness.
- Promote Weight Loss
Complement your fitness regime with a bamboo shoot rich diet that supports your efforts to lose weight.
Do you know, in every 100 grams of bamboo shoot, the calorie count does not exceed 20 calories? Moreover, the carbohydrate amounts to only 3–4 grams per 100-gram serving. Thus, eating bamboo shoots helps with weight loss.
- Manage Blood Sugar Levels
The list of bamboo shoot health benefits is incomplete without mentioning its important role in keeping the blood sugar level under control. The glycemic index (GI) of bamboo shoots equals to 15, furthermore, they are high in fibre and have a low-fat content, hence they are extremely advantageous for diabetic patients. - Relief from Constipation
Unhealthy eating habits and a poor lifestyle often lead to digestive health issues, of which the most common is constipation. Constipation interferes with your normal day-to-day activities. Eating bamboo shoots is the best natural cure for constipation.
100gm of bamboo shoots contain 2.2 g of dietary fibre. Thus, consuming bamboo shoots may improve good digestion and smooth bowel motions due to their high fibre content.
- Promote Stronger Bones
Another bamboo shoot benefit includes the prevention of bone diseases such as osteoporosis in the later stages of life. Bamboo shoots are rich in calcium and manganese, which increase bone density and strength. Furthermore, they include a lot of vitamin C, which aids in the absorption of other critical minerals for bone health.From eating bamboo shoot pickles to making curry, bamboo shoots can be eaten in a variety of ways. Click here to know the 3 popular bamboo shoot recipes.
Conclusion
The rich nutritional profile and numerous health benefits of bamboo shoots are attracting the attention of many health advocates and health-conscious people. From aiding weight loss to promoting cardiovascular health and boosting the immune system, bamboo shoots have a hidden cure to treat many modern diseases. At NE Origins, bamboo shoot pickle is procured from Manipur-based Meira Food, which is an all-women run company. Order our high-quality Manipur-origin bamboo shoot pickle online today.
