Health Benefits of Swallow Bird Nest

Swallow Bird Nest has been used for a long time in traditional Chinese medicine for many centuries. It is classified as a cold food or “ying” according to the Chinese food concept.

Swallow Bird Nest is mostly composed of water-soluble protein that is easily absorbed by human body. The total protein content is about 65 percent. The other constituents are moisture (~ 10%), traces of fat (~23.3%), and carbohydrate (~0.8%). Other minerals present are calcium and iron. The total content of Amino acid in Swallow Bird Nest is approximately 6 percent. Amino acids isolated from Swallow Bird Nest consist of amide, humin, arginine, cystine, histidine, and lysine. It is possible that when taken with other certain foods through a cooking process,such as ginseng (as a hot food or “yang”), may have high nutritive and therapeutic value to human body.

Health Benefits of Swallow Bird Nest

Consumption of Swallow Bird Nest is also recommended to complement other treatments to combat degenerative diseases such as cancer and also for recovering health after illness, or surgery.

Swallow Bird Nest is regarded as having a wide range of tonic and medical values. Traditionally, it is believed that Swallow Bird Nest can strengthen the lungs and use in the curing and strengthening of body in diseases related to weak blood, body overheat, and other bronchion ailments. Consumption of Swallow Bird Nest is also recommended to complement other treatments to combat degenerative diseases such as cancer and also for recovering health after illness, or surgery.

It is also claimed that Swallow Bird Nest contains elements which can stimulate cell growth and especially beneficial to elderly recovering from various body ailments.

Swallow Bird Nest is especially valued by ladies for its reported properties of making the skin delicate and growing radiantly. It is also mentioned that an expectant mother consuming Swallow Bird Nest would have a baby with fine and smooth complexion.
Chinese has been consuming Swallow Bird Nest for hundreds of years and most of them believe that Swallow Bird Nest consists of several proteins and minerals that help develop the generation and growth of human cells, rejuvenates the human skin and increases the immune system.

High demand.

Research has also found that Swallow Bird Nest contains the epidermal growth factor. This helps explain why Chinese herbalists often prescribe Swallow Bird Nest to people who fail to thrive or grow for no apparent reason. Independent laboratory investigation has also revealed that Swallow Bird Nest contains a water-soluble glyco-protein that promotes cell division within the immune system. These findings lend support to the belief that Swallow Bird Nest promotes growth and tissue repair. Not only that, Swallow Bird Nest strengthens the body's self-regulating actions and provides resistance to disease. Because of its function, a symbol of wealth as well as the scarcity of the goods, it makes Swallow Bird Nest a valuable commodity indeed. Consumers of Swallow Bird Nest swear by their efficacy in its many curing properties, namely healing illnesses connected to the respiratory system like cough, asthma or throat infection and thus its high demand.

Getting to know Swallow Bird Nest

What is Swallow Bird Nest?

Swallow Bird Nest, or Swallow Bird Nest, or simply “Swallow Bird Nest”, is an organic, animal product consumed by humans as a food item for health and as a delicacy. In China, it has been consumed for over 1,200 years.

Where do Swallow Bird Nest come from?

A bird commonly referred to as the Swallow Bird Nest (Aerodramus fuciphagus) is the only species of bird that constructs nests for its young by weaving together a series of glutinous strands from its saliva glands. This nest becomes the place for the eggs to be nurtured,and to hatch into young birds. Once the young birds learn to fly, the nest is abandoned, and afterwards left to decay or be consumed by other animals, if not harvested by humans.
A nest is typically 8-12gr in weight, is dry, and has the appearance of half a tea cup. After cooking and when ready for consumption, Swallow Bird Nest becomes soft and stringy, gelatin-like, clear in color, and has a unique aroma and taste.

Why do humans eat Swallow Bird Nest?

Swallow Bird Nest contains exceptional nutritional and healing qualities, ranging from anti-aging to anti-cancer to raising libido and overall immune-enhancing effects. Most easy to see, however, is its immediate ability to improve skin complexion and overall youthfulness, and as a result, is often sought-after by women wanting to stay young and beautiful.
Furthermore, it has a unique taste, aroma, and texture, which makes it one of the most expensive organic foods on earth. In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), it ranks in the top 8 most valuable, most health-beneficial foods for humans.

What is in Swallow Bird Nest?

Mineral salts, amino acids (aspartic acid, glutamic acid, praline, theoline, valine), carbohydrates (sialic acid), and glycoprotein. Glycoprotein is the most abundant constituent in Swallow Bird Nest. Other constittuents include glucosamine, which can help in the treatment and prevention of osteoarthritis.
Swallow Bird Nest also contains collagen, ash and a small quantity of lipids (naturally occurring molecules). Research has concluded that Swallow Bird Nest contains substances that can stimulate cell division and growth (EGF), enhance tissue growth and regeneration, and can inhibit influenza infections.

Cooking Tips And Nutrition Table

Since some of the nutrients in Swallow Bird Nest are water soluble and sensitive to extreme heat, it is necessary to observe some of the general guidelines below in order to obtain the maximum benefits derived from the consumption of the nests. As a rule, do not double cook the house nests for more than 60 minutes as this will result in the nest glyco-protein disintegrating into fluid media. Super and first grade-processed cave nests should only be cooked for 120 minutes in order to retain the flavor and taste. Never boil Swallow Bird Nest in heat higher than 100 Degrees Celsius, or it may cause damage to the protein stored inside the nest.

Who are the suppliers of Swallow Bird Nest in the world?

As this species of birds only inhabit coastal regions of S.E Asia, top producers and exporters include Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand, Philippines, and Vietnam.
A portion of natural Swallow Bird Nest comes from coastal caves, but a large percentage come from man-made birdhouses.
Seeking and identifying a good supplier is difficult, and verifying cave Swallow Bird Nest from house Swallow Bird Nest is even more difficult.
What is the difference between nests from caves and nests from birdhouses?
A general misconception is that birds at birdhouses are “farmed” – bred and fed. This is only true for a very small number of trial farms. The large majority, however, are simply structures that mimic the natural cave environment, creating a place where birds freely come and go at their own will, and to make nests and lay eggs.
The birds are generally the same, the nest-making process is the same, and the nutritional value in the nests is the same, except for a slight variation in mineral salts, which are more abundant in cave nests as a result of the surrounding environment.
Cave nests have more texture when consumed but are less soluble and harder to digest than house nests, as a result of higher mineral salts content.