Nutrition Of Swallow Bird Nest

The Swallow Bird Nest in question are constructed by species of swift birds that live throughout regions of southern Asia. Known as “walet” in Indonesian and Malay languages, these cave swifts have traditionally built their nests on the high walls of massive limestone caves in places like Niah, Gomantong, and Borneo. The male walet work tirelessly during a thirty-five-day period of the breeding season to build their nests entirely from saliva. The glue-like saliva is woven like fiberglass by the birds into small cup-like nests, which dry to be thin and translucent. Harvesters separate the nests into three categories of quality: White nests, also referred to as “white gold,” are the most pure of the three because they lack contaminants like feathers and twigs. These white nests are the first of the season to be picked – once the cave walls are stripped of the white nests, pickers wait for the birds to build new ones so that those too can be harvested. “Yellow” and “black” nests may be the birds’ second or even third attempt, and signify an impure product. It is also suggested that white nests have higher nutritional and medicinal value than the other two varieties.

Swallow Bird Nest from a Clinical Experimental Point of View

According to a recent medical research reported by Hong Kong Chinese University, the cell division enzyme and hormone of Swallow Bird Nest can promote reproduction and rebirth of human cells. The Glycoprotein content directly stimulates cell growth in human’s immune system. As a result, body metabolism is enhanced and functional effects are greatly improved. Effective results of Swallow Bird Nest are observed when they are consumed by children, elders, feedle and sick people.

Nutrition Of Swallow Bird Nest

Swallow Bird Nest from Traditional and Modern Chinese Medication's Point of View.

Swallow Bird Nest is used as restorative and remedial food since the Ching dynasty as recorded in (Major Herbs Guidebook) and (Major Herbs Digest). Previous clinical researches have concluded that Swallow Bird Nest has a (sweet and calm) character. Swallow Bird Nest contributed medical benefits to lung, stomach and kidney neural system. Several ancient medicine books such as (New Major Herbs), (Southern Mountain Chronicle) and (New Herbs Revised) all recorded plenty of detail of Swallow Bird Nest remedial benefits.

Swallow Bird Nest / Edible Birdnnest from a Nutrition Point of View

The main nutrition contents of Swallow Bird Nest are carbohydrate (30%) and protein (5%) although its protein content can be compare to that of milk or eggs. Swallow Bird Nest also contains plenty of calcium and phosphorus, as well as some iron and iodine. There are still some other untraced compositions that may have medical benefits; hence we can not judge its value by the main nutrition contents alone.

Swallow Bird Nest from a Biochemical Point of View

The book (Evaluate Swallow Bird Nest) written by a biochemist has also proven that protein contained in Swallow Bird Nest have some bioactive elements which might have nourishing and replenishing effects on humans body.

Swallow Bird Nest is an excellent restorative food with a sweet and calm character; it is good for any age or gender

Ladies: Frequent consumption result in fairer skin, helps to stay young and look radiant.
Pregnant Women: Consumption during pregnancy will improve immune functions of the fetus and the mothers will be able to recover easily after giving birth.
Elders: Clears phlegm, strengthen lungs and kidneys, improves spleen as well as enhances appetite.
Children: Enhances immune ability, not inclined to get colds or flu
Men: Improves kidney and strengthens lungs, so not inclined to get weak.

Swallow Bird Nest Mythbuster Edition: Cave and House Nest Myths

The Swallow Bird Nest is made from Swallow Bird Nest’s saliva. In the nature, the nest found in dark caves and difficult to reach. But today, people are able to create an artificial habitat. The building is created to be in similar condition with that of the natural cave. There are differences between the cave nest and the house nest. The differences are the texture, the color and the shape of the nest. Of these differences, there are myths that are believed by the people regarding this both types of Swallow Bird Nest. Here are the myths:

Colors

The cave nests have more variety in colors like red, yellow, and white. While the house nest also has red, yellow, gray and white. But, the red nest are more often found in a cave and are rarely found in the house therefore the red nest are most known as cave nest.
The myth is that the cave nests containing rust obtained from cave wall. Color variations are caused by the environment around the nest. As we have explained in the article about the myth of red nest, all nests are originally white and will stay white without any biological trigger. White nest will gradually turns into red color because of the unique climate condition and natural organic activities within the cave.

Nutrition

Other uncertain claim related to nutrition is that cave nest has different nutrient content from that house nest. According to the research by Azilawati Mohd Ismail, et al (2013), showed the similarities in the structure of the amino acid substances contained in both types of swallow nest.

Nitrite

Next is about the content of nitrite, in which the cave nest contains higher nitrite than the house nest. Paydar M (2013) confirmed that nitrite affects the color of the cave nests, dark color implies more nitrite. That means that cave nest contain more nitrite than the house nest. But, the presence of nitrite is caused by environmental factors, not directly derived from the birds. But no need to worry because nitrites are easily gone when rinsed with water.