Cave Birdnest Buliding - Interesting

Bird nest consumption is suitable for all ages

The content of bird nest: It is said that the Chinese have been eating birds nest soup for some 400 years, in fact some reports even dated back 1,000 years ago to Tang Dynasty in China.

Edible bird’s nests are glycoprotein with properties of protein as well as of carbohydrate. The total protein content is about 65%, carbohydrate of about 20% and 0.35% of fat. Other minerals present are calcium, magnesium, and iron. Amino acids isolated from birds’ nests consist of amide, humin, arginine, cystine, histidine and lysine. The total content of mono amino acids is about 6%.

Health benefits of edible bird's nest consumption: bird nest consumption is suitable for all ages.

Bird nest is very low in calory and fat, only about 0.35%. But bird nest contain epidermic growth factor (EGF), which can stimulate the regeneration of cells, the cell division enzyme & hormone and promote reproduction and rebirth of cells. It’s this reason that consumption of bird nest is particularly good for pregnant lady before & after birth, young children, and those who undergo medical surgery.

It enhance the resistance of an individual to X-irradiated damage and rejuvenate the complexion, smoothes the skin and maintain youthfulness. A regular diet of bird's nest can help alleviate the trachea, smooth breathing, benefit the control of asthma, expel phlegm, recover vital energy and extend longevity. It is particularly effective to those who have sleep disorders, bronchitis, coughs or hangovers. Bird's nests also show obvious therapeutic effects to help moisturize and replenish the lung and clear away intestinal heat. Moreover, natural edible bird nest can enhance immune system, prevent cancer and other health benefits as follow:

1. Bird's nest help regulate the function of the endocrine system as well as other body functions. It strengthen the body, moisturize the skin, maintain beauty, provide energy and enhance the metabolism of fat. The bird's nests are adaptable for either sex or any age group;

2. latest medical research indicates bird nest contains antioxidant and can slow down ageing process – radiant skin complexion & prevent the effects of aging;

3. Strengthens the kidney and lung. Invigorate the body;

4. People, who are highly stressed and are busy in study and work can alleviate tiredness, relieve spiritual pressure and recover body strength;

5. Excellence health tonic for pregnant ladies in the last 3 months of pregnancy before birth. Not only is good for mother, it’s also good for baby too, who will be healthier and have better skin complexion. Taking bird nest will help after birth recovery;

6. Strengthen the heart and lower blood pressure;

7. Lower blood cholesterol level, help to reduce stroke, blockage;

8. Bird's nests are also beneficial to people who have just recovered from illness, who are old and weak, who suffer from asthma and who are always catching the cold or influenza. Relieves cough and phlegm. Strengthens internal organs and improves appetite.

What is Bird's Nest Soup.

Bird's nest soup or 燕 窝is a traditional Chinese delicacy made from the nest of the swiftlet, a tropical bird which is found in many parts of Asia, including China and Thailand. The unique ingredient in this soup is believed to increases longevity, and as a result, this dish is in high demand in some parts of China. The bird's nests used in the soup can be quite expensive, and the dish is typically served only at exclusive restaurants.

Swiftlets are birds in the family Apodidae. Several species within this family are able to use echolocation, which allows them to nest and breed in caves. These species produce a unique gummy saliva, which they use to build their nests; they lay down strands of saliva which harden when exposed to air, creating a solid nest. Harvesters enter the caves, retrieve the nests, clean them, and then offer them for sale.

To make bird's nest soup, the nest is simmered in chicken stock. The result is a broth with floating chunks of the nest; the chunks have a distinctive gelatinous texture when cooked which is not to the taste of all consumers. The soup is usually lightly seasoned, if at all, and some people actually find it rather bland. It is the exotic ingredient which makes the soup popular, rather than an amazing flavor.

There are some serious ecological issues associated with bird's nest soup. Many companies which harvest nests engage in unscrupulous practices like harvesting nests too quickly for the birds to breed, and some have been accused of establishing private armies to protect particularly fruitful caves. Some companies also destroy nests from the wrong species of bird to encourage the growth of a colony which will produce usable nests, thereby putting other swiftlet species at risk. Overall populations of these birds have declined in Asia, possibly as a result of the growing market pressure for bird's nest soup.

Nests for making bird's nest soup can be obtained in Asian markets, where they are usually secured behind a counter due to their high cost. It is also possible to make the soup with vegetarian meat substitutes, some of which can very closely approximate the texture of swiftlet's nest, although they lack the perceived aphrodisiac benefits.

Health Benefits of Swiftlet Nest (Bird's Nest)

Birds’ 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.

Birds’ 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 birds’ nest is approximately 6 percent. Amino acids isolated from birds’ 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.

Birds’ nest is regarded as having a wide range of tonic and medical values. Traditionally, it is believed that birds’ 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 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 Bird's nest contains elements which can stimulate cell growth and especially beneficial to elderly recovering from various body ailments. Birds’ 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 bird nests would have a baby with fine and smooth complexion.

Chinese has been consuming bird's nest for hundreds of years and most of them believe that Bird's 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.

Research has also found that bird's nest contains the epidermal growth factor. This helps explain why Chinese herbalists often prescribe bird's nest to people who fail to thrive or grow for no apparent reason. Independent laboratory investigation has also revealed that bird's nest contains a water-soluble glyco-protein that promotes cell division within the immune system. These findings lend support to the belief that bird's nest promotes growth and tissue repair. Not only that, bird's 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 bird’s nest a valuable commodity indeed. Consumers of bird's nest soup 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.