Health Benefits of Bamboo Shoots

The health benefits of bamboo shoots include healthy weight loss, control of bad cholesterol, strengthening of the immune system, possible cancer-fighting properties and anti-inflammatory properties. It is heart friendly, contains protein, a sufficient supply of vitamins and minerals and a negligible amount of fat. It also contains a significant amount of dietary fiber.

What are Bamboo Shoots?

Bamboo shoots are the sprouts which spring out beside the bamboo plant. These sprouts or shoots are edible and they belong to the Bambusoideae subfamily of grass. They are the largest and tallest in the grass family. Bamboo is also known to be one of the fastest growing plants in the world. The fastest growing species of bamboo is Chinese Moso. It reportedly grows up to 100 cm per day.

Some of the bamboo species whose sprouts are harvested include phyllostachys edulis, winter shoots, ‘hairy’ shoots, phyllostachys bambusoides, dendrocalamus latiflorus, bambusa vulgaris, bambusa oldhamii, andbambusa odashimae.

Every part of the bamboo plant is put to use by Asian cultures and various ethnic groups. Bamboo is used for various other purposes ranging from construction, support for buildings, simple housing, bamboo furniture, musical instruments such as flutes, dizi, xiao, shakuhachi, and in paper production. Thus, bamboo is one of the most utilized and versatile plants on the planet.

Apart from these many uses, bamboos shoots are also consumed in many Asian countries such as China, Korea, Japan, Taiwan, Thailand, Philippines, Indonesia, Nepal and India. One can find evidence in old Chinese literature dating back to the Tang dynasty (618 AD- 907 AD), about the benefits of eating bamboo shoots. This was perhaps the first written record about bamboo shoots in human history. Another important scripture dating back to the Ming dynasty (1368 AD to 1644 AD) also mentioned the medicinal and other benefits of bamboo shoots. In Japan, bamboo shoots are considered as the “King of Forest Vegetables”. There are many bamboo species which sprout shoots, but only a handful of them are actually cultivated and consumed.

Bamboo shoots are available in either fresh or canned varieties. Fresh bamboo shoots can last for up to two weeks when they are properly refrigerated and away from sunlight or else the shoots will develop a bitter taste. On the other hand, canned versions can be stored for a long time. It is recommended to cook them as quickly as possible when eating them fresh. However, before cooking fresh bamboo shoots, it is highly recommended to boil them partially or soak them in water overnight, as some species may contain cyanide, which can be eliminated by either of these processes.

Nutritional Value of Bamboo Shoots

According to a study conducted by Nirmala Chongtham, Madho Singh Bhisht and Sheena Haorongbam from Punjab University in Chandigarh, India, bamboo shoots are rich in various nutrients.

Low Caloric Content: A 100 gram serving of bamboo shoots contains only 20 calories. Also, the carbohydrates found in bamboo shoots do not amount to more than 3-4 grams per 100 gram serving.

Low Sugar Content: The amount of sugar found in bamboo shoots is about 2.5 grams per 100 gram serving. This is less than the  amount of sugar found in many fruits and vegetables.

Negligible Amount of Fat: A serving of 100 grams of bamboo shoots contains less than 0.49 grams of fat. This fat consists of both saturated and unsaturated fats. Unsaturated fats are needed by the body and they can control the spread of bad LDL cholesterol throughout the body.

Source of Protein: A 100 gram serving of bamboo shoots would have about 2 to 2.5 grams of protein. The proteins found in bamboo consists of seventeen essential amino acids and two semi-essential amino acids.

Vitamins and Minerals in Bamboo Shoots: Bamboo shoots contain vitamins such as vitamin A, vitamin B6, vitamin E, thiamin, riboflavin, niacin, folate and pantothenic acid. Minerals found in bamboo shoots include calcium, magnesium, phosphorous, potassium, sodium, zinc, copper, manganese, selenium and iron.

High in Dietary Fiber: Bamboo shoots are high in dietary fiber. The amount of dietary fiber contained in bamboo shoots make up 6-8 grams out of a 100 gram serving.

Appetizing effects: Bamboo shoots contain high cellulosic material which stimulates the appetite. The taste and texture of the bamboo shoots also make them a good appetizer.

Health Benefits of Bamboo Shoots

Bamboo shoots are an exotic food that is consumed in many countries in Asia and now it is slowly growing in demand from western countries. Bamboo shoots are known for their various health benefits, including those explained in greater detail below.

Helps in Losing Weight: Bamboo shoots are weight loss-friendly. When we look at the amount of calories, carbohydrates and sugars contained in bamboo shoots, it is shocking to find that their presence is almost negligible. This makes it an ideal food for people who want to lose weight, but also who want their stomachs to be full.

Heart Health: According to research studies, phytosterols and phytonutrients found in bamboo shoots are ideal for dissolving harmful LDL cholesterol in the body. This eases cholesterol out of arteries for the smooth supply and movement of blood throughout the body.

Controls Cholesterol: Consumption of bamboo shoots is also helpful in decreasing LDL levels of cholesterol, with stable glucose levels. This is due to the fact that bamboo shoots contain negligible amounts of fat and very low calories. Research conducted by Park and Jhon at Washington State University showed that the consumption of bamboo shoots  had favorable effects on cholesterol, lipids and bowel function.

Fights Cancer: Research studies conducted on bamboo shoots have indicated that leaves of bamboo shoots consist of phytosterols such as flavone, amylase and chlorophyll. Out of these, chlorophyll showed properties of controlling mutations and cancer.

Strengthens the Immune System: The vitamins and minerals in bamboo shoots are ideal for improving the body’s immune system. The vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants present in bamboo shoots are essential for strengthening the body from the inside out.

High Supply of Dietary Fiber: The amount of dietary fiber in bamboo shoots is high. Consuming sufficient amounts of dietary fiber is essential for easy digestion and healthy bowel movements. Including bamboo shoots in your meals can be a very good idea for losing weight as well. With lack of any physical activity during the night time, taking food with less calories and high fiber helps lose weight easily, even while you sleep!

Anti-Inflammatory Properties: According to research conducted by Muniappan and Sundararaj, bamboo shoots possess anti-inflammatory and analgesic (pain-killing) properties. It helps in the healing of ulcers as well. Juice from bamboo shoots can also be used as a medicine for external wounds and ulcers.

Respiratory Disorders:Bamboo shoots have been known to be effective against respiratory disorders. A decoction of the shoots can be prepared by boiling the shoots twice. The first boil should be for 5 minutes followed by a second boil for about 10 minutes. The decoction can be taken along with honey for the best effect.

Possible Cure for Poisoning: In Ayurvedic medicine, the ancient Indian science of medicine and lifestyle, it is believed that bamboo extracts contain anti-venomous properties. They are useful in cases of both snake and scorpion bites.

Uterotonic Properties:Traditional Chinese medicine believes that bamboo shoots can cause uterine contractions. It is used as a medicinal supplement during the last month of pregnancy when the delivery date is still pending. According to the research papersubmitted by Gruber and O’Brien at the University of Vienna, bamboo is one of the many plants which have been listed among uterotonic plants.

Stomach Disorders: Bamboo shoots are useful in treating stomach disorders. Apart from bamboo shoots, bamboo leaves are also suggested as a remedy for intestinal worms and stomach disorders as well.

Wound Cleaning: Bamboo shoots are also used for cleaning wounds and sores.

Lowers Blood Pressure: Bamboo shoots contain high amounts of potassium. Potassium is highly beneficial as an electrolyte and is also very good for lowering and maintaining blood pressure.

With all of these benefits from bamboo shoots, they are highly recommended for a healthy lifestyle.

A Few Serving Ideas for Bamboo Shoots 

Bamboo shoots can be boiled and then used for making various dishes. Boiled shoots can be served with butter and soya sauce as a vegetable accompaniment.

Bamboo shoots can be added to soups, stews, salads and gravies.

Pickles made from bamboo shoots are available and can be consumed as a delicious snack!

Bamboos & Bamboo Plants

In recent years, bamboos have become very popular. Bamboo Plants are now an extremely fashionable plant for many garden settings. We are offering varieties that are easy to grow and fully hardy. These varieties don?t get too large for the average garden and are equally suitable for growing in containers as well as the open ground. Eventual sizes stated are for plants in open ground, after some time and left un-pruned. Pruning is ideally done in early spring if you wish to maintain a smaller sized plant. Evergreen, they offer attractive, lush foliage that can be used to add a tropical effect to any garden, with a wide range, there is bound to be one to suit you. They're absolutely fantastic for oriental style gardens. Available all year round.

Bamboos & Bamboo Plants

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Fargesia ASIAN WONDER - Clumping Umbrella Bamboo		Fargesia murieliae - Umbrella Bamboo		Fargesia murieliae - Umbrella Bamboo - Pack of Three		Fargesia nitida ''Great Wall''
Fargesia Robusta - Clumping Bamboo		Fargesia rufa - Compact Clumping Umbrella or Fountain Bamboo		Hibanobambusa ''Shiroshima'' - Variegated Bamboo		Indocalamus Tesselatus - Bamboo
Pack of THREE Fargesia - Clumping Umbrella Fountain Bamboo Plants		Pack of THREE Fargesia ASIAN WONDER - Clumping Umbrella Bamboo Plants		Pair of Clumping Black Bamboos - Phyllostachys nigra Black Bamboo Large 5ft Plants		Pair of Fargesia - Clumping Umbrella Fountain Bamboo Plants
Pair of Fargesia ASIAN WONDER - Clumping Umbrella Bamboo Plants		Phyllostachys aurea - Golden Cane Fishpole Bamboo		Phyllostachys aurea aureocaulis - Yellow-Groove Bamboo		Phyllostachys Bissetii - Bamboo
Phyllostachys nigra - Black Bamboo - Large Approx 6ft Tall Plants +		Phyllostachys nigra - Black Bamboo - Large Approx 6ft Tall Plants - Pack of Three +		Phyllostachys nigra Henonis - Blue Bamboo 6ft+		Phyllostachys nigra Henonis - Blue Bamboo 6ft+ Pack of Three

Pleioblastus distichus		Pleioblastus variegatus		Pleioblastus viridistriatus		Pseudosasa japonica - Arrow Bamboo
Sasa Palmata - Palm Bamboo		Screening Bamboo - Pseudosasa japonica - Pack of 10 Plants		Semiarundinaria Jashadake Kimmei - Red Stem Narihira Bamboo

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What is Bamboo

Bamboo
Bamboo forest at Huangshan, China
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Plantae
(unranked):	Angiosperms
(unranked):	Monocots
(unranked):	Commelinids
Order:	Poales
Family:	Poaceae
Subfamily:	Bambusoideae Luerss. (1893)
Tribes
Arundinarieae Bambuseae Olyreae
Diversity[1]
>1,400 species in 115 genera
Synonyms[2]
Olyroideae Pilg. (1956) Parianoideae Butzin (1965)

Bamboo  is a type of grass with a hard, woody, hollow stem. It is a perennial evergreen, meaning it grows every year and stays green year round. Hundreds of kinds grow in different regions of the world, and people have used them in everything from construction to medicine. Preferring well-watered, mildly acidic soil in most cases, it has significant cultural and religious connotations such as the need to remain morally straight.

Description

This kind of grass appears as a round, hollow, fibrous stalk, which is green and grows straight up. The plants do have leaves, but they do not put much energy into growing them until they are nearly fully mature. When the leaves do appear, they grow from the top of the stalk.

Types

There are dozens of varieties of bamboo, with experts asserting that there are over 1,400 different types. Some are under 12 inches (30.48 cm). The “giant” kinds are the largest members of the grass family. Some plants might reach as high as 100 feet (30.48 meters). A more common height is around 30 feet (9.114 meters). The root structures vary, so root type sometimes is used to classify different species.

Botanists also classify species by general growing arrangement. Some types are clumping, meaning they form tight sections of multiple stems that are hard to walk through. Others are spreading or open, meaning they grow far enough apart to allow movement. These are also known as runners, because they send rhizomes underground, producing new plants a few feet from the parent. The running variety can be difficult to control and has a poor reputation with gardeners, but a person can keep it from growing too wildly by putting it in pots rather than directly in the ground.

Growing Environment

The large number of bamboo species means that these plants are found in many different areas of the world, ranging from the tropics to chilly mountain regions. Generally, they occur between latitudes of 50 degrees N and 50 degrees S. They are common to Asia but also grow in areas such as South Africa, India, the mid-Atlantic United States and Chile. One area that is not known to have native species is Europe.

Bamboo does best when it has plenty of water but isn’t saturated, such as in an area around a pond. It will tolerate different soils, but the type of soil in which the plant grows determines how often it has to be watered. A slightly acidic soil between 5.5 and 6.5 works for most species, although some species that are more drought resistant do a little better in soil with a higher pH. Depending on the variety and landscaping effect desired, people usually cultivate it between 1.5 and 5 feet (0.4572 and 1.524 meters) apart.

Flowering

Bamboos do flower, but they rarely bloom. They feature a mechanism that still baffles scientists in which all the bamboo of the same stock flowers at the same time. This happens no matter where the plants are in the world or the climate they are in, which suggests that the trigger for the mass flowering event is internal, not part of the environment. The flowering interval can be more than 100 years long.

Uses

This material is commonly used as a food source. It has a crisp texture and light, sweet flavor. It generally assumes the flavor of ingredients it is combined with, however, so cooks often use the shoots as filler in Asian cuisine. While some kinds can be eaten raw, other varieties must be cooked to remove some toxic elements. Some animals that eat it include pandas, lemurs and chimpanzees.

This plant is also used as a construction material. It is an extremely hard substance, although it should be chemically treated to prevent insect infestation and rot. A quickly growing grass—sometimes growing up to 3 to 4 feet (0.9114 to 1.2192 meters) a day—it can grow in dense conditions, so it is considered one of the best renewable resources on the planet. It was used to create the earliest suspension bridges in China, and today, it is used in a variety of building projects. It has also been used to craft boats, zeppelins and airplanes.

Bamboo is also a material in a variety of household goods. Consumers can find furniture, dinnerware, sporting goods, jewelry and handbags comprised of it. It also makes up flooring, cutting boards, wind chimes and nearly any other good that is commonly made of wood.

Some musical instruments are made from or use this material, as well. Perhaps the best example is the reeds of the double reed family, which includes the oboe, English horn, bassoon and related instruments. People make sounds on these instruments by blowing through a mouthpiece formed of two hard, shaped pieces of cane, which vibrate as the performers play.

Some types have found their way into martial arts. Hardened stems serve as weapons for fighters. The stems can be used to block blows or to deliver them. Writing paper and medicine are two other uses.

Cultural Meanings

In many Asian cultures, bamboo is associated with multiple positive qualities. It reminds people to open their hearts, as the shoots are hollow and receptive. It also shows that being rigid in body or behavior can cause a person to break; it is more important to be strong on the inside, standing tall in what a person says and does. It is often called one of the four “gentlemen” for this reason, with orchid, chrysanthemum and plum blossom being the other three.

More broadly, the plants have the spiritual connotation of protection. They are supposed to keep evil away. People often position them around religious buildings or other sacred places as a result.

A bamboo forest.