General knowledge of bird's nest- Nutritional Value

 

Bird's nest has been regarded as the most precious natural nourishment and health product and it has been considered as a precious item by aristocrats of the royal household in the Tang Dynasty in China . It was not until the Ming Dynasty that it became a treasure used as tributes by minor South East Asian countries, thus its name “Gong Yan (Tribute Bird's Nest) or “Guan Yan (Official Bird's Nest). Today, the production rate of bird's nest has become more stable and it has become a common commodity with nutritional values recommended by both Chinese physicians and Western doctors.

 

Chinese medicine: From the Chinese medicine point of view, bird's nest principally fortifies the lungs, stomach and kidneys. In addition, its mild and sweet taste which is not heaty or cold, benefits the fortification of qi, nourishes the lungs, beautifies skin, tranquillizes and promotes sleep, nourishes the spleen, upgrades appetite, dissolves phlegm and stops coughs.

 

It has been recorded in the “Ben Cao Gang Mu” that bird's nest is an excellent medicine for nourishing the lungs, dissolving phlegm, stopping cough, replenishing nourishment, clearing the body and regulating physical weakness”. “Its ability to penetrate the lungs promotes the movement of qi and penetration of the kidneys promotes movement of water, while tranquillizing the stomach making it the most ideal food. The consumption of bird's nest stewed with rock sugar is effective in the regulation of physical weakness, cough and phlegm containing strands of blood. However, this is only suitable for those in the initial stage of such problems. If body heat is in excess and the flow of blood has reversed, this method may not be useful anymore.”

 

Western medicine: From the nutritional point of view based on Western medicine, bird's nest is rich in proteins, amino acids, carbohydrates, phosphorous, iron, calcium and potassium which are able to strengthen resistance of the human body. Proteins effectively promote the growth, renewal and repair of cells while helping muscles to contract, aid in the transportation of nutrients and also oxidation. Proteins are made of more than 20 types of amino acids in which 18 of them are found in bird's nest. Out of these, 7 are essential amino acids. As bird's nest contain many different types of essential amino acids, and are rich in them, it has been nicknamed an excellent perfect protein.

Proteins found in bird's nest consist of Glycoprotein and Epidermal Growth Factors.

 

Dry Edible Bird's Nest Nutrition Table

• Protein 49.85％

• Histidine 2.7%

• Arginine 2.7%

• Cystine 2.4%

• Trptophan 1.4%

• Tyrosine 5.6%

• Carbohydrates 30.55％

• Minerals (Calcium, Phosphorus, Potassium, Sulfur)

 

The edible bird's nests are among the most expensive animal products consumed by humans. The bird's nests have been traditionally used in Chinese cooking for more than 400 years, most often as bird's nest soup.