The many health benefits of bamboo

Today, we will be looking at the many health benefits of bamboo. You may be surprised to find out just how beneficial bamboo and bamboo shoots can be to your diet and nutrition.

What is bamboo?

Bamboo, achara or the achalla tree is a long perennial woody grass that is believed to be the most primitive tree due to a long and documented history. Found in temperate, tropical and subtropical regions around the world, bamboo is capable of adapting to harsh soil and weather conditions. There are over 1200 species of bamboo.

Whilst it looks like a tree, bamboo is actually the largest member of the grass family and the fastest growing plant in the world. It only takes 5 to 7 years for a bamboo plant to achieve maturity and begin to shoot up out of the stem base.

In terms of composition, bamboo plants have a tight layer of tough outer leaves covering a softer and tender white centre. It is the white centre that is commonly used in food and medicine but there are health benefits to bamboo shoots, leaves and roots as well.

Bamboo helps digestion

Bamboo shoots contain both soluble and insoluble dietary fibre. These compounds help control and manage constipation conditions. Fibre also helps normalise bowel movements, lower the risk of colon cancer and provide you with a sense of fullness. Furthermore, bamboo shoots also help decrease cholesterol levels by targeting them in the intestines.

Can help with weight loss

Bamboo shoots are only 41 calories per cup, which is a very low-calorie vegetable option to add to your diet. Bamboo shoots do help add bulk to your body but they do so without unnecessary calories. Furthermore, bamboo shoots give you a feeling of feeling full for longer and after shorter meals, meaning you will be cutting down how much your snack and eat.

Rhinorrhagia treatment

Nosebleeds, also known as rhinorrhagia, is a health condition caused by a haemorrhage from the nose, usually, this is a tiny rupture of small vessels in the anterior part of the nasal passage. Numerous studies show that herbal medicine based on the shoots, seeds, leaves and roots of the bamboo plant can be used to treat nosebleeds.

Bamboo contains healthy Omega-3

Bamboo shoots only contain beneficial fats. Omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids lower triglycerides in the blood thus improving cardiovascular health. Both of these fatty acids are essential to a well-balanced diet.

Helps fight cancer

Many studies show that the concentration of high fibre in bamboo shoots can help lower the risk of colon-rectal cancer risk. This is possible because the high fibre protects digestive organs from toxic compounds in food.

Stimulates appetite

Bamboo can also be used to treat digestive disorders and pregnancy-related nausea by helping to manage and increase your appetite. The sweet taste and crunch of bamboo help but the high levels of cellulose in bamboo also activates the appetite, prevents constipation and improve digestion.

Bamboo is good for sleep & night sweats

Bamboo can also help you to fall asleep. When bamboo fibre is used to make silky bed sheets, it features small holes between the fibres for better airflow and management. This makes bamboo bed sheets airy and hypoallergenic as it doesn’t trap in moisture and heat you up whilst you sleep. Instead, bamboo sheets keep you cool.

Bamboo bed sheets are perfect for those with sensitive skin and night sweat sufferers. They are also kind to the skin and don’t cause adverse reactions.

Fights parasitic worms

Bamboo leaves contain strong anthelmintic compositions. These are commonly used in preparing herbal drugs for combatting and destroying parasitic worms.

Good for metabolic function

Bamboo shoots are brimming with B-complex vitamins such as thiamine, riboflavin, niacin, vitamin B-6 and pantothenic acid. All of these minerals are beneficial towards optimum cellular enzymatic and metabolic functions.

Anticoagulation properties

Bamboo leaves have also been shown to be effective in preventing the formation of blood clots due to their anticoagulation properties. Herbal medicine is made from bamboo leaves and used to prevent and treat abnormal blood clots.

Bamboo is good for your bones

Bamboo shoots also contain manganese, copper calcium, iron and phosphorus. All of these minerals are good for your bones and maintain the strength of your bones.

Phlegm treatment

Herbal medicines for treating phlegm can also be made from bamboo roots, branches, leaves and seeds. The bamboo-based medicine clears phlegm secreted by the mucous membranes of the respiratory passages. It is particularly effective if you have a cold and can have a soothing effect as well.

Good for cardiovascular disease

Bamboo shoots are also recommended to people who are dealing with cardiovascular disease. This is because the high levels of potassium help our cells and body fluids control heart rate and blood pressure by countering the effects of sodium.

Bamboo: not just for construction!

You may be more familiar with bamboo as scaffolding in Eastern nations but the strength and benefits of bamboo don’t just stop there.

This fast-growing grass plant informs much of herbal medicine and is brimming with medical and treatment potential. So, have you ever thought about adding bamboo to your diet?

For more health news, guides and health benefit breakdowns, follow Healthier Matters’ blog or head on over to our socials for daily content!