4 Amazing Nutritive Value of Bamboo shoots

4 Amazing Nutritive Value of Bamboo shoots

Bamboo shoots are the loveliest of grasses that you can relish in Chinese and South Asian cuisine. But because of unique nutritive and aesthetic value, Western countries have picked up eating as well as growing in home gardens. Bamboo belongs to the Poaceae family and scientifically known as Bambusa vulgaris. Did you know that the bamboo shoots are not only delicious but contain medicinal values?

When do you eat them?

Shoots should be harvested for food only about 2 weeks of age. This is  about 1 foot from the ground. They are tender and crisp like asparagus and tastes almost like corn. It is good to have fresh, but you can store in the refrigerator for 2 weeks. Frozen and canned shoots are also available at grocery stores.

How can you have them?

Bamboo shoots need to be peeled and boiled for 20 minutes before eating. Besides using bamboo shoots in recipes with multiple items the simplest methods are

• Add butter, pepper, and salt and soya sauce and have it as a side dish of vegetable.
• Shoots cut into smaller pieces can be stir fried with rice and soya sauce.
• Add to other salad items such as asparagus, tomato, cucumber mushroom and salad dressing.
• Add with other vegetables and stir fry with soy sauce.

Why bamboo shoots are good for you?

You will be surprised by the overwhelming nutritional value of bamboo shoot. Let’s at the major nutrients and how they aid in a healthy diet.

1.Calories

A 100 g helping of bamboo shoot contains only 27 calories. It is low in fat (0.3 g and 15 of RDA) and no cholesterol. It makes up 5 and 4% of the protein and carbohydrate requirement, respectively, when 100 g is taken. So, you can rest assure that a meal will not bounce up your calories.

2.Roughage

A high fiber food regulates the bowel system and gets rid of fat. With a 100 g intake, you can fulfill 6% of the recommended daily requirement (RDA) of fiber from Bamboo shoot.

3.Minerals

The bamboo shoot has excellent sources of minerals essential for the metabolic and immune functions of the body. Copper supplying 21% RDA from 100 g is used to make collagen, a blood tissue, and enzyme activity. Potassium and sodium known to retain ionic balance in balance is present in bamboo shoot in sufficient quantity. Besides, manganese is a powerful antioxidant that prevents and controls cancer. The bamboo shoot of 100 g supplies 262 mg and 11% of RDA. Likewise iron, an essential constituent of blood and anti-anemia can be easily included in our diet as a source. Selenium a rare element retains the immune system of the body and assures 1.5% RDA from 100 g.

4.Phytochemicals in bamboo shoot

Chemical compounds known as phytochemicals found in plants has excellent medicinal value. It contains phyto- sterols and at 17 amino acids Bamboo shoots contain lignin and phenolic compounds that protect against cancer, has antibacterial and anti-fungal and overall anti-inflammatory properties.

Bamboo shoot a new trend in food culture is becoming popular. As it controls obesity I can be included as a salad in our daily diet. The flavor taste makes it a culinary vegetable. The incredible nutritive and medicinal value is sure to attract a lot of food lovers.