Grown throughout Asia, Africa, and the Americas, bamboo refers to any one of about 1,450 species in the Poaceae family. Most varieties of bamboo are incredibly hardy, and grow well in both tropical and cold, mountainous climates. They’re among the fastest growing plants in the world, capable of growing up to 60 centimeters in a single day.
Today, bamboo is used in a variety of ways, from building houses to making paper. But while bamboo has been a nutritional staple in Asian countries for centuries, Western nations are just beginning to realize the potential of bamboo as a healthy, nutrient-packed food.
Health Benefits
With so many vitamins and minerals packed into these sturdy shoots, it comes as no surprise that there are a number of health benefits to bamboo.
Lower Cholesterol
With high levels of fiber and very few calories per serving, bamboo shoots are a great way to lower your levels of “bad” LDL cholesterol. This, in turn, can reduce your risk of heart disease.
Stimulates Appetite
From digestive disorders to pregnancy-related nausea, there are plenty of reasons you might want to increase your appetite. It’s not just the mildly sweet taste and crunchy texture of bamboo that gets your stomach rumbling though. The high concentrations of cellulose in bamboo have been shown to stimulate the appetite, prevent constipation, and improve digestion.
