Is Bamboo the Next Superfood? Scientists Reveal Health & Sustainability Benefits

Bamboo as food isn’t a new concept: Pandas have been eating it for about [6 million years](https://www.scmp.com/news/china/science/article/3183708/how-long-have-pandas-been-eating-bamboo-least-6-million-years), and research suggests humans started eating it about 2,500 years ago. Here in Canada, you’ve been able to buy bamboo in its pre-cooked, edible form in grocery stores for some time. It's usually found in cans or vacuum-sealed, ready-to-eat packages. The next time you pass it in the aisle, you may want to consider adding it to your cart: A new review from Angela Ruskin University has taken a deep dive into the health benefits of bamboo, going so far as to suggest it may have superfood potential. First of all, what is a superfood? The Merriam-Webster Dictionary defines a superfood as “a food (such as salmon, broccoli, or blueberries) that is rich in compounds (such as antioxidants, fiber, or fatty acids) considered beneficial to a person’s health,” but the University of California, Davis (UC Davis) says there is no, science-approved definition of a superfood. That said, it is generally recognized as food that contains several nutrients that promote health and wellness and prevent disease. FUN FACT: UC Davis says the term originated in the early 20th century as a marketing strategy to promote bananas, and it was developed by the United Fruit Company. What makes bamboo a potential superfood? The new paper, which appears in the journal Advances in Bamboo Science, provides the first-ever academic review of the health benefits of bamboo, which include: A strong nutritional profile, rich in protein, with moderate amounts of fibre, and naturally low-fat. Bamboo also contains essential amino acids, minerals, and a long list of vitamins, including thiamine, niacin, vitamin A, vitamin B6, and vitamin E. Evidence that bamboo may support metabolic health. The study’s authors found that eating bamboo can assist with blood sugar regulation, reduce inflammation, support digestion, and provide antioxidants. Regular consumption demonstrated an improvement in lipid levels, signifying it could help protect against cardiovascular disease. Strong evidence of better gut health. Bamboo is rich in several types of dietary fibre, including cellulose, hemicellulose, and lignin, which are associated with an improvement in bowel function. Lastly, researchers say some compounds in bamboo can inhibit and reduce the formation of furan and acrylamide, toxic compounds that can develop when some foods are fried or roasted. “This suggests bamboo could potentially be used to make some cooked foods safer,” the researchers say. There is a small catch, though: The Angela Ruskin University paper compiled its data through a systematic review of literature and studies on the benefits of bamboo. The authors say there aren’t many academic papers on this matter, so more research is needed to pin everything down. This isn’t a weather story. Why are you talking about bamboo? You’re right: This isn’t your traditional snowstorm story, but weather is our passion, and that includes all the things directly related to it. First of all, food production is heavily tied to the environment. Weather patterns can make or break crop seasons and affect food prices. Secondly, some superfoods can have a negative impact on the environment, which, in turn, can affect our climate. Avocado, for example, is an example of a superfood that is not considered sustainable, due to the excessive amount of water required to grow it. So here’s where bamboo comes in. Bamboo is the fastest-growing plant in the world. Some species can grow upwards of 90 cm in a single day, and it requires minimal water and pesticides, it absorbs carbon dioxide, and it can regenerate without planting. In other words, it’s a nutrient-rich superfood that appears to offer numerous health benefits with minimal environmental harm.