When visiting the North-Eastern part of India, especially in Meghalaya or Nagaland, you are bound to come across an extremely popular ingredient, bamboo shoots. Bamboo shoots not only boost the flavour and texture of nearly any dish but are also highly nutritious, hence they pack a good amount of fibre, potassium, manganese and antioxidants into each serving. Highlighting the benefits of bamboo shoots on our Twitter timeline, we have Minister of Earth Sciences Kiren Rijiju. In the 42-second clip, the minister is seen peeling off some bamboo shoots, which have come all the way from Arunachal Pradesh, for his personal use.
Alongside the video, he wrote, “Fresh Bamboo shoots sent all the way from Arunachal Pradesh. Very healthy and precious so I am preparing myself. All the visitors who come to Arunachal Pradesh may please try some Bamboo shoot dishes.”
So far the clip has clocked over 3 lakh views. Watch the video here:
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Several dishes, like chicken and pork as well as rice are cooked in bamboo shoots. They lend a distinctive flavour to the dishes, making the gastronomic experience worthwhile. This seasonal ingredient is boiled, fermented, pickled and at times curried with other ingredients to treat the taste buds. In addition to this, bamboo shoots have more than one benefit linked to it including weight loss and skin health.
1. Weight Loss
As they are low in calories but high in fibre, bamboo shoots are pivotal for reducing belly fat. They can also keep you full for a longer period, ruling out the possibility of unwanted munching.
2. Bone Density
They are rich in potassium, calcium and phosphorus, and all three elements are essential for strong bones.
Also Read: Introducing Bamboo Biryani: A Unique Take On Lucknow's Classic Dish
Bamboo shoots can be cooked in myriad ways. Photo Credit: Unsplash
3. Gut Health
As bamboo shoots have high fibre content, their consumption can also provide relief from constipation They contain cellulose, which increases the peristaltic movement of the intestines and helps in digestion. Bamboo shoots also function as a prebiotic and end up promoting healthy gut bacteria.
4. Cholesterol Management
Consuming bamboo shoots can help you maintain your cholesterol levels. They have loads of phytonutrients and phytosterols, which assist in neutralising LDL cholesterol, which is bad for health.
5. Healthy Skin
Due to the presence of silica and copper, bamboo shoots are said to be great for your skin. While silica boosts collagen production, copper prevents anti-ageing.
If you are looking for a bamboo shoot recipe, to relish the taste and benefits of this north-eastern wonder, here is a classic recipe of pork roast, prepared with bamboo shoots.