Bird’s nest soup is a delicacy in many parts of Asia, particularly in China. It is made from the saliva-cemented nests created by swiftlets using strands of their gummy saliva, which hardens into a substance called edible bird’s nest. These bird’s nests are one of the most expensive animal products consumed by humans, with the nests being sold for over $3,000 per pound in some instances. While bird’s nest soup is considered a luxurious dish with purported health benefits, there are also safety concerns regarding the consumption of birds’ nests. This article will examine the potential risks and benefits of drinking bird’s nest.
What is Bird’s Nest?
Bird’s nests are built by swiftlets, which are small birds belonging to the Collocalia and Aerodramus genus. Swiftlets build their nests on rock surfaces in caves throughout various parts of Southeast Asia, using their saliva to construct the nests. The saliva hardens and sticks together when exposed to air and humidity.
There are a few species of swiftlets used to make bird’s nest soup, with the most common being:
- Black-nest swiftlet (Aerodramus maximus)
- White-nest swiftlet (Aerodramus fuciphagus)
- Grey-rumped treeswift (Hemiprocne longipennis)
The nests are harvested from cave walls and used to make bird’s nest soup. The nests contain various minerals, amino acids, and glycoproteins that provide nutrition. However, the nests themselves are flavorless and must be prepared in soup or stock to impart flavor.
Purported Health Benefits
Bird’s nest soup has been consumed in China for over 400 years, with the nests believed to provide various health benefits. Some of the commonly promoted benefits of bird’s nest include:
- Improving complexion and skin health
- Boosting immune function
- Increasing energy and stamina
- Supporting respiratory health
- Promoting cell regeneration
The glycoprotein found in bird’s nests contains sialic acid, which is thought to be the main bioactive component providing health benefits. Sialic acid plays important roles in the body, particularly in cell-to-cell communication, inflammation regulation, and brain development.
Some small studies have found preliminary evidence for certain benefits:
- A study in 60 elderly adults found that taking bird’s nest increased blood antioxidant levels, which could support immune function.
- Another small study showed improved immune cell responsiveness in older adults taking bird’s nest.
- One animal study found that bird’s nest extract could help protect rats’ skin from UV damage when applied topically.
However, most studies have been small or done in animals or cells. More robust research is needed to confirm the proposed health benefits in humans when bird’s nest is consumed.
Potential Health Risks
While bird’s nest soup has been eaten for centuries, there are some health and safety factors to consider:
Allergies
Bird’s nest contains glycoprotein, which can cause allergic reactions in some people. There have been isolated case reports of anaphylaxis and other allergic reactions after consuming bird’s nest soup. People with shellfish allergies may be more susceptible since the glycoprotein is similar.
Contaminants
There is a risk of contaminants accumulating in the nests, particularly from air pollution, pesticides, insects, feathers, and droppings. Rigorous cleaning procedures are used prior to preparing nests for food, but some contaminants may still remain in trace amounts. Nitrite levels can be elevated in some nest samples.
Heavy Metals
Some studies have found detectable levels of heavy metals like arsenic, mercury, and lead in bird’s nest samples. The levels vary based on where the nests are harvested. The heavy metals could accumulate from pollution, pesticides, or the natural environment the swiftlets inhabit. Consuming contaminated nests over time could potentially lead to heavy metal toxicity.
Fakes
Because bird’s nests are so expensive, there have been issues with imitation products made of algae, karaya gum, red seaweed, or other substances being fraudulently sold as real nests. Consuming these fake products would provide none of the purported health benefits of real bird’s nests.
| Potential Contaminant | Health Risks |
|---|---|
| Pesticide residues | Neurotoxicity, endocrine disruption |
| Heavy metals | Neurological damage, kidney damage, reproductive issues |
| Unsafe cleaning methods | Gastrointestinal illness |
| Pathogens | Salmonella, E. coli, hepatitis A |
| Allergens | Anaphylaxis, hives, asthma |
Safety Precautions
If you want to safely consume bird’s nest products, here are some precautions to take:
- Only purchase from reputable suppliers and check for legitimate certification.
- Choose nests that have been cleaned using methods like repeated rinsing, dehydration, and sterilization to reduce contaminants.
- Avoid buying from unknown street vendors or unverified online sources.
- Start with a small portion to check for any allergic reaction.
- Consume bird’s nest soup in moderation as part of a varied diet.
- Be aware of potential drug interactions if you are taking certain medications.
Additionally, pregnant women, young children, the elderly, and those with compromised immune systems should exercise greater caution and speak to their healthcare provider before consuming bird’s nest products.
Conclusion
Bird’s nest soup retains an aura of exotic luxury and purported health benefits, which is why it has been treasured for centuries. However, the potential for contaminants, allergies, and side effects means consuming bird’s nest does involve some degree of risk. There is currently insufficient clinical evidence confirming the health claims surrounding bird’s nest.
By choosing high-quality, well-sourced nests and being mindful of safety precautions, the risks can be minimized. As with any supplement, it’s best to err on the side of caution and consider bird’s nest as an occasional delicacy, not a medical remedy. Anyone experiencing concerning symptoms after consuming bird’s nest should seek medical care. With judicious, moderate use, bird’s nest soup can be enjoyed as a cultural delicacy for those able to access it. But the hype surrounding its medicinal properties currently outweighs the evidence. More research is needed on the bioactive components and physiological effects before the health claims can be wholeheartedly endorsed.
References
Guo, C.T., Takahashi, T., Bukawa, W., Takahashi, N., Yagi, H., Kato, K., Hidari, K.I., Miyamoto, D., Suzuki, T., & Suzuki, Y. (2006). Edible bird’s nest extract inhibits influenza virus infection. Antiviral Research, 70(3), 140-146.
Hou, Z., Imam, M.U., Ismail, M., Azmi, N.H., Ngah, W.Z.W., & Yusof, Y.A.M. (2019). Antioxidant effects of Edible Bird’s Nest against hydrogen peroxide-induced oxidative damage in human SH-SY5Y neuroblastoma cells in vitro. BMC Complementary and Alternative Medicine, 19(1).
Kong, Y., Keung, W. M., Yip, T. T., Ko, K. M., Tsao, S. W., & Ng, M. H. (1987). Evidence that epidermal growth factor is present in swiftlet’s (Collocalia) nest. Comparative Biochemistry and Physiology Part B: Comparative Biochemistry, 87(2), 221-226.
Lee, E.L.,Lim, C.L., Cheong, K.Y., Xu, X., Huang, N., Hao, X., & Dong, T. (2019). Edible bird’s nest ameliorates oxidative inflammation in adenine-induced chronic kidney disease. Food & Nutrition Research, 63.
Marcone, M.F. (2005). Characterization of the edible bird’s nest the “Caviar of the East”. Food Research International, 38(10), 1125-1134.
Yida, Z., Imam, M., Ismail, M., Hou, Z., Azmi, N., Ngah, W., & Yusof, Y. (2017). Edible bird’s nest prevents high fat diet-induced insulin resistance in rats. Journal of Diabetes Research.
