Bamboo Foods Show Potential for Supporting Metabolic Health: Study - Video

Bamboo shoots: superfood sensation or sneaky thyroid threat? A fresh systematic review uncovers promising health perks from this Asian staple, but with key caveats for safe eating.

Published in Advances in Bamboo Science, researchers combed human trials, cell studies, and lab tests to evaluate bamboo as a "functional food." Bamboo, a speedy grass powerhouse with 1,250+ species (80% in Asia), packs protein, fiber, minerals like potassium and selenium, and antioxidants. Eaten as shoots or leaves in cuisines worldwide, it's hailed for digestion, metabolism boosts, yet raw forms hide cyanide risks, demanding proper boiling to detoxify.

The team scoured PubMed and Web of Science, screening 1,052 records to land on 16 solid studies: four human trials (4,934 people), four using human cells, and eight lab-based on nutrition/processing. Quality checks via the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale rated human studies as moderate, all but one from Asia. No meta-analysis was possible due to the variety, but patterns emerged.

Human trials showed mixed results. A big kids' study linked frequent shoots to 31% goiter rates despite good iodine—echoed by rat data on thyroid shrinkage—flagging goitrogen risks. Yet positives shone: flavonoid extracts cut toxic acrylamide/glycidamide exposure (sex differences noted); diabetes patients saw blood sugar drops from shoot-fortified cookies; healthy women got better cholesterol, more bowel movements, and bigger stools.

In human cell tests, bamboo extracts slashed inflammation, oxidative stress, and cell death—especially under high sugar—hinting at metabolic protection. Low toxicity, even with some lead, as gut digestion neutralized it.

Lab work revealed prebiotic perks (feeding good gut bugs), toxin reduction in cooking (like acrylamide), and nutrient tweaks via harvest/processing.

Bottom line: Boiled bamboo may aid guts, lipids, blood sugar, and antioxidants, tied to its fiber and bioactives. But small studies mean no blanket endorsements—watch thyroid risks.

REFERENCE: Pizzol, D., Zampieri, T., MacKinnon, R., Yon, D.K., Richardson, F., López Sánchez, G.F., Caminada, S., Bertoldo, A., Butler, L., Veronese, N., Soysal, P., Shin, J.I., Smith, L. (2025). Bamboo consumption and health outcomes: A systematic review and call to action. Advances in Bamboo Science 13: 100210. DOI: 10.1016/j.bamboo.2025.100210, https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2773139125000898