Is it safe to eat Bird Nest Soup in pregnancy?

The short answer is no, for various reasons. 

Bird Nest Soup is a traditional Chinese delicacy believed to contain restorative powers. It is said to have anti-ageing properties. Many also believe Bird Nest Soup can help strengthen the immune system.

The nutritional value of edible Bird Nest Soup is believed to come from the saliva of the swiftlet which builds its nests in caves near the shoreline. Some nests are also "farmed" in purpose-built nesting houses. However, it is important to note that these claims about nutritional value have not been conclusively and scientifically proven.

Is it safe to eat Bird Nest Soup in pregnancy?

Due to its short supply, the cost of Bird Nest Soup has also escalated. So pregnant mums end up paying a lot of money for something that has not been proven to make any difference to the health of mother or baby.

The other issue is that of extracting or harvesting the Bird Nest Soup. Unregulated harvesting methods and improper preparation have led to claims of producers bleaching and colouring the nests. Some have reportedly added ingredients without supervision. In the process, there may be contamination of the Bird Nest Soup, which may harm mother or baby.

Healing Powers of Bird Nest Soup Soup

You would have heard by now that among the most popular Chinese medicinal food is the Bird Nest Soup. This type of food can be costly where it could start from hundreds and reaches to thousands of ringgit. Basically, Bird Nest Soup is known to be a very nutritional type of food which is very good for health.

There is natural Bird Nest Soup which are sourced and extracted from the most natural methods which makes them more expensive. Meanwhile, there are the so-called artificial or ‘manufactured’ types which are cheaper in nature.
So what makes Bird Nest Soup so popular. Why would people go to great lengths to find and enjoy Bird Nest Soup? This is because research has shown that Bird Nest Soup contain a rich amount of nutrients that are very organic such as:

Antioxidants

Bird Nest Soup is rich in antioxidants. Antioxidants are substances or nutrients that can prevent or delay the oxidation of our bodies. health problems, including heart disease, degeneration, diabetes, cancer, etc. supplied by oxidative damage. Antioxidants are resistant, so the risk of infections and cancer.

Collagen and Amino acids

Bird Nest Soup is also rich in Collagen and Amino acids such as leucine, lysine, glycine, glutamine, tyrosine, arginine, cysteine, histidine, tryptophan, amino acids, etc., they describe the building blocks of proteins that is beneficial to human body.
Bird Nest Soup is a delicacy in the form of nests constructed by the salivary secretions of swiftlets. It contains all the beneficial essence from the swiftlet’s diet, and therefore is good for overall well-being, especially for those pregnant women and elderly, however the benefit of Bird Nest Soup also applies to everyone.

Throughout history, it has been recorded that traditional Chinese medicine doctors have used Bird Nest Soup for various medicinal reasons. This includes using this highly beneficial product to:

1. Improvement of Skin Health (Texture)

This is the most well known health benefits for Bird Nest Soup consumption. It is supposed to be a health/supplement food to beautify skin – primarily to retain youthfulness and obtain a clean and clear facial complexion.

2. Easy Digestibility and Health Rejuvenation

This is important if one has poor or slow digestion, especially seen among those who are convalescing (recovering from illness) and in children with poor appetites. Good nutrition is needed but with poor digestion, nutrients cannot be absorbed. Bird Nest Soup can be easily digested by our digestive system, thus delivering good nutrients and thereby bringing back health to those who are weak.
The consumption of good quality Bird Nest Soups is also known to have restored lung functions. It has also been known to help chronic cases of cough and asthma. People who have dry cough with periodic sputum stains (as seen in heavy smokers) may find the consumption of good quality Bird Nest Soups beneficial. Extensive experience has indicated that regular consumption of Bird Nest Soups can reduce the general need for medical attentions

3. Supplement for Parental and Postnatal Health

Pregnant mothers who consume Bird Nest Soups have been known to recover faster after delivery, experience lesser loss of hair, and deliver healthier and fair skinned babies.
For post-natal health, consumption of Bird Nest Soup give the mother more energy, better sleep, and the feeling of vitality

4. Anti-Aging Health/Supplement Food

In Southeast Asia (especially with the Chinese), well-to-do individuals consume Bird Nest Soup on a long term and regular basis, primarily for the benefits of anti-aging. This group of people consistently reports less sickness, better immunity, more energy, better sleep, good complexion, and good virility.

5. Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) Perspective

The early records of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) are contained in the book, “shen non ben cao jing” (神农本草经) from the year 1695. In this book, Bird Nest Soups were reported as mild, homogenous, and non-toxic food. The book also reports on the use of Bird Nest Soups to treat internal organs like the lungs, heart, and stomach. In addition, Bird Nest Soup is also used as food can reduce coughs, tiredness, etc. It also recommended that the nests could be consumed during the early stages of any disease.

Below are a summary of Bird Nest Soup benefits to us:

For expecting mothers:
1) It helps to strengthen the body of mothers and foetus
2) Mothers can recover faster post-birth due to Epidermal Growth Factor (EGF)
For women:
1) It results in fairer and more radiant skin as Bird Nest Soup is rich in collagen, protein and vitamins
2) Women who frequently consume Bird Nest Soup also have smoother skin, and are more youthful and radiant (prevent wrinkles, rejuvenate complexion)
3) It also improves organ performance, e.g. lungs, kidneys and heart
For men:
1) It improves kidneys and strengthens lungs and digestive system
For children:
1) It strengthens the immune system and enhance fairer skin
2) It helps prevent common cold and flu, and alleviate asthma
3) It also reduces fatigue and improves focus
4) Promote brain and organ development
For elderly:
1) It helps in maintain general health and well-being
2) It prevents cancer, strengthen the lungs and kidneys, improves quality of spleen, clears phlegm, aids digestion and enhance appetite