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Bamboo could be the world's next superfood
PRINT ALL READINGS (PDF)Bamboo Superfood - Level 0
Some scientists have said bamboo shoots are a superfood. They are very good for our health. They are low in calories and high in fibre. They are also full of vitamins and minerals. This helps to control our blood pressure. However, raw bamboo shoots are poisonous. They must be cooked before eating.
Bamboo is eaten in Asia, but it is spreading worldwide. Bamboo is the world's tallest grass. It can grow 90 cm in one day. Bamboo shoots are harvested as they come up from below the ground. This is when they are soft enough to eat. We do not eat the hard, woody stalks. Pandas eat those.
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Bamboo Superfood - Level 1
Many websites write about superfoods. These are good for our health. Websites are now talking about bamboo shoots. A review by scientists said these are good for our well-being. They are low in calories and high in fibre. This helps with our digestion and weight. They are also full of vitamins and minerals, which help to control sugar levels and blood pressure. However, raw bamboo shoots contain toxins, so they must be cooked before eating.
The lead author said: "Our review shows bamboo's clear promise as a possible superfood." Bamboo is eaten in parts of Asia, but it is spreading worldwide. Bamboo is the world's tallest grass. It can grow up to 90 cm a day. However, people may not know that bamboo shoots are harvested as they come up from below the ground. This is when they are still soft to eat. We do not eat the hard, woody stalks. Pandas eat those.
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Bamboo Superfood - Level 2
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Many websites have information about superfoods. These are good for our health. The latest superfood being discussed is bamboo shoots. Scientists tried to find out how good they are for us. They said the shoots can be beneficial to our well-being. They are low in calories and high in fibre. This helps with digestion and weight control. They are also full of vitamins and minerals. Bamboo contains magnesium and potassium, which help to control sugar levels and blood pressure. However, raw bamboo shoots contain toxins and must be cooked before eating.
The scientists are from a university in the UK. The lead author said: "Our review shows bamboo's clear promise as a possible superfood." Bamboo is eaten in parts of Asia. It is spreading to many dinner tables worldwide. Most of us know what bamboo looks like. It is the world's tallest grass. It can grow up to 90 cm a day. There are around 1,400 species of bamboo. However, people may not know that bamboo shoots are harvested as they emerge from the ground. This is when they are still soft to eat. We do not eat the hard, woody stalks. These are popular with pandas.
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Online activities | 8-page printable (PDF)
Bamboo Superfood - Level 3
Health websites are full of information about superfoods. These are packed with nutrients and are particularly good for our health. The latest superfood being discussed is bamboo shoots. Scientists have looked at many studies to find out just how good they are for us. Researchers say the shoots can be beneficial to our well-being. They are low in calories and high in fibre, which helps with digestion and weight control. They are also a good source of vitamins and minerals. Bamboo contains iron, magnesium, and potassium, which are important for sugar levels, blood pressure, and muscle function. However, raw bamboo shoots contain toxins and must be cooked before eating.
The scientists are from Anglia Ruskin University in the UK. Lead author Professor Lee Smith said: "Our review shows bamboo's clear promise as a possible superfood." He added: "Bamboo is already commonly eaten in parts of Asia, and it has huge potential to be a healthy, sustainable addition to diets worldwide, but it must be prepared correctly." Most of us know what bamboo looks like. It is the world's tallest grass and can grow up to 90 cm a day. There are around 1,400 species of bamboo worldwide. However, people may not know that bamboo shoots are harvested as they emerge from the ground, while they are still soft. We do not eat the hard, woody stalks. These are popular with pandas.
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