"How to differentiate a fake bird nests from genuine bird nests"

Edible Bird Nest is one of the premium foods among the Chinese community worldwide. Bird Nest is a delicacy in Chinese cuisine. It has plenty of benefits to human health. In fact, the edible Bird Nest is among the most expensive animal products consumed by humans.

Due to its scarcity and high value in the market, some unethical suppliers adulterate the original Bird Nest with foreign materials and additives. These foreign materials make the Bird Nest heavier and bigger. The suppliers can therefore sell the Bird Nest at higher prices.

"How to differentiate a fake bird nests from genuine bird nests"

The genuine purchasers however, wish to buy a true Bird Nest rather than a fake one. The following are methods to differentiate a true Bird Nest from the fake one.

i. Outlook

A true Bird Nest appears to be in fibre form whereas the fake one comes in lump shape with shinning surfaces.

ii. Transparency

A true Bird Nest is translucent whereas a fake one is opaque.

iii. Weight

The weight of a true Bird Nest is between 3.5 gram and 8 gram. A fake Bird Nest can weigh more than 8 gram.

iv. Test by burning

A true Bird Nest has no sparks during burning whereas a fake one has.
One may further test the Bird Nest by soaking in clean water for 30 minutes. After the 30 minutes, one may observe as follows:-

i. Appearance

A true Bird Nest appears in fibre/filament form whereas a fake one in grain shape.

ii. Smell

A true Bird Nest has the smell of albumen of an egg whereas a fake one has the smell of additives.

iii. Color

A true Bird Nest will not fade whereas a fake one will fade.

iv. Extent of expansion

A true Bird Nest will expand for about 2 times the original size whereas a fake one expands slightly. You can see some foreign materials inside the fake Bird Nest.

v. Bubble

A true Bird Nest will produce bubbles after soaking in the water whereas a fake one has no bubble but the water turns murky. Everyone wishes to spend money for quality items. There are different classes of Bird Nest in the market. Some shrewd Bird Nest suppliers try to sell sub-standard quality Bird Nest at premium prices. The above observation and testing method may help the buyers to avoid falling into the trap of being cheated.

Can Bird Nest Soup be consumed during Pregnancy and Breastfeeding ?

In the world of natural cuisine, there are few items that could match the nutritional value of edible Bird Nest. It has few dietary restriction and is suitable for all ages. Bird Nest soup is considered an elixir of youth. It's said to improve complexion and helps skin retain its natural beauty. It is the gold standard and a favorite among women. In addition, Bird Nest soup can also be used to stimulate the appetite and improve sleep. Bird Nest soup can also help improve memory and enhance neural functions in both adults and children. Moreover, Bird Nest soup also help increase immunity and resistance against infections. So can Bird Nest soup be consumed during pregnancy and breastfeeding? 

The tryptophan helps reduce stress, anxiety and fatigue in mothers as well as promoting the recovery process after birth
Studies from ancient Oriental medicine as well as modern western medicine show that edible Bird Nest contain essential nutrients that could potentially benefit the health of the baby and mothers during pregnancy and breastfeeding*.
Glycine substances in Bird Nest can help reduce the risk of pre-eclampsia in pregnant women, decreased risk of neural tube defects in the fetus and promote the overall development of children.
The tryptophan, a precursor of serotonin and melatonin, found in Bird Nest soup has antidepressant effects and can help reduce stress, anxiety and fatigue in mothers as well as promoting the recovery process after birth. In addition, tryptophan promotes the optimal growth for the child.
The tryptophan helps reduce stress, anxiety and fatigue in mothers as well as promoting the recovery process after birth
Mothers that consume Bird Nest regularly can give birth to healthy babies that are free of lung diseases and respiratory organ failures.
The threonine found in Bird Nest soup important in the formation of elastin and collage which help prevent aging of the skin.  Daily consumption of Bird Nest soup can help the skin retain its radiance and natural beauty to help skin from aging as well as reducing the appearance of stretch marks during pregnancy.
The largest benefit of Bird Nest is that it contains amino acids that are essential but the human body cannot synthesize such as: Leucine, Phenylalanine, Tyrosine, Arginine, Histidine ... Bird Nest soup contain a large amount of proline which is important for the recovery muscles, tissues and skin after a traumatic event like giving birth.

Bird Nest Soup for Pregnant Women:

Bird Nest is NOT recommended in the first trimester (the first 3 months pregnancy). The embryo needs time to firmly embedded into the uterus and establish all the important connections for growth. Bird Nest can be used from the 4th month onwards.
The recommended amount is 5-7g of dried cleaned Bird Nest used every day or every other day. To save time, you can cook a couple at a time, portion and store in the refrigerator for daily use. Do NOT consume large amount of Bird Nests at once. For best results, eat a small amount everyday.
Do NOT consume large amount of Bird Nests at once​

Bird Nest Soup after giving birth:

The health of post-partum women often substantially reduced. This is because a large amount of blood is loss during childbirth, either by Caesarean section or natural birth. Compounded by the lack of sleep and hormonal imbalance cause women to feel  tired and stressed out and have a weak resistance to infections. Valuable nutritients in Bird Nest soup will accelerate the process of recovery for the mother. Bird Nest can also enhance milk supply and scientific evidence show that breast milk is the best food for babies.
In addition, the connective tissue under the skin dilate to meet the weight gain during the pregnancy.  Mothers with Caesarean deliveries suffer added injuries  during birth. Using Bird Nest soup after birth can help mothers get back in shape as well as quickly regain smooth skin.

Dosage & Administration:

Bird Nest soup can be used immediately after birth. It is recommended that the mother should try a small amount to test for allergies.
A few slices of fresh ginger can be added to keep the body warm and good for digestion. If mother and baby respond well, then use 5-7g dried cleaned Bird Nests every day or every other day.
Consuming Bird Nest Soup during pregnancy is beneficial for both moms and babies. Yet it is a food product and is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease. If you are aware that you are allergic to food protein, please consult your healthcare professionals before consuming it.