If you’re looking for a material that’s in line with your eco-friendly lifestyle, bamboo is a top choice. This plant is a rapidly renewable resource, which means that it doesn’t suffer from issues like logging or deforestation, as many other plant species do. The term rapidly renewable resource simply means that it’s sustainable, fast-growing, and replenishes itself at a much faster rate than some other natural materials used in manufacturing and construction. Bamboo regrows and replaces itself quickly, reducing the demand for fast-depleting materials like lumber found in traditional forests and standard trees. For example, a bamboo plant can grow to full size in just under four months (or less), while most trees may take up to 30 years or more before they reach full size. It can be grown, harvested, and re-grown much more quickly than trees while helping to preserve our precious environment in the process.
In addition to its sustainability, bamboo actually absorbs twice as much carbon dioxide as trees. It acts as a “carbon sink,” meaning that bamboo forests (called groves) can help to absorb the environmental impacts of air pollution caused by greenhouse gases. This incredible plant also generates an impressive amount of oxygen, totaling approximately 30-percent more than most other species of plants and trees. Growing and harvesting bamboo contributes to biologic carbon sequestration, a process where plants safely store carbon dioxide to help offset the amount that goes into the atmosphere. Of course, the eco-friendly process of harvesting bamboo is what makes it a popular choice for many today. The plant is harvested in a safe, renewable, and sustainable manner that reduces deforestation and habitat destruction.
Now that you know more about why bamboo is such an eco-friendly choice and why it’s good for the environment, let’s check out some fast facts regarding the sustainability aspects of this incredible plant.
It’s pest-resistant. Because bamboo is easy to grow and extremely tough, it rarely suffers from pest-related issues and diseases. These plants can be grown without the use of pesticides to keep them protected from harm. Bamboo plants grow quite easily, which means they can be farmed without the need for chemical fertilizers that can cause harm to the soil and water supply.
It saves water. Growing bamboo requires no irrigation, which saves water. It rarely needs to be replanted and grows so fast that it can be replenished and fully harvested in just three to five years.
It produces oxygen. A grove of bamboo produces between 30-35 percent more oxygen than an equivalent stand of trees while sequestering (absorbing) carbon dioxide. It’s also carbon-neutral, helping offset the effects of climate change. Bamboo is a critical part of maintaining the balance of oxygen and carbon dioxide in the earth’s atmosphere.
It prevents soil erosion. The roots of bamboo plants spread out underground to form a dense network that helps to work as an effective soil erosion inhibitor.
It grows in many environments. Bamboo grows in a wide range of environments across the globe, making it more easily accessible to people over larger areas without the need for excess transportation or manufacturing.
Lower environmental impact in processing. Turning bamboo into fiber for fabrics and other materials has a much lower environmental impact than other types of fibers, particularly synthetic fibers like polyester or rayon which require petroleum to make them. In fact, growing bamboo to make fabrics is better than cultivating cotton, which requires the use of pesticides, large volumes of water, and machinery to harvest.
Bamboo: A superfood to boost your health
In Asian cuisine, bamboo shoots are a popular ingredient. They’re not only perfect for enhancing the flavor and texture of nearly every meal, but they’re also highly nutritious, with each serving containing a decent amount of fiber, potassium, manganese, and antioxidants.
Due to their high protein, carbohydrates, vitamin, fiber, and mineral content, as well as their low-fat content, Bamboo shoots are considered one of the healthiest foods. Here are some of the health benefits of bamboo shoots.
- Bamboo hearts are rich in the B-complex group of vitamins such as thiamin, riboflavin, niacin, vitamin B-6.
- Bamboo shoots compose excellent levels of potassium. 100 grams of fresh shoot holds 533 mg or 11% of daily required levels of potassium.
- May reduce cholesterol levels due to the soluble fiber found in bamboo shoots. Soluble fiber absorbs water in the gut and has been linked to decreased cholesterol levels.
- It promotes gut health as bamboo shoots are a great source of fiber, with 2 grams in each 1-cup (155-gram) serving. Fiber can promote regularity and may even protect against issues like hemorrhoids, diverticulitis, and colorectal cancer.
- May support weight loss. It is a low-carb vegetable. 100grs of fresh cane contains just 27 calories
Raw bamboo shoots contain toxins known as cyanogenic glycosides, which are also found in other foods, such as cassava. For this reason, the bamboo shoot must be boiled or cooked before consumption, which helps destroy the toxins.