Recent scientific research on Edible Bird's nest (EBN) found it contained rich amino-acids and rich antioxidants. The two essential elements help to generate new cells and counter free radicals in our body.

Antioxidants

Bird's nest is rich in antioxidants. Antioxidants are substances or nutrients which can prevent or slow the oxidative damage to our body. Health problems such as heart diseases, muscular degeneration, diabetes, cancer etc are all contributed by oxidative damage. Antioxidants may also immune defense and therefore lower the risk of cancer and infection Erbology Health Food .

Amino Acids

Bird's nest contains amino acids like Leucine, Lysine, glycine, glutamine, tyrosine, arginine, cystein, histidine, tryptophan etc. Amino acids best be described as the construction blocks from which protein is made.

In general, EBN can be divided into cave nests and house nests. Cave nests are mainly harvested from natural caves. Since cave nests are 'made' by free, naturally-living swiflets, some consider them to be more valuable than house nests. Hence, they fetch a higher price. However, the truth is cave nests generally contain more foreign materials and feathers than house nests. Besides, cave's nests are exposed to the risk of heavy metal contaminants from the environment.

House nests are made by swiflets (Collocalia, sp.) in the attics of countryside houses and many abandoned or unoccupied shops in the town in Malaysia. Now, humans has acquired the knowledge of cultivating the swiflets in control buildings. Generally, the texture of house nests are smoother compared to those of cave nests,with less feathers and other contaminants.

Bird's nests are an expensive and nutritive products. Thus it is important to distinguish the genuine bird's nest (The authenticity of bird's nest). In the market, there are many producers who would increase the weight of bird's nest by adding additives like white fungus,jelly and skin or synthetic rubber.

Appearance:- Good and genuine nests consist of two main types of filaments. The outer layer that has longer and bigger filaments whereas the inner part has finer, shorter filaments.

Cooking:- When double boiled for an hour the bird's nest inner filaments become water soluble. The outer filaments contain mainly minerals, it is less soluble but gives bird's nest its signature fibrous taste and appearance.

Odour:- During double boiling a fine scent of near albumin odour will occur.

Bird's nests contain glycoprotein. This special glycoprotein has mitogenic effect properties named as Epidermal Growth Factor(EGF) which can stimulate cells growth. The tonic powers of bird's nests are believed to improve skin complexion, slow down the aging and prevent cancer cells from mutation.

In traditional Chinese medicine, bird's nest is believed to offer good effect for treating tuberculosis,dry coughs, asthma,and general weakness due to bronchial ailments. It is also traditionally used to nourish the kidney, lung, heart and stomach. Consumption of bird's nest is also recommended to complement other treatments to combat degenerative diseases such as cancer and also for convalescence or to recover health after illness or surgery.