Are there really any benefits to Edible Bird's Nest?

In this episode a sick Mr. Lam explores whether or not Edible Birds Nest (EBN) has any scientific basis to its claims. This is the first episode in a short series aimed to unveil the science (or lack of science) in traditional Chinese Medicines (TCM).

The short answer is that studies have been done that demonstrate increases B cell activation in mice fed EBN. Lab studies on simulated human skin also show a decrease in pigment formation, which results in whiter appearing skin. Feel free to help yourself to the long answer with the links below!

Links to Scientific Articles:

EBN helped increase B cells in mice after subjecting them to intestinal damage, but not T cells

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/arti...

Improved bone mass and skin regeneration in rats that had their ovaries removed:

http://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10...

Birds nest, like many supplements on the market, have a huge range in composition depending on what brand you buy from. The good ones are mainly glycoproteins and sugars

https://link.springer.com/article/10....

Surprisingly, the short answer is that is could serve as an immune booster

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/1...

Bird's Nest was found to suppress melanin (skin pigmentation) development in 3D human skin models:

http://file.scirp.org/Html/31050325_...