Swiftlet Nest Drink - Is it really healthy?

Swiftlet Nest Drink - Is it really healthy?

Also known as Birds Nest Drink, I recently got some from family, who bought it from Costco. It's by Golden Nest and claims to have 100% genuine swallow Swiftlet Nest. I tried a pre-chilled bottle and it tasted fine with some soft chunks of what I assumed to be the actual Swiftlet Nest. Regarding the drink itself, I felt it was a bit sweet, and there is 14 grams of sugar.

I've heard a lot about Swiftlet Nest drinks, especially the supposed health benefits. But I've never really done my own research, so here's everything that I've read and learned so far:

What is it?

• It's the saliva of the nest of the swiflets.
• Male swiftlets build the nest with the saliva, which forms a type of salivary glue (imagine a cement) for their nest.
• Different varieties and grades of Swiftlet Nest are available.
• Harvested Swiftlet Nest can be cooked into a soup or drink.
Harvesting and Cleaning Process:
• Traditionally harvested in limestone caves by climbing up tall ladders... quite dangerous!
• Cleaned by removing twigs and feathers that are also part of the Swiftlet Nest.
• The popularity has created "farms" of concrete builds designed to breed and harvest Swiftlet Nest.
• Popularity has attracted counterfeits: even China has banned some imports of Swiftlet Nest.
• Cleaning fresh Swiftlet Nest is best done with cold water, as opposed chemicals that deplete nutritional value.
• Not considered (by me) to be unethical to swallow because it's harvested after the bird's leave and abandon the nest.

Pricing:

• Swiftlet Nest can cost up to $4,500/lb.
• Costco Sells Swiftlet Nest Drink: 8 x 8oz bottles for $20.
• Different grades of Swiftlet Nest can fetch different prices.

Reasons for Swiftlet Nest

• Health benefit reasons, discussed in more details below.
• A sign of luxury, similar to shark fin soup.
• At a restaurant during a business meeting, Swiftlet Nest is ordered a sign of good faith.

At Home Preparation and Consumption:

• Suggested best time to consume is on an empty stomach: either in the morning or right before bedtime.
• Experts recommend 3 grams for those between 1 to 12 years. 5-10 grams for everyone else.
• Don't cook over 100C, which would destroy nutritional value.
• Soup should be prepared in a double boiler for 20 minutes max.
• Can be prepared with rock sugar, ginseng, red dried dates, dried longans, fresh ginger, egg white, pandan leaves.
• Soak dried Swiftlet Nest overnight in cold water to soften and expand.
Health Benefits:
• Little research has been performed on biological function of Swiftlet Nest.
• Saliva has high levels of calcium, iron, potassium, and magnesium.
• High in Epidermal Growth Factor (EGF), beneficial for skin.
• Has all the essential amino acids
• Used in traditional Chinese medicine
• Believed to have anti-aging (remove wrinkles) and anti-cancer properties
• Believed to improve concentration and raise libido.
• Good for Pregnant Women: helps with stretch marks due to collagen, can help reduce risk of pre-eclampsia.

Risks:

• Not recommended for pregnant women during the first trimester.
• Some people have negative reactions: anaphylaxic.
• Try a small amount first, to test for allergies!