India, Jan. 28 -- The world's first comprehensive academic review of bamboo consumption has identified a wide range of potential health benefits, including improved blood sugar control, reduced inflammation, better gut health and antioxidant effects, researchers said.

Bamboo, the fastest-growing plant on Earth - with some species capable of growing up to 90 centimetres a day - is widely produced in China and India. While bamboo shoots are already a staple in many Asian diets, the new research suggests they could play a larger role in diets worldwide, as per the Anglia Ruskin University (ARU) study.

The review found that bamboo shoots are rich in protein, contain moderate levels of fibre, are low in fat and provide essential nutrients in...