According to the New York Post, our research team has discovered a much-overlooked “superfood”: bamboo shoots. Before you rush out to harvest the ornamental bamboo growing in your garden, there are a few things you should know.

We systematically reviewed all the available evidence on bamboo as a food and its effect on human health. The research base turned out to be surprisingly thin – just 16 studies met our criteria, including four trials in people and four that used cells in a dish. The final eight focused on bamboo characteristics with potential application to nutrition. This is what they showed us.

There is evidence of some positive health effects from eating bamboo. One study showed that eating bamboo shoots in cookies better controlled blood sugar levels, and that more bamboo consumption translated to further lowered levels.

Other studies documented the beneficial effects of the fibre they contain. This isn’t limited to the inevitable bowel movements but also includes the delightfully termed “faecal volume”, both of which were shown to improve.

Also, compared to a fibre-free diet, bamboo shoots lowered overall cholesterol and LDL cholesterol (so-called “bad cholesterol”) that can build up in blood vessels and cause heart disease.

One unusual benefit of bamboo is that it contains flavonoids – plant compounds that can protect against acrylamide, a potentially harmful chemical that forms when starchy foods are cooked at high temperatures. These compounds can increase the risk of some cancers and have been the subject of the Food Standards Agency campaign in 2017 to avoid any burning and “go for gold” when cooking.

Eating bamboo may also help calm inflammation and protect cells from damage. In lab tests, it reduced immune cell activity by 63% and halved the release of substances that trigger inflammation in the body. Bamboo also acts as an antioxidant – lab tests showed it cut by nearly half the production of harmful chemicals like hydrogen peroxide that can damage cells.

Although these findings were in cells in a dish, it gives some insight into the action of bamboo extracts on the human body.

The grass isn’t all green, though

However, if bamboo isn’t properly prepared, it can lead to problems. One study linked it to an increased risk of a condition called goitre. Goitre is an enlargement of the thyroid, a gland in the neck that is important for growth and setting the metabolic rate. It is visible as a swelling in the front of the neck and is most typically associated with low iodine consumption.

Poorly prepared bamboo contains chemicals called cyanogenic glycosides, which the body converts into another chemical called thiocyanate. These block the thyroid from using iodine effectively. People on low-iodine diets, or with existing thyroid issues, are particularly at risk. But the risk of goitre from bamboo shoot consumption may be reduced by properly preparing the shoot to eat, which can be achieved by boiling the shoot in water.

Some of the bamboo samples analysed contained heavy metals, like arsenic, cadmium and lead. These show up in most foods in trace amounts, and have safety levels specified, for example, by the Food Standards Agency.

While most were measured well within permitted limits, lead was found in amounts up to 4.6 times the permitted levels in 21 of the samples assessed. While caution is important, these concentrations were not shown to affect the health of the cells in the lab, which might suggest how easily such chemicals are used by tissues (their so-called “bio-availability”).

There are some other things to bear in mind too. The evidence base in this area isn’t as strong as it could be. The few relevant studies we did find on this topic had some methodological issues and they didn’t offer the most compelling evidence for their findings.

We could only formally assess the four trials on people, which scored in a range indicating “overall satisfactory quality”. As ever, though, they do show the value of research in this area, and the attention our study has garnered shows the public’s clear interest in the topic.

Still, the research shows that bamboo shoots have potential as a sustainable, healthy food. And like the shoots themselves, interest in this area is only likely to grow – rapidly.

The 2026 Six Nations campaign starts this week with the defending champions, France, taking on the side who finished third last year, Ireland.

Ireland welcome back their head coach Andy Farrell after his sabbatical from the 2025 tournament to prepare for the Lions tour of Australia.

Both Ireland and France, like England, won four and lost one match in the 2025 championship, France winning in Dublin and losing at Twickenham. Reflecting their finishes last year and their form throughout the autumn, France are favourites for the title and Ireland third, tucked behind England.

When is the opening match of the 2026 Six Nations?

France host Ireland on Thursday, February 5. The match will kick-off at 8.10pm GMT.

The French public love a Friday night fixture but their ardour is untested on Thursdays. They are treated to the opening match for the third championship in succession with contrasting results: France thumped Wales 43-0 last year but went down 17-38 at Ireland’s hands in Marseille in 2024, the visitors having overcome their World Cup hangover more quickly than the hosts.

Why is France v Ireland on Thursday?

The Thursday evening fixture is a controversial choice, but France’s broadcasters felt they had no choice because the opening ceremony of the 2026 Winter Olympics is taking place on Friday evening.

Where is France v Ireland taking place?

At Stade de France, the national stadium at Saint-Denis, 8km north of central Paris. The stadium has a capacity of 81,338 and hosted both the 2007 and 2023 Rugby World Cup finals, as well as the athletics at the 2024 Olympic Games and the football World Cup final of 1998.

France also host Italy this year and round off the tournament with another home night match against England on March 14 when Le Crunch is sure to crackle.

A PENSIONER who sexually abused children at a summer camp after giving them sedative-laced sweets has admitted also drugging his wife.

Jon Ruben, 76, preyed on two boys, aged nine and ten, at Stathern Lodge in Leicestershire after knocking them out.

Eight children – all boys aged between eight and 11 – and one adult were taken to hospital following the horror.

Ruben appeared at Leicester Crown Court today where he pleaded guilty to drugging his wife.

He admitted the offence of unlawfully and maliciously administered a noxious substance with intent to injure, aggrieve, or annoy, after giving a voluntary interview.

The court heard he drugged his wife over three days between 26 and 29 July.

It comes after he previously admitted a total of 17 charges – including drugging and sexually assaulting the two boys.

He also admitted child cruelty towards six other victims and three counts of possessing a controlled drug of class C – flubromazolam, diazepam, and temazepam – and three counts of making indecent photos of children.

But he denied one of the sexual offences he was charged with against a nine-year-old boy.

More to follow… For the latest news on this story keep checking back at The Sun Online

Thesun.co.uk is your go-to destination for the best celebrity news, real-life stories, jaw-dropping pictures and must-see video.

Like us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/thesun and follow us from our main Twitter account at @TheSun.

The woman, in her 50s, was pronounced dead after the crash near Boldron, close to Barnard Castle at 7.15am on Monday (February 2).

Durham Police say she was driving a BMW heading westbound when she her car collided with a Renault truck.

The 29-year-old driver of the truck was taken into custody

A force spokesperson said: “He has now been released under investigation while further enquiries are carried out.”

The woman who died has not yet been named.

The road was closed while crash investigators probed the scene but has since re-opened.

Durham Police previously said: “Police would like to thank several members of the public who stopped at the scene and tried to help – their efforts were much appreciated by all those involved in the response,” the spokesperson added.

 “Officers are keen to speak to anyone who witnessed the incident, or who may have dashcam footage of the vehicles prior to the collision.”

Anyone who can help is asked to contact the Durham Police crash investigation unit on 0191 375 2996 or by emailing SCIU@durham.police.uk quoting incident number 54 of February 2.”

The government has previously committed £400 million of funding to speed up development in the area

Plans to set up a government-established development corporation have been unveiled by the Housing Minister on Wednesday (February 4). The government said this could ‘unlock’ thousands of homes and jobs for people across Greater Cambridge.

The proposed body would focus on creating thousands of jobs in construction, bioscience, education, and hospitality, the government said. A development corporation was formed to regenerate Stratford after the 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games.

Housing and Planning Minister, Matthew Pennycook, said: “This government is determined to realise the full potential of Greater Cambridge to the benefit of its existing communities and the country as a whole.

“The centrally-led development corporation we are proposing would provide us with the necessary powers, authority and access to finance to unleash ambitious and high-quality sustainable growth in Cambridge and its environs in the years ahead.

“I encourage all those with an interest in the future of Greater Cambridge to respond to our consultation and share their expertise, insights and knowledge.”

Residents, local leaders, and businesses have been asked to have their say on whether a development corporation should be established and what area it would cover. They will also be able to comment on the planning powers it could have to approve new homes, workplaces, and other infrastructure.

Chief Secretary to the Treasury, James Murray, added: “We have huge ambitions for the Oxford–Cambridge corridor. This is an important step that will accelerate development in Cambridge and drive investment and growth for the whole country.

“A new development corporation will help us build more homes, create more quality jobs close to home, and raise living standards for working people across the area.”

It comes after the government committed £400 million of funding to ‘accelerate’ development locally. Part of the funding has been provided to tackle water scarcity while infrastructure is developed.

Chair of the Cambridge Growth Company, Peter Freeman said: “We all recognise that Greater Cambridge has an incredible track record for delivering good quality and sustainable growth and, has even greater ambition to see its innovation economy power inclusive jobs and prosperity for all.

“But we also all know that there are significant problems to address which are increasingly holding the area back. We must make sure that we make Cambridge and all the towns and villages around it more liveable than they are today. I strongly believe that a development corporation will give Greater Cambridge the tools, certainty and investment ability needed to deliver an infrastructure-first approach to sustainable growth.

“The role of a development corporation is to stay true to a shared vision, through economic cycles, and deliver it. When we look back, there will be better transport; no shortage of, and better quality, water; there will be more open public spaces and more protected space for nature; there will be more jobs and more genuinely affordable homes.”

The consultation will run for eight weeks.

PLANNING a UK city break can be a right headache when you’re skint and short on time – but one must-do activity lets you see a lot without spending a penny.

Recently, my family came to visit me in London and even though I live in the city, I don’t often get the chance to be a tourist.

Stumped on ideas of what to do that pleases everyone but didn’t cost much, I took to Google and stumbled across London Walking Tours by Richard Jones.

On the website, there are a number of free, self-guided walking tours – but what makes them even better is that they aren’t to cliche spots, instead you get to uncover hidden pieces of history.

In fact, there are 22 free walking tours on the site to choose from.

I opted for the Soho self-guided walk, taking about two hours starting from Tottenham Court Road Station.

Read more on travel inspo

Advertisement

CHEAP BREAKS

UK’s best 100 cheap stays – our pick of the top hotels, holiday parks and pubs

Advertisement

GO ON

All the little-known websites for cheap or FREE tickets to gigs, theatre & festivals

Advertisement

The walk takes you around the area showing streets and alleyways frequented by famous figures like Charles Dickens and the Beatles.

One of my favourite things about the tour is that it takes you to places you would have otherwise missed.

For example, it took us down this rather normal-looking road to a house with a blue plaque.

The blue plaque simply stated: “John William Polidori, 1795-1821, poet & novelist, author of ‘The Vampyre’, born and died here”.

I had no clue who this person was, but the tour informed me that Polidori was actually a personal physician to the famous poet Lord Byron – whom he idolised.

Upon showing Byron one of his submissions to Byron’s 1816 writing competition – ‘The Vampyre’ – Polidori was dismissed as having little potential.

Not long after, the New Monthly Magazine had published ‘The Vampyre’ but attributed it to Lord Byron – who denied any involvement.

Polidori wrote to the magazine, but was accused of plagiarism and ended up taking his life.

If you aren’t so much of a history fan though, there are other options that are more themed.

For example, you could spend the day on a magical tour that heads all over London showing you locations that have been featured in the Harry Potter movies.

Or perhaps, you want to add in a fun game?

Then head on the Mayfair to St James Quiz Trail, where, as you explore different places, you have to find the answers to a number of questions and complete photo challenges.

But what if you are on a city break elsewhere?

There are plenty of different sites out there offering free walking tours.

For example, if you are exploring Manchester you could opt for The Ultimate Manchester Free Walking Tour, where you can discover history about the famous Britannia Hotel and stop by the bustling Corn Exchange for some food.

In Birmingham, you could go on a self-guided Discovering Britain walking tour which takes you to the popular spots but shares information you may not know about them.

Lots of councils also have guides on their websites, as well as walking maps.

To get the best search result for the city you want to explore, make sure to search the name of your city along with ‘free self-guided walking tour’.

By doing this, you will get results which are free and also aren’t led by anyone, which means you can do the tour at your own pace and even stop along the way for a cuppa or bite to eat.

One thing I learned from the tour I did, was definitely print the tour if you can before heading off on it.

I had the tour open on my phone, but obviously walking around London, or any other large city for that matter, with your phone constantly in your hand isn’t the best idea…

For more things to do in the UK, here are the best free activities for Brits this week for families, couples and mates.

Plus, the top 15 UK attractions for 2025 revealed…including six which are totally FREE for the summer holidays.

It is hoped crowds will turn out as the town hopes to make it into the Guinness World Record book for the largest group dance of Kylies’ 1987 hit song – the Loco-Motion.

The town – at one end of the Stockton and Darlington railway, the world’s first passenger route – is hoping to beat the current record of 1,752 people, set in Margam Country Park near Port Talbot, Wales.

The record has stood since June 24, 2007.

Shildon Town Council hopes more than 2,000 people will take part in the world record attempt, which will take place on Thursday, February 26.

The performance is open to anyone who wishes to participate, including schools and local youth groups.

Rehearsals are taking place throughout Shildon this month.

They are being held at:

Jubilee Fields Community Centre, Jubilee Road, Shildon, DL4 2AL

• Friday (February 6) – 4.30pm – 5.30pm
• Friday, February 20 – 4.30pm – 5.30pm

Locomotion Museum, Dale Road, Shildon, DL4 2RE

• Friday (February 6) – 6pm – 7.30pm
• Friday, February 20 – 6pm – 7.30pm

The second man who died during a Christmas Day swim has been named, as tributes were paid to the ‘deeply respected’ teacher

A well-loved PE teacher has been named as the victim of the Christmas Day swim tragedy.

Tom Johnson, 47, died alongside antiques dealer Matthew Upham, 63, after getting into difficulty during a swim in Budleigh Salterton on December 25, 2025. He was a dad of two and a beloved PE teacher, who has been described as an “inspirational teacher and a deeply respected colleague”. Mr Johnson taught at New Hall in Boreham, Essex, and it is believed he lived in Chelmsford.

A GoFundMe was set up to raise money for his wife and children following his tragic death. It said: “He brought energy, kindness, and humour to everything he did, and he will be greatly missed by the New Hall community.

“Our thoughts and deepest condolences are with Tom’s wife, their two children, and the wider Johnson family at this incredibly difficult time.”

At the time of reporting, over £30,000 has been raised for Mr Johnson’s family.

This is a Breaking News story. You’ll be more likely to see our stories when any big news breaks in future by simply by clicking this link. You can also join The Mirror’s WhatsApp Community or follow us on Google News, Flipboard, Apple News, TikTok, Snapchat, Instagram, Twitter, Facebook, YouTube and Threads – or visit The Mirror homepage.

The Flying Scotsman, which first entered service in 1923, is setting off on a UK tour.

In 1934, it became the first steam engine to officially reach 100 miles per hour.

And recently, a 94-year-old former fireman on the footplate of Flying Scotsman was reunited with the locomotive for the first time since the 1950s.

Owned by the museum since 2004, No. 60103 will embark on a series of mainline excursions starting in February, visiting heritage railways and making extended stops at both the National Railway Museum and Locomotion in Shildon during the Easter and summer holidays.

In 1934, it became the first steam engine to officially reach 100 miles per hour (Image: Steve Morgan, Board of Trustees of the Science Museum)

Andrew McLean, head curator at the National Railway Museum, said: “We’re delighted to be working with Northern Steam to ensure as many people as possible have a chance to see and be driven by this incredible locomotive.

“It really is an unforgettable experience; whether you are an ardent follower of heritage rail or it is your first ever time aboard a steam train, the experience never gets old.”

The Flying Scotsman will be on display in York from March 28 to April 24, giving visitors the chance to see the locomotive up close.

The Flying Scotsman at Bolton Street Station Bury and the East Lancs Railway line on International on Womens Day (Image: Steve Morgan, Board of Trustees of the Science Museum)

It will also feature at Locomotion’s Summer Festival from August 4 to 31, where visitors can ride behind the engine on selected days along a section of the original Stockton and Darlington Railway line.

Its first mainline excursion of the year will take it to the Midlands in February, in partnership with Vintage Trains, the only charitably-controlled train operating company of the 21st century.

Vintage Trains will offer a variety of experiences, from one-hour return journeys at mainline speeds to fine dining trips.

The Flying Scotsman at London King’s Cross in 1928 (Image: National Railway Museum / Science & Society Picture Libr)

From May 16 to 31, the locomotive will visit the Great Central Railway in Nottingham.

This marks the first time in 25 years that the engine has operated on a heritage railway in the East Midlands.

In June, it will travel to the East Lancashire Railway for both static display (June 3, 4, 10, and 12) and passenger rides (June 5–7 and 13–14).

The Flying Scotsman at Waverley Station Edinburgh for the Centenary Celebrations of the iconic steam locomotive (Image: Steve Morgan, Board of Trustees of the Science Museum)

All dates are subject to change, and visitors are encouraged to check the National Railway Museum website for the latest updates.

Further mainline excursions and heritage railway visits are still being planned, with more details to be released later in the year.

The Flying Scotsman, newly named and painted for the British Empire Exhibition, 1924 (Image: Board of Trustees of the Science Museum)

The Flying Scotsman remains a major draw for railway enthusiasts and visitors.

In 2025, during the National Railway Museum’s 50th anniversary and the 200th anniversary of the Stockton and Darlington Railway, more than 50,000 visitors attended Locomotion’s Summer Celebration when the locomotive was on display.

Of the almost 40,000 people who visited the National Railway Museum during April, Flying Scotsman’s presence was cited as the number one reason for their visit.

The campus of De Montfort University and roads around it were closed following a “very serious incident”.

The man killed in the incident was a student at De Montfort University, it has been confirmed.

Road closures include Oxford Street, Grange Street and surrounding roads.

A murder investigation is underway after a man is believed to have been stabbed close to Leicester city centre.
The incident happened around 5pm in Oxford Street.
An 18-year-old man has been arrested. https://t.co/w9Y9UeHbf0 pic.twitter.com/EQ8rpveqWX

— Leicestershire Police (@leicspolice) February 4, 2026

Now, the police force has given an update and says a man left the scene before officers arrived; however, an 18-year-old man has since been arrested on suspicion of murder and is in custody.

A man is believed to have been stabbed and collapsed in Oxford Street, close to the junction with Bonners Lane, and he was taken to Leicester Royal Infirmary, where he died a short time later, the force said.

The force added: “From enquiries carried out so far, it is believed the victim was involved in an altercation with another man in the street. That man left the scene prior to police arriving.”

Man in his 20s killed in Leicester was student at De Montfort University

A man in his 20s who died was a student at De Montfort University, the vice chancellor has confirmed.

In a statement, Professor Katie Normington said: “We are devastated to confirm the tragic death of one of our students.

“Our thoughts are with everyone who is affected by what has happened. We are offering direct support to students, staff and the family of the victim.

“We are working with Leicestershire Police as they investigate this major incident.

“Thank you for the messages of support we have been receiving from the community of Leicester: it is a city that knows how to stand together in moments like this.”

Detective Inspector Lorna Granville, Senior Investigating Officer, said: “We are currently piecing together exactly what has occurred on the corner of Oxford Street and Bonners Lane between, what is reported, as two men involved in a confrontation.

“One of the men is believed to have been stabbed and has then collapsed in the street. Despite the best efforts of medical staff he died in hospital.

“CCTV in the area is currently being reviewed and officers are speaking to potential witnesses to assist with our investigation.

“We know a lot of people came to the aid of the victim before emergency services arrived and we want to thank them for their help.

“If you were one of these people and you haven’t yet spoken to police, please make contact with us.

“The incident happened at 5pm so we know the area was also busy with motorists driving along Oxford Street.

“If you saw anything or captured footage on dash cam as you drove past the area we would also like to hear from you.

“I appreciate the incident has caused major disruption in the city, with a number of roads closed. We are working to reduce this impact as soon as we can.

“Local officers will be in the area over the coming days carrying out reassurance patrols. If anyone has any concerns, please speak to an officer.”

Granville added that those with any information about the incident can call 101 and quote incident number 495 of February 3.