Not a timber expert like you. Having spent 20 yrs in the trade and still working in it timber will not swell as much as shitboard/mdf. I do know how to bend timber but i don't think if you put a piece of timber in water and take it out the next day it will not change in thickness from 16mm to about 25mm like chip board. or has the chipboard not swelled just delaminated?

back to topic!!!!
Go with what ever is easier for you.