Insects in the human diet: In recent years, there has been a growing interest in insect farming as a sustainable source of human food.
1. Are insects really a safe and effective protein alternative?
Food security will be under stress in the coming decades due to rapidly growing global population and increasing demand for animal protein.
However, increasing meat production requires an expansion of agricultural areas, an increase in water and heat consumption, and the consumption of animal feed.
This is not possible due to the reduction of arable land and the decline in fresh water supplies.
Furthermore, the increase in meat production is recognized as a major cause of climate change, which threatens the well-being of future generations.
2. Are insects in the human diet a solution to the livestock problem?
Insects in the human diet may represent a solution to this problem, as they require less water and land than traditional animal farming.
Additionally, insects can be raised in controlled environments, reducing the risk of contamination.
3. But what are the nutritional benefits of insects in the human diet?
The relative amount of protein can vary substantially, with crude protein content ranging from 23% to 76%.
However, a significant portion of the protein is chemically bound within the insect's exoskeleton and, as such, may not be bioavailable.
The total protein content of insects could therefore be overestimated if measured by nitrogen content.
Insects in the human diet are generally considered a good source of essential amino acids "EAAs", which are the basic building blocks of protein.
Additionally, insects are a source of unsaturated fatty acids, minerals, vitamins, and other important nutrients. In general, insects compare well with traditional protein sources used in animal feed, as well as high-quality protein sources consumed by humans, such as meat, dairy, and fish.
4. Conclusion: Insects in the human diet: a safe and effective protein alternative?
However, it is important to note that the scientific literature on the food safety aspects of insects in the human diet remains limited.
Insects may contain allergens or environmental contaminants, so the safety of producing and consuming insects as a protein source must be carefully evaluated before promoting their large-scale use.
In conclusion, insects represent a sustainable and effective protein alternative for human and animal nutrition.
However, the food safety of insects needs to be explored and ensured in order to be used as a protein source on a large scale.
Sources:
- Potential health benefits of edible insects. Crit Rev Food Sci Nutr. 2022;62(13):3499-3508. doi:10.1080/10408398.2020.1867053.Epub 2021 Jan 5.
- Insects: A Potential Source of Protein and Other Nutrients for Feed and Food Review Annu Rev 2021 Feb 16;9:333-354.doi:10.1146/annurev-animal-021419-083930.Epub 2020 Nov 23
- Edible Insects versus Meat—Nutritional Comparison: Knowledge of Their Composition Is the Key to Good Health Nutrients. 2021 Apr; 13(4): 1207.doi:10.3390/nu13041207
