Can edible insects be a nutritional option for people with special protein requirements? A systematic review

This systematic review summarizes the nutritional benefits and potential risks of edible insect consumption in populations with specific protein requirements. Out of 4,093 studies screened, 37 met the inclusion criteria (10 clinical, 27 preclinical). In young adults (18-30 y/o), mealworm protein ingestion led to a lower peak in plasma essential amino acids compared with whey protein. In contrast, cricket protein resulted in greater aminoacidemia than beef protein, between 90 and 180 min postprandially. No difference was observed between mealworm and milk proteins with regard to amino acid bioavailability and muscle protein synthesis over a 5-h postprandial period. In elderly subjects (>65 y/o), a 12-week supplementation with mealworm protein did not attenuate exercise-induced muscle damage. Nevertheless, several preclinical studies reported that ingestion of mealworms and crickets was effective in restoring muscle mass of animals with muscular atrophy. In females of childbearing age (18-30 y/o), fortifying maize porridge with insect flour (cricket and mealworm) slightly reduced iron absorption. While insect flours (e.g., cricket, mealworm) are rich in iron (e.g., 7-9 mg/100g), their bioavailability appears to be reduced due to chitin-related inhibition. Among infants (6-18 months old), daily supplementation with a caterpillar-based meal was associated with reduced prevalence of anemia, suggesting that total iron content may compensate for lower absorption efficiency in some contexts. Nutritional impacts vary across life stages, but clinical evidence remains limited, particularly for pregnant and lactating women, highlighting the need for further research.