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Edible Insect Consumption for Human and Planetary Health: A Systematic Review

Author

Listed:
  • Marta Ros-Baró

    (Faculty of Health Sciences, Open University of Catalonia (UOC), 08018 Barcelona, Spain)

  • Patricia Casas-Agustench

    (Faculty of Health Sciences, Open University of Catalonia (UOC), 08018 Barcelona, Spain
    School of Health Professions, Faculty of Health, University of Plymouth, Plymouth PL4 8AA, UK)

  • Diana Alícia Díaz-Rizzolo

    (Faculty of Health Sciences, Open University of Catalonia (UOC), 08018 Barcelona, Spain
    Primary Healthcare Transversal Research Group, Institut d’Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi i Sunyer (IDIBAPS), 08018 Barcelona, Spain)

  • Laura Batlle-Bayer

    (UNESCO Chair in Life Cycle and Climate Change ESCI-UPF, Universitat Pompeu Fabra, 08003 Barcelona, Spain)

  • Ferran Adrià-Acosta

    (elBullifoundation, 08004 Barcelona, Spain)

  • Alícia Aguilar-Martínez

    (Food Lab Research Group (2017SGR 83), Faculty of Health Sciences, Open University of Catalonia (UOC), 08018 Barcelona, Spain
    Unesco Chair on Food, Culture and Development, Open University of Catalonia (UOC), 08018 Barcelona, Spain)

  • Francesc-Xavier Medina

    (Food Lab Research Group (2017SGR 83), Faculty of Health Sciences, Open University of Catalonia (UOC), 08018 Barcelona, Spain
    Unesco Chair on Food, Culture and Development, Open University of Catalonia (UOC), 08018 Barcelona, Spain)

  • Montserrat Pujolà

    (Faculty of Agri-Food Engineering and Biotechnology, Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya BarcelonaTech, 08860 Castelldefels, Spain)

  • Anna Bach-Faig

    (Food Lab Research Group (2017SGR 83), Faculty of Health Sciences, Open University of Catalonia (UOC), 08018 Barcelona, Spain
    Food and Nutrition Area, Barcelona Official College of Pharmacists, 08009 Barcelona, Spain)

Abstract

This systematic review aimed to examine the health outcomes and environmental impact of edible insect consumption. Following PRISMA-P guidelines, PubMed, Medline ProQuest, and Cochrane Library databases were searched until February 2021. Twenty-five articles met inclusion criteria: twelve animal and six human studies (randomized, non-randomized, and crossover control trials), and seven studies on sustainability outcomes. In animal studies, a supplement (in powdered form) of 0.5 g/kg of glycosaminoglycans significantly reduced abdominal and epididymal fat weight (5–40% and 5–24%, respectively), blood glucose (10–22%), and total cholesterol levels (9–10%), and a supplement of 5 mg/kg chitin/chitosan reduced body weight (1–4%) and abdominal fat accumulation (4%) versus control diets. In other animal studies, doses up to 7–15% of edible insect inclusion level significantly improved the live weight (9–33%), reduced levels of triglycerides (44%), cholesterol (14%), and blood glucose (8%), and increased microbiota diversity (2%) versus control diet. In human studies, doses up to 7% of edible insect inclusion level produced a significant improvement in gut health (6%) and reduction in systemic inflammation (2%) versus control diets and a significant increase in blood concentrations of essential and branched-chain amino acids and slowing of digestion (40%) versus whey treatment. Environmental indicators (land use, water footprint, and greenhouse gas emissions) were 40–60% lower for the feed and food of edible insects than for traditional animal livestock. More research is warranted on the edible insect dose responsible for health effects and on environmental indicators of edible insects for human nutrition. This research demonstrates how edible insects can be an alternative protein source not only to improve human and animal nutrition but also to exert positive effects on planetary health.

Suggested Citation

  • Marta Ros-Baró & Patricia Casas-Agustench & Diana Alícia Díaz-Rizzolo & Laura Batlle-Bayer & Ferran Adrià-Acosta & Alícia Aguilar-Martínez & Francesc-Xavier Medina & Montserrat Pujolà & Anna Bach-Faig, 2022. "Edible Insect Consumption for Human and Planetary Health: A Systematic Review," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(18), pages 1-29, September.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:19:y:2022:i:18:p:11653-:d:915845
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

    1. F. Xavier Medina & Francesc Fusté-Forné & Nela Filimon, 2023. "Public Awareness of Food Products, Preferences and Practices: Old Challenges and New Insights," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 20(9), pages 1-3, May.
    2. Marta Ros-Baró & Violeida Sánchez-Socarrás & Maria Santos-Pagès & Anna Bach-Faig & Alicia Aguilar-Martínez, 2022. "Consumers’ Acceptability and Perception of Edible Insects as an Emerging Protein Source," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(23), pages 1-13, November.
    3. Rafaela Flores Kuff & Thelma Lucchese-Cheung & Filipe Quevedo-Silva & Arthur Mancilla Giordani, 2023. "Building Muscles from Eating Insects," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(22), pages 1-16, November.

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