Although many individuals still find the concept of consuming insects unappealing, this study highlighting the advantages of eating bugs may encourage hesitant consumers to reconsider. This isn’t the first research to reveal the benefits of insect consumption. The Food and Agriculture Organization notes that insects are rich in proteins, minerals, vitamins, and fatty acids, with at least 2 billion people worldwide regularly incorporating them into their diets. In this study, researchers utilized ground insects and invertebrates, ensuring that their wings, paws, and stingers were removed. The orange juice used as a comparison was freshly squeezed from locally sourced oranges. After laboratory processing, the water-soluble extracts were evaluated for antioxidant activity, demonstrating that insects possess significantly higher levels of antioxidants.
The outcomes of this research could have profound implications for the insect industry. It suggests that edible insects and invertebrates serve as an excellent source of bioactive ingredients alongside high-quality proteins, minerals, vitamins, and fatty acids, including essential nutrients like calcium and magnesium. Other studies have similarly indicated that consuming insects has long been beneficial for humans. As research continues to affirm the safety and potential health benefits of insect consumption, it may shift consumer perceptions.
Insects could also attract consumers due to their environmental advantages. A recent investigation found that insect cells may be ideal candidates for inclusion in cultured meat and other innovative food products. With sustainable food production gaining importance among consumers, this aspect could motivate more companies to incorporate insects into their offerings. The researchers stated that these findings could also be instrumental from a public health perspective, potentially aiding in the development of science-based campaigns to promote insect consumption.
Despite the prevalent aversion to eating insects in Western cultures, several companies have made strides in this field by incorporating them into retail products. Brands like Chirps, Bitty Foods, and Exo are utilizing crickets in various offerings, and this trend appears to be on the rise. MOM’s Organic Market began selling insect-containing products in 2017, branding them as “sustainable protein.” However, research from Wageningen University revealed that approximately half of the respondents remain unwilling to consume insects in any form, whether as incorporated ingredients or whole.
Whether the relatively high antioxidant levels will persuade anyone to eat grasshoppers, silkworms, and crickets remains to be seen as the news of the study circulates. Many consumers are likely to prefer antioxidant-rich options like blue bonnet, grain bran, coffee fruit, or botanical extracts from turmeric and cranberry seed over a handful of edible insects. Nevertheless, this segment will likely continue to witness the emergence of new products, given the ample supply, high sustainability factor, and impressive claims regarding protein and nutrients, including valuable components such as calcium and magnesium.
According to Global Market Insights, the global edible insect market could surpass $522 million by 2023, with beetles, grasshoppers, locusts, and crickets driving much of the growth. As negative perceptions gradually diminish, this could become a lucrative opportunity for food manufacturers.