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Edible Insect Consumption for Human and Planetary Health: A Systematic Review
Marta Ros-Baró1, Patricia Casas-Agustench1,2, Diana Alícia Díaz-Rizzolo1,3
1Faculty of Health Sciences, Open University of Catalonia (UOC), 08018 Barcelona, Spain.
International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health
|September 23, 2022
Summary
Edible insect consumption offers significant health benefits, including improved gut health and reduced inflammation. Insects also present a sustainable protein source with a lower environmental impact than traditional livestock.
Area of Science:
- Nutritional Science
- Environmental Science
- Food Science
Background:
- Edible insects are increasingly recognized as a sustainable protein source.
- Understanding their health impacts and environmental footprint is crucial for widespread adoption.
Purpose of the Study:
- To systematically review the health outcomes and environmental impact of edible insect consumption.
- To synthesize findings from animal and human studies on edible insects' nutritional and health effects.
- To evaluate the sustainability of edible insects compared to conventional livestock.
Main Methods:
- Systematic literature search of PubMed, Medline ProQuest, and Cochrane Library until February 2021, following PRISMA-P guidelines.
- Inclusion of 25 articles: 12 animal studies, 6 human studies (RCTs, non-RCTs, crossover trials), and 7 sustainability outcome studies.
- Analysis of health effects (body composition, metabolic markers, gut health, amino acid profiles) and environmental indicators (land use, water footprint, GHG emissions).
Main Results:
- Animal studies showed insect-derived supplements (glycosaminoglycans, chitin/chitosan) reduced fat, glucose, and cholesterol. Insect inclusion diets improved live weight, reduced triglycerides, cholesterol, and blood glucose, and increased microbiota diversity.
- Human studies indicated insect inclusion improved gut health and reduced systemic inflammation, while increasing essential amino acids and slowing digestion compared to whey.
- Environmental indicators for edible insects were 40-60% lower than traditional livestock for land use, water footprint, and greenhouse gas emissions.
Conclusions:
- Edible insects represent a viable alternative protein source with dual benefits for human/animal nutrition and planetary health.
- Further research is needed to determine optimal edible insect dosages for health effects and refine environmental impact assessments for human nutrition.
- Edible insect consumption contributes positively to both human well-being and environmental sustainability.
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