Impact of edible cricket consumption on gut microbiota in healthy adults, a double-blind, randomized crossover trail

Authors: STULL, VALERIEJ - University Of Wisconsin; FINER, ELIJAH - Colorado State University; BERMANS, RACHEL - University Of Michigan; FEBVRE, HALLIE - Colorado State University; LONGHURST, COLIN - University Of Wisconsin; Manter, Daniel; PATZ, JOHNATHAN - University Of Wisconsin; WEIR, TIFFANY - Colorado State University

Submitted to: Scientific Reports
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 6/29/2018
Publication Date: 7/17/2018
Citation: Stull, V., Finer, E., Bermans, R.S., Febvre, H., Longhurst, C., Manter, D.K., Patz, J., Weir, T.L. 2018. Impact of edible cricket consumption on gut microbiota in healthy adults, a double-blind, randomized crossover trail. Scientific Reports. 8(10762):1-13. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-018-29032-2.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-018-29032-2

Interpretive Summary: Edible insects are often considered a nutritious, protein-rich, environmentally sustainable alternative to traditional meat. In this study, we evaluated the effects of consuming 25 grams/day whole cricket powder on gut microbiota composition, while assessing safety and tolerability. We provide evidence that cricket supplementation selectively changes the gut microbial and metabolite environment, but it does not dramatically shift the global gut microbiota after a 14-day dietary intervention. Similarly, we demonstrate that cricket consumption is safe over the study period and was not associated with major GI side-effects. These findings support the need for future studies to evaluate the health impacts of edible insects, beyond their nutritional value, on human microbiota in populations at risk for malnutrition or environmental enteropathy. Further scrutiny is justified to determine how these observed changes translate into health outcomes. Studies with greater sample sizes, longer durations, and variable doses of insect consumption are Warranted. It would also be prudent to evaluate the impact of isolated insect chitin on the gut, and to compare these findings with other studies that have investigated chitin from other sources. Lastly, we propose epidemiological studies of entomophagy among diverse populations that already consume insects to measure population level effects of consumption on the microbiome.

Technical Abstract: Edible insects are often considered a nutritious, protein-rich, environmentally sustainable alternative to traditional meat. They represent a novel food for North American consumers. While the nutrient composition of several insects is characterized, all potential health impacts have not been evaluated. Crickets contain chitin and other fibers that may influence gut health. In this study, we evaluated the effects of consuming 25 grams/day whole cricket powder on gut microbiota composition, while assessing safety and tolerability. Twenty healthy adults participated in this six-week, double-blind, crossover dietary intervention. Participants were randomized into two treatment arms and consumed either cricket-containing or control breakfast foods for 14 days, followed by a 14-day washout period and assignment to the opposite arm. Blood and stool samples were collected at baseline and after each treatment period to assess liver function and microbiota changes. Results demonstrate that cricket consumption is tolerable and non-toxic at the treatment dose. Cricket powder supported growth of the probiotic bacteria, Bifidobacterium animalis, which increased more than 5.7-fold. Cricket consumption was also associated with reduced plasma TNF-a. These data suggest that eating crickets may improve gut health and reduce systemic inflammation; however, more research is needed to understand these effects and underlying mechanisms.