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What's Hopping? Cricket Protein and Human Gut Microbiota

NCT03383341 · Status: COMPLETED · Phase: NA · Type: INTERVENTIONAL · Enrollment: 20

Last updated 2019-04-04

No results posted yet for this study

Summary

Edible insects are often considered a nutritious, protein-rich, environmentally sustainable alternative to traditional meat. They represent a new 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.

Conditions

  • Healthy

Interventions

DIETARY_SUPPLEMENT

Cricket Protein Powder

Cricket powder was supplied by Entomo farms and consists of roasted and milled whole crickets.

OTHER

Placebo control

Placebo controls consisted of intervention foods (muffin and smoothie powder packet) that were visually and organoleptically similar to cricket-containing foods but contained no cricket powder.

Sponsors & Collaborators

  • University of Wisconsin, Madison

    collaborator OTHER

  • Colorado State University

    lead OTHER

Study Design

Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
OTHER
Masking
TRIPLE
Model
CROSSOVER

Eligibility

Min Age
18 Years
Max Age
65 Years
Sex
ALL
Healthy Volunteers
Yes

Timeline & Regulatory

Start
2017-02-01
Primary Completion
2017-05-10
Completion
2017-05-10

Countries

  • United States

Study Locations

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Read the full study record

This page highlights key information. For complete eligibility criteria, study locations, investigator contacts, and the full protocol, visit the original record on ClinicalTrials.gov.

View NCT03383341 on ClinicalTrials.gov