Scientists say that insect protein can slow obesity and improve health
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A new study in mice shows that the potential protein replacement of mealybugs in high-fat diets has positive health effects. Sci Tech Daily writes about it. The experiment was conducted by scientists from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. It proves that protein replacement can slow weight gain, improve immune response, reduce inflammation and improve metabolism. “We knew from previous research in roosters that mealybugs are a high-quality, digestible source of protein that is also environmentally sustainable,” said lead study author Kelly Swanson, a professor in the Department of Animal Science and interim director of the Division of Nutritional Sciences in the College of Agricultural, Consumer and Environmental Sciences (ACES). Photo: ollo/Gettyimages.com Her team fed mice a high-fat diet — 46 percent of calories from fat — with casein, a dairy protein. This diet lasted for 12 weeks. Then there was a transition to alternative proteins. At the same time, another group was fed a lean diet with casein throughout the experiment. When it came to replacing the worms, the high-fat diet group was already obese and had certain conditions that increased the risk of heart attack, diabetes and other health problems. After that, 2 species began to eat khrushchak in the form of a dried powder, which is similar to flour. In the diet, it replaced 50 or 100% of casein. After 8 weeks, the researchers measured body weight, its composition, metabolites, gene expression of the liver and adipose tissue. The scientists found that the protein of the flour cracker did not cause weight loss in obese mice. However, the rate of weight gain was slowed when compared to the group consuming the high-fat diet with casein. The researchers also noticed an improvement in the lipid profile of the blood. In terms of gene expression, inflammation was reduced and some lipid and glucose metabolism genes were altered. Some positive changes were associated with chitin. This fibrous material gives strength to the insect’s exoskeleton. Its role is not yet well understood, but it acts as fiber by stimulating beneficial microbial activity in the gut. During the experiment, wild-type mice were used, which gained weight in the same way as humans: with the help of a diet. Currently, mealybug protein is not approved by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA). At the same time, cricket flour, which is used in food products, is available to US citizens. Previously, we talked about various products that can be used to replace meat. Read also: Diet without salt can reduce the risk of heart problems by 20% – scientists
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