Clinical Research Directory

Insect vs Animal Protein for Building Muscle

This research is being carried out to investigate the potential of insects (crickets) as a sustainable protein source for supporting human muscle tissue by comparing cricket protein to a commonly used animal protein (whey). Insects have been used as protein source for many years in East-Asian and African cultures. More recently the interest in this potential protein source has been growing in Western countries due to the negative environmental impact of producing animal foods and the increased awareness of animal welfare issues in the food chain. Insects are a more sustainable protein source, requiring less land, water and feed, and producing less carbon emissions (greenhouse gases) compared to farming livestock (e.g. cows, pigs, chickens etc.) However, up until now there is no clear evidence that insect-derived protein has the same nutritional properties as animal-derived protein. Recent data from our research group indicates that there appears to be no difference in the digestibility of an insect protein compared to a traditional animal protein amongst younger, middle-aged and older adults. The investigators now want to explore the potential of insect protein to increase muscle mass and strength.