Open AccessEdible insects: A novel nutritious, functional, and safe food alternative
Author(s) -
Giampieri Francesca,
AlvarezSuarez José M.,
Machì Michele,
Cianciosi Danila,
NavarroHortal Maria D.,
Battino Maurizio
Publication year - 2022
Publication title -
food frontiers
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
ISSN - 2643-8429
DOI - 10.1002/fft2.167
Subject(s) - context (archaeology) , microbiology and biotechnology , consumption (sociology) , business , natural resource economics , risk analysis (engineering) , biology , economics , social science , paleontology , sociology
In a world where 1 billion people suffer from hunger, lands and seas are overexploited and production systems are unsustainable, and there is an urgent need to find alternative foods. In this context, insects represent a good source of macro‐ and micronutrients and even bioactive compounds that could contribute to reducing nutritional deficiency and preventing some human diseases. However, some aspects related to their consumption, including health risks, need to be clarified. This communication aims to summarize the nutritional/phytochemical profile of common edible insects and the main safety concerns, highlighting the possible strategies to promote entomophagy in a more conscious way.