Eating Crickets: A Zinc Boost for Kids in Kenya

Ever thought insects could be the key to fighting nutrient deficiencies? Researchers in Kenya explored this idea by feeding young children meals with zinc-rich house crickets and tracking how much zinc their bodies absorbed. The kids, aged 2 to 3 years old, participated in a study from September to November 2021. They were given different meals on separate days, each containing either whole crickets or cricket flour, all labeled with non-harmful zinc isotopes. The main goal was to compare how much zinc the kids' bodies could absorb from these meals.Meals with whole crickets showed a significant boost in zinc absorption compared to meals with low zinc levels. No serious side effects were noticed. So, it turns out that edible house crickets are not just a protein source, but also a great way to get more absorbable zinc. This study was registered with the Pan African Clinical Trials Registry under the number PACTR202104533831364.