A systematic review of the health effects of edible insects in human and mammalian nutrition

Abstract Global population growth in both humans and animals is contributing to a shortage of proteins and fats derived from traditional sources such as meat and fish. As a result, alternative food sources such as insects are gaining increased attention. Edible insects are considered an excellent source of nutrients as they contain high-quality proteins, fats and vitamins. In Europe, entomophagy is relatively new and therefore concerns about its safety, potential beneficial health effects and nutritional value need to be considered. In this work, scientific literature was systematically searched using PubMed, Web of Science and Scopus, resulting in 51 studies that examined the effects of edible insects as dietary ingredients on human and mammalian health. Findings suggest that edible insects such as black soldier fly larvae ( H. illucens ), silkworm ( B. mori ), yellow mealworm ( T. molitor ) and field cricket ( G. bimaculatus ) contain a wide range of bioactive peptides with potential antioxidant, antihypertensive, antimicrobial, immunomodulatory and anti-inflammatory properties. However, entomophagy also entails certain risks, such as allergic reactions and potential contamination with harmful substances that may pose health concerns. A clear understanding of these benefits and risks is crucial for both consumers and industry stakeholders to make informed decisions, guide future research, regulations, and the responsible integration of edible insects into a sustainable food system.