Cockroach milk: A superfood packed with nutrients?
Category: Health, Science & Technology
Via: nerm-l • last year • 5 commentsBy: Dominic Genetti (Manistee News Advocate)
Now that's different.
S E E D E D C O N T E N T
When you think of milk, cows likely come to mind.
Some may think of plant-based alternatives like almond, oat or soy milk. Others may associate milk with goats or sheep, which are commonly used in cheese and other foods. In some parts of the world, milk can come from pigs, horses or even camels. But a cockroach? Despite sounding unusual, some reports have referred to a substance produced by certain cockroaches as a so-called superfood, though its role as a health-conscious option remains debated.
It almost sounds like a joke, even "The Simpsons" made a crack about rat's milk in one episode. But as it turns out, cockroach milk might not be a laughing matter.
Independent Online, or IOL, in South Africa, writes that cockroach milk isn't exactly something you're going to have with your cereal or coffee, but it is the milk used by mother cockroaches to feed their young; "it's a milk-like fluid secreted by female Pacific beetle cockroaches (Diploptera punctata)."
"Cockroach milk is packed with proteins, fats, and sugars that could rival, and even surpass, some of the most nutrient-rich foods we consume today," IOL writes.
But what makes cockroach milk interesting is that it crystallizes in the stomachs of cockroaches, according to a study published in 2016 by the Journal of the International Union of Crystallography, and those crystals "are loaded with proteins, amino acids, and healthy sugars that support cell growth and repair."
IOL additionally claims that "cockroach milk contains three times the calories of buffalo milk, which, up until now, was considered the most calorie-rich milk," and lists the reasons why researchers claiming cockroach milk as the next new superfood:
- Protein powerhouse: Cockroach milk is rich in complete proteins, meaning it contains all the essential amino acids your body needs to build and repair tissues.
- Healthy fats: It's packed with good fats, which are essential for energy and overall health.
- Natural sugars: The sugars in cockroach milk provide sustained energy without the crash of processed sweeteners.
- Sustainability: With food insecurity and climate change on the rise, cockroach milk offers a sustainable alternative to traditional dairy farming, which has a massive environmental footprint.
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I thought cockroaches carried disease. Is that just a myth?
Yes, cockroaches are a real health risk because they do carry disease. That's because cockroaches in the wild are scavengers that feed on decaying carrion and plant waste.
Madagascar hissing cockroaches are safely kept as pets. (And pet reptile food.) So, the risk of disease depends upon how the cockroaches are fed.