An ancient 'superfood' sent from heaven
When you think of cockroaches, the last thing you might associate them with is a nutritious serving of milk, in your latte or flat white. But think again!
Some scientists are researching the benefits of one specific species of cockroach, that happens to make its own milk.
Found in Australia, China, Fiji, Hawaii, India, and Myanmar, it is one of the few species that has developed the trait of viviparity.
The Pacific beetle cockroach is the species that has drawn scientists attention, as it is the only known source of the debated cockroach milk.
In recent years, the idea of cockroach milk has gathered more attention, for its perceived benefits and nutrient-dense profile.
Viviparity occurs when an embryo develops inside the mother's body. It's the opposite of oviparity, where eggs are laid and hatch outside the body.
During viviparity, the Pacific beetle cockroach produces a substance packed with protein crystals. This substance is apparently more nutritious than any animal-extracted milk.
In a study published in the National Library of Medicine, researchers speculated that cockroach milk may become the next superfood.
The Pacific beetle cockroach holds the fluid resembling milk inside its body, when the female is nourishing an embryo.
However, scientists have also found that the process of extracting and creating the milk from these cockroaches is time-consuming and energy intensive.
"The crystals are like a complete food—they have proteins, fats, and sugars. If you look into the protein sequences, they have all the essential amino acids," one scientist on the team of researchers explained.
As milking a cockroach isn't feasible, researchers from the Institute of Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine in India tried to see if they could somehow replicate them in the lab.
In fact, a single one of these crystals contains three times the amount of energy found in an equivalent amount of buffalo milk (which is higher in calories than cow's milk).
While a dense protein source isn't necessary for people trying to lose weight, for those who struggle to get enough calories per day, this could be a quick and easy fix.
The protein crystals located in the midgut of the female Pacific beetle cockroach when nourishing an embryo are four times as nutritious as cow's milk.
As well as being a dense source of nutrients, the calories in the milk are time-released. This means the crystals release proteins equivalent to the rate of digestion.
To extract enough fluid to make the milk would take an army of cockroaches, something that's not particularly pleasant to think about.
What's more, in order to obtain the milk from the Pacific beetle cockroach, the cockroaches would have to die in the process.
One South African brand already makes ice cream using a form of milk it has dubbed "EntoMilk"—a non-dairy milk derived from sustainably farmed insects.
Some argue that in the face of mounting climate change, eating insects can help feed populations without damaging the environment.
Eating insects isn't limited to cockroach milk, of course. There are now insect flours and powders on the market that can be used to make bread or be taken as a food supplement.
The company, Gourmet Grubb, claims the milk has a high protein content and is rich in iron, zinc, and calcium.
It's a hard sell, though. Many of us tune out when someone mentions the possibility of using insects as our food source.
Research is also limited, as there are few studies looking at the long-term effects of consuming a diet high in insect produce.
Bovine farming is one of the biggest contributions to greenhouse gasses. Eating insects could be a sustainable way of going meat-free.
According to some reports, many dieticians are not fond of the term "superfood," as it could imply to some people that by eating one kind of food you can cancel out the effects of other lifestyle choices.
Even some milk substitutes, like almond milk, have come under fire for their sustainability, as they involve a water-intensive process. This is before considering that almonds require bees for pollination, which puts extra pressure on bee communities.
Consuming a wide variety of complex carbs, proteins, essential fats, fruits, and vegetables as part of a balanced diet means you don't need to resort to a "miracle" drink, especially one that comes from cockroaches.
Sources: (Nature World News) (The Washington Post) (Forbes) (The Independent) (ScienceAlert)
Dairy-free milk alternatives have gone from strength to strength in recent years, as people forego animal products. Some prefer not to drink dairy for environmental reasons, others are simply lactose intolerant. As people make an individual effort to do their part for climate change, our diet is one of the first places we can look at. However, many people who are trying to eat less meat might struggle to get enough protein from their diet. Cue: insects and creepy crawlies, which are naturally rich in protein. And now, it seems, you can obtain milk from a cockroach!
Dystopian, or a dairy-free delight? Click on to find out more.
Exploring cockroach milk as a potential superfood
If you're brave enough, try it!
FOOD Food fads
Dairy-free milk alternatives have gone from strength to strength in recent years, as people forego animal products. Some prefer not to drink dairy for environmental reasons, others are simply lactose intolerant. As people make an individual effort to do their part for climate change, our diet is one of the first places we can look at. However, many people who are trying to eat less meat might struggle to get enough protein from their diet. Cue: insects and creepy crawlies, which are naturally rich in protein. And now, it seems, you can obtain milk from a cockroach!
Dystopian, or a dairy-free delight? Click on to find out more.