Health
Could eating insects save the world?
Eating insects could help sustain Earth's booming population and save the planet, as Museum scientist Dr Duncan Sivell reveals.
It is interesting to know that more than 2 billion people around the world already depend upon insects as a part of their regular diet, added the scientist.
Dr Sivell arranged a late-night event in the museum in which the visitors were challenged with a unique culinary experience: beverage testing with edible insects.
They're also low in fat and a good source of protein - A 100-gramme portion of crickets can contain as much as 69 grams of protein. 'Insects are nutritionally comparable to meat,' says Dr Sivell.
'We wanted to use the event to draw attention to a food source that will become more common in the West,' continued Dr Sivell.
Insects are generally rich in vitamins like iron and zinc, as well as essential fatty acids like Omega-3.
Apart from the quick energy boost and healthier lifestyle, eating insects could also provide an economically sustainable way of life as people don’t have to spend much on other expensive ways of food production.
With Earth's population estimated to grow from seven billion to around nine billion by 2050, the growing demand for sustainable protein sources has put entomophagy in the spotlight.
According to estimates by the United Nations' Food and Agriculture Organization, the livestock industry could account for roughly 70% of the planet's agricultural land, with as much as 33% of all cropland is used to grow food for livestock.
In comparison, Dr Sivell says, cultivating insects requires less space, less feed, and generates less greenhouse gas.
And with the future issues, we're going to have, and the energy and land required to maintain our current food consumption, eating insects are going to happen, according to Dr Sivell.