Recent Discovery: Insect-Based Foods May Be Triggering Severe Allergies

Overview

Recently a few countries like France and Holland also have come up with new innovations to insect based foods. The European Union also had given permission for human consumption of insect based foods due to their sustainable and being eco friendly in nature. Due to their nutrient dense and rich in protein sources, many are turning into consuming insect based foods. This is a challenging and appreciating step in the development of sustainable foods but not everyone is comfortable with it, some can develop allergies.

Recent research article from NCBI also endorses the same, there are many factors that can lead to allergies in people consuming insect based foods. Today, through this blog, we will explore insect-based foods, their connection to the development of allergies, and ways to manage food allergies, including natural treatment options.

What are Insect Based Foods?

Foods made from certain insects like grasshoppers, cricket insects, ants, black soldier fly larvae, mealworms, and silkworms. These are edible and rich in natural protein sources, healthy fats, vitamins, and minerals. There are certain national dishes and novel dishes made from insects that are becoming popular nowadays. By using these insects, people are coming up with new dishes like protein bars, chocolates, pasta using insect flour, and crispy and fried snacks. Japan, Thailand, Netherlands, Ghana, and Mexico have national dishes made from insects.

Why Are We Eating Insect Based Foods?

Because Insect-Based Foods are nutrient dense, rich in proteins, healthy fats, vitamins, and minerals. They are eco-friendly, increasing sustainability as they utilise less water, and land than livestock farming and producing minimal greenhouse gases. Some countries have traditional dishes of eating insects. Some look for more sustainable natural protein sources for muscle building. But many need Food Allergy Treatment after eating insect-based foods due to below mentioned reasons.

What is the Link Between Insect Based Foods and Allergies?

Genes can play a key role in the development of allergies, for example, if insect based foods are national dishes of people, then they have the genes to digest the food and the upcoming generations may not develop any allergies. And vice versa can happen in people who have genetic predispositions for allergies, especially to proteins like tropomyosin.

Insect based food allergies can be caused due to the resemblance of the protein, tropomyosin present in the insects with the proteins of shellfish. So, people with seafood allergies can develop allergies to insect based foods. Cross reactivity can occur due to shellfish allergy. Many are not aware of proper label reading and improper labelling of allergens can also trigger allergies in sensitive individuals.

Alternatives of Insect Based Foods

Ayurveda for Food Allergy can explain a common myth that vegan foods can not make muscle and people often need animal sources of protein to get the muscle and vegan foods are not rich in nutrition and can not fulfill all our nutrient needs. But recently, Maddie Mcconnell won the Women’s Pro Figure title at the World Natural Bodybuilding Federation (WNBF) World Championships in November 2024. She credits the vegan diet she has followed since 2019 for her success.

So, there are plenty of Natural Protein Sources (Alternatives of Insect Based Foods) like Ashwagandha, Shatavari, Moringa, Legumes, Soy products, and many more which are safer and less allergenic than insect-based foods. These proteins can aid you in getting the muscle you need. Now, we will compare the Vegan Protein Diet with the Insect-Based Protein Diet. Below, we will explore their differences and benefits.

Vegan Protein Diet VS Insect Based Protein Diet

Although insect-based foods are more sustainable, eco friendly than any other protein sources, there are some cons which can negatively affect human health. Vegan protein diet has more benefits over insect based protein diet:-

Vegan foods are easily and readily available.
They are pocket friendly than insect-based foods.
Some can have ethical concerns about consuming insect based foods, but we can see no such issues with vegan foods.
Vegan protein sources are sustainable and eco friendly too than animal protein sources.
Vegan protein sources are easily digestible and hypoallergenic than any other protein source.

Awareness is needed. Many are unaware of the fact that their allergies are caused because of eating allergic foods. So, basic awareness about the hyperallergenic and hypoallergenic foods is much needed.
Proper labeling and label reading before consumption should be encouraged. Companies should bear the responsibility of labelling allergens on their packages so that people can be aware of food consumption and can make better choices.
Choosing safer alternatives. There are plenty of alternative protein sources like vegan based foods which are safer and can suit a wide range of audiences.
Role of food safety organizations in raising awareness and guidelines for food products.

Also Read:- A Case Study – Successful Ayurvedic Treatment of Food Allergy

Wrapping Up!

Insect based foods are in trend, many countries are encouraging insect farming to encourage sustainability. Although insect based foods are nutrient dense and rich in essential protein needs, not everyone can be able to cope with it. People with weak immunity and history of other allergies can develop insect based food allergy due to the presence of tropomyosin, a protein which is commonly seen in shellfish and other seafoods.

So, people who are allergic to shellfish can develop allergies to insect based foods too due to cross reactivity. We have mentioned safer vegan alternatives above so that you can easily have them and decrease the risk of allergies. If you are suffering from insect-based food allergies, book an online consultation with us today for ayurvedic treatment of food allergy.