NCT03383341: HOP

What's Hopping? Cricket Protein and Human Gut Microbiota

Completed NA Last updated 4 April 2019

What this trial tests

NA trial testing Cricket Protein Powder in Healthy in 20 participants. Completed in 10 May 2017.

Timeline

1 February 2017

Primary endpoint
10 May 2017

10 May 2017

Quick facts

Lead sponsor	Colorado State University
Phase	NA
Status	Completed
Study type	INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation	randomized
Design	crossover
Masking	triple
Primary purpose	other
Enrollment	20
Start date	1 February 2017
Primary completion	10 May 2017
Estimated completion	10 May 2017
Sites	1 location across United States

Drugs / interventions tested

• Cricket Protein Powder
• Placebo control

Conditions studied

• Healthy — all drugs for Healthy →

Sponsor

Colorado State University

Who can join

Adults 18 to 65, any sex, with Healthy. Patients with the condition only — healthy volunteers not accepted.

Sponsor's own description

Edible insects are often considered a nutritious, protein-rich, environmentally sustainable alternative to traditional meat. They represent a new food for North American consumers. While the nutrient composition of several insects is characterized, all potential health impacts have not been evaluated. Crickets contain chitin and other fibers that may influence gut health. In this study, we evaluated the effects of consuming 25 grams/day whole cricket powder on gut microbiota composition, while assessing safety and tolerability. Twenty healthy adults participated in this six-week, double-blind, crossover dietary intervention. Participants were randomized into two treatment arms and consumed either cricket-containing or control breakfast foods for 14 days, followed by a 14-day washout period and assignment to the opposite arm. Blood and stool samples were collected at baseline and after each treatment period to assess liver function and microbiota changes. Results demonstrate that cricket consumption is tolerable and non-toxic at the treatment dose. Cricket powder supported growth of the probiotic bacteria, Bifidobacterium animalis, which increased more than 5.7-fold. Cricket consumption was also associated with reduced plasma TNF-a. These data suggest that eating crickets may improve gut health and reduce systemic inflammation; however, more research is needed to understand these effects and underlying mechanisms.

Publications & conference data

1 peer-reviewed publication reference this trial (live from Europe PMC):

1. Impact of Edible Cricket Consumption on Gut Microbiota in Healthy Adults, a Double-blind, Randomized Crossover Trial.
   Stull VJ, Finer E, Bergmans RS, Febvre HP, et al · · 2018 · cited 109× · PMID 30018370 · DOI 10.1038/s41598-018-29032-2