Protein made from worms is a type of protein that is derived from the bodies of mealworms or earthworms. These worms are rich in essential amino acids, which makes them a valuable protein source. Mealworm protein is often used to produce insect protein powder, which is a commercially viable product that can be used as a protein supplement. Insect protein powder is produced by raising edible insects such as crickets, mealworms, or black soldier fly larvae in a controlled environment, ensuring they are free from harmful contaminants. These insects are then harvested, killed via a process like freezing, dried, and ground into a fine powder.
Studies have shown that mealworm protein is rich in essential amino acids, which makes it a valuable nutritional option. In fact, lesser mealworm derived protein has an amino acid composition that closely resembles protein sources such as milk or meat. Ingestion of both mealworm and milk protein concentrate increased muscle protein synthesis rates both at rest and during recovery from resistance-type exercise, with no differences between protein sources.
In conclusion, protein made from worms is a viable source of protein that can be used as a supplement. Mealworm protein is rich in essential amino acids and can be used to produce insect protein powder, which is a commercially viable product. Studies have shown that mealworm protein can increase muscle protein synthesis rates, making it a potential nutritional compensation for meat, egg, and soy-based protein sources.