Analysis of the Effect Size of Insect Foods on Metabolic Syndrome-Related Indicators

This study conducted a meta-analysis of 35 relevant articles published from 2003 to 2023 to quantify the effect sizes of three insect foods (silkworm, white-grub, and two-spotted cricket) on metabolic syndrome-related indicators, focusing on serum lipids and liver function markers such as alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST).The effect size on serum triglycerides followed the order of two-spotted cricket (1.715), silkworm (1.445) and white-grub (0.958).The effect size on serum total cholesterol followed the order of silkworm (1.936), two-spotted cricket (1.455), and white-grub (0.688).The effect size on serum high-density lipoprotein-cholesterol was ranked in the order of two-spotted cricket (1.276), white-grub (1.161), and silkworm (1.037).The effect size on serum low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol followed the order of silkworm (2.321), two-spotted cricket (1.857), and white-grub (1.132).The effect sizes for liver function markers were observed in the following order: in the case of serum AST, two-spotted cricket (1.954), white-grub (1.103), and silkworm (0.897), in the case of serum ALT, two-spotted cricket (1.912), silkworm (1.517), and white-grub (1.377).In conclusion, this study suggests that insect foods (silkworm, white-grub, and two-spotted cricket) are useful for improving metabolic health.The observed positive effect sizes on serum lipids and liver function markers warrant further investigation into their potential application as functional food ingredients to prevent and alleviate metabolic syndrome symptoms.