Insect‐Derived Bioactives for Glycemic Control and Gut Health: A Review

Amid the escalating global burden of type 2 diabetes mellitus and a growing demand for sustainable, natural functional food ingredients, this review critically evaluates the emerging promise of bioactive compounds derived from edible insects. These compounds, which include peptides, polysaccharides, and fatty acids, have been shown to have significant potential as natural regulators of glycemic levels and enhancers of gastrointestinal health. This suggests that insects could be a valuable resource for the development of next‐generation functional foods and nutraceuticals. Insect bioactive compounds modulate glycemia through multifaceted mechanisms: (i) inhibiting carbohydrate‐digesting enzymes, (ii) competitively inhibiting intestinal glucose transporters, (iii) enhancing insulin signaling and sensitivity, and (iv) promoting hepatic glycogen synthesis. Crucially, these compounds exert profound beneficial effects on gut health, including restoring beneficial gut microbiota composition, and modulating key metabolic axes. These gut‐centric effects are intrinsically linked to their systemic metabolic benefits, underpinning improvements beyond glycemia in immune, cardiovascular, hepatic, and neurological functions observed in preclinical models. Preliminary safety assessment indicates low toxicity, with no adverse effect levels (NOAELs) observed in subchronic rodent studies, that is, a maximum NOAEL of 3000 mg/kg bw/day. To unlock their full potential for practical applications, future research must prioritize enhancing bioavailability through tailored food processing strategies and explore diverse insect species and life stages. This comprehensive analysis provides timely insights to guide the development of innovative, sustainable, insect‐based functional foods and nutraceuticals aimed at integrated diabetes management and gut health promotion.