The Claim
Ingestion of 30 grams of lesser mealworm protein increases postprandial muscle protein synthesis rates to a similar extent as 30 grams of milk protein in healthy young men, both at rest and during recovery from resistance exercise.
What the research says
Supports is higher
Support is ahead, but a single strong opposing study can change this.
These are independent scores, not a percentage. Higher-grade studies count more, so a single strong opposing study can outweigh several weaker ones.
Consuming 30 grams of lesser mealworm protein results in the same increase in muscle protein synthesis after eating as consuming 30 grams of milk protein in healthy young men, whether they are at rest or recovering from resistance exercise.
See the scientific wording
Ingestion of 30 grams of lesser mealworm protein increases postprandial muscle protein synthesis rates to a similar extent as 30 grams of milk protein in healthy young men, both at rest and during recovery from resistance exercise, indicating that insect-derived protein can stimulate muscle anabolism comparably to conventional animal protein.
When a person eats 30 grams of lesser mealworm protein, the body breaks it down into amino acids like leucine, which enter the bloodstream and travel to muscles. Leucine turns on a key molecular switch called mTORC1, which tells the muscle cells to start building new proteins using those amino acids. This process happens just as effectively as when milk protein is eaten, leading to the same rate of muscle protein growth.
What the research says
1 studyThe study found that eating 30 grams of mealworm protein builds muscle after exercise just as well as drinking 30 grams of milk protein in young men — so insects can be just as good as dairy for muscle growth.
Score breakdown, mechanism chain, raw evidence, ideal studies needed & 1 supporting studies
Not medical advice. For informational purposes only. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional before making health decisions.