The Claim

Thirty grams of lesser mealworm protein results in a phenylalanine release efficiency into circulation of 73% ± 7% over five hours, which is not significantly different from the 77% ± 7% efficiency observed with milk protein, indicating comparable amino acid bioavailability between insect and dairy protein sources.

Source: Insects are a viable protein source for human consumption: from insect protein digestion to postprandial muscle protein synthesis in vivo in humans: a double-blind randomized trial

What the research says

Supports is higher

Support is ahead, but a single strong opposing study can change this.

Supports
72score
Challenges
0score

These are independent scores, not a percentage. Higher-grade studies count more, so a single strong opposing study can outweigh several weaker ones.

Quantitative
1 study reviewed
In plain English

When consumed in a 30-gram dose, lesser mealworm protein releases phenylalanine into the bloodstream at a rate of 73% ± 7% over five hours, which is statistically similar to the 77% ± 7% rate from milk protein.

See the scientific wording

Thirty grams of lesser mealworm protein is digested and absorbed with 73% ± 7% efficiency of phenylalanine release into circulation over five hours, which is not significantly different from the 77% ± 7% efficiency of milk protein, demonstrating comparable bioavailability of amino acids from insect and dairy sources.

Why this might work

When a person eats 30 grams of lesser mealworm protein, enzymes in the stomach and pancreas break it down into individual amino acids like phenylalanine and leucine. These amino acids are pulled from the gut into the bloodstream through specific transporters, and their levels rise quickly and stay elevated for several hours. The amount of phenylalanine that enters the blood from mealworm protein is nearly the same as from milk protein, meaning both sources deliver amino acids to the body with similar efficiency.

Verified mechanismbased on 1 study

What the research says

1 study

  1. Study: Insects are a viable protein source for human consumption: from insect protein digestion to postprandial muscle protein synthesis in vivo in humans: a double-blind randomized trial

    The study found that when people ate 30 grams of mealworm protein, their bodies absorbed almost as many amino acids as when they ate 30 grams of milk protein — 73% vs. 77% — and the difference was too small to matter. So, mealworms work just as well as milk for getting protein into your bloodstream.

Score breakdown, mechanism chain, raw evidence, ideal studies needed & 1 supporting studies

Fit Body Science verdict — we translate health claims into clear verdicts backed by peer-reviewed research.

Not medical advice. For informational purposes only. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional before making health decisions.