amino acid Amino Acids Oral

Cricket Protein

A complete, sustainable protein source derived from edible crickets, containing all essential amino acids and micronutrients like B12 and iron.

Sci.Acheta domesticus, Gryllodes sigillatus Insect protein Entomoprotein Cricket flour Cricket powder
2 forms
Oral

About Cricket Protein

Cricket protein is a complete protein derived from the processing of edible crickets, primarily Acheta domesticus and Gryllodes sigillatus. It is considered a sustainable alternative to traditional animal proteins due to its high feed conversion efficiency, low water and land use, and lower greenhouse gas emissions. It contains all nine essential amino acids, is rich in micronutrients like vitamin B12, iron, and zinc, and contains dietary fiber (chitin) from the exoskeleton.

Official resources

Fact sheets from the NIH Office of Dietary Supplements related to this ingredient group.

At a glance

Approval status

GRAS (Generally Recognized as Safe) for specific cricket species (e.g., Acheta domesticus) as a food ingredient in certain jurisdictions; regulated as a novel food in others.

Compare All Forms

2 forms

Compare supplement forms of Cricket Protein by absorption quality and what your body actually gets from each:

High Moderate Low
Form Absorption Steps to absorb Notes Action
Cricket Protein

Sustainable complete protein source

  • Label category: Natural (Cricket)
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Defatted Cricket Protein Concentrate

Sustainable complete protein source; contains all essential...

  • Label category: natural
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Also appears on labels as

Additional names seen on supplement labels for forms of this ingredient (beyond the main aliases above).

Cricket protein powder, Defatted cricket powder, Edible Cricket Powder, Edible cricket protein, Insect protein concentrate, Insect Protein Powder

Type: Amino Acids

Building blocks of proteins. Essential amino acids must be obtained from diet, while non-essential can be synthesized by the body.

Absorption: Amino acids are generally well-absorbed. Some forms (like citrulline) are more effective than others (like arginine).

Interactions: Generally safe but high doses can cause digestive issues. Some amino acids can affect neurotransmitter levels.

Watch out for

Possible interactions or cautions — talk to a healthcare provider if unsure.

  • Potential for allergic reactions in individuals with shellfish or dust mite allergies due to cross-reactivity with tropomyosin and chitin.

Potential Benefits

Benefits associated with Cricket Protein forms:

Protein Intake Gut Health Support Complete Protein Source Sustainable Nutrition Source of Micronutrients Micronutrient Rich

Potential Side Effects

Side effects associated with Cricket Protein forms:

Allergic Reaction How serious: Moderate Shellfish Cross-Reactivity (possible) How serious: Mild Gastrointestinal Discomfort How serious: low

What does the research say?

Research indicates cricket protein is a high-quality, complete protein source with a PDCAAS (Protein Digestibility Corrected Amino Acid Score) comparable to soy protein. Studies show it supports muscle protein synthesis, may improve gut health via chitin, and has anti-inflammatory properties. Nutritional analyses confirm rich content of essential amino acids, iron, and B12. Environmental lifecycle assessments highlight significantly lower resource use than beef, pork, or chicken.