Gut microbiome and metabolic responses to cricket powder supplementation in Thai subjects with high or borderline-high LDL cholesterol: an exploratory, randomized, crossover controlled trial
Abstract
Edible insects are emerging as sustainable functional foods, yet human evidence for microbiome-mediated effects remains limited, particularly in Asian populations. Therefore, this study investigated whether cricket powder supplementation modulates gut microbiome composition and metabolic outputs in Thai subjects with high or borderline-high LDL cholesterol. In a randomized, crossover controlled trial, 17 subjects received cricket powder or control products for 21 days, separated by a 4-week washout. Gut microbiome composition was profiled using full-length 16S rRNA gene sequencing, and fecal short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) were quantified by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. Blood lipids and gastrointestinal tolerance were also assessed. As a result, cricket powder did not alter overall microbial diversity or community structure but induced targeted species-level shifts, including enrichment of Blautia faecis and Mediterraneibacter glycyrrhizinilyticus. Despite these compositional changes, fecal SCFAs remained unchanged. Notably, branched-chain SCFAs were not increased, indicating no shift toward proteolytic fermentation and preservation of microbial metabolic balance. Gastrointestinal tolerance was maintained without adverse effects. Blood lipid parameters were unchanged, with a modest trend toward increased high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C). Collectively, cricket powder induces selective microbiome remodeling without disrupting metabolic homeostasis,…
How strong is the evidence?
Evidence Hub reads this as a randomized trial. Its evidence level is 3 of 5 (Moderate · trial / cohort / secondary analysis). Trials without a large randomized design, cohorts and secondary analyses give moderate evidence. Reported size: 17 participants or records.
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