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Eating insects is quite a controversial topic. Chefs like Noma's Rene Redzepi have tried to popularize the trend by taking the 'yuck' factor out of consuming crawling critters. Now, Redzepi is getting much-needed backup from the United Nations.
The U.N.'s Food and Agriculture Organization has published a book called Edible Insects: Future Prospects for Food and Feed Security. In it, researchers make the case that eating insects may help feed our ever-growing world population which is expected to hit 9 billion by 2050.
Insects already form part of the daily diet of an estimated 2 billion people around the globe - from Mexico to Africa and Southeast Asia. So far, 1,900 species of edible insects have been identified but the list keeps growing.
Whether you think of insects as tasty or not, the fact is there are several ecological, environmental and health benefits associated with eating insects.
Researchers say insects are highly nutritious because they are high in fats, protein, vitamins, fiber and minerals. For example, the content of omega-3 and six fatty acids in mealworms is comparable to those in fish.
In terms of farming, researchers have found that insects emits fewer greenhouse gases than cattle and require less feed. Researchers also promote using edible insects as animal feed.
Do you see yourself eating insects in the future? Download on online copy of the study and judge for yourself.
WATCH: How To Make Rene Redzepi's Grasshopper Sauce
