Cockroach Milk: Nutrition and Benefits

A type of cockroach called Diploptera punctata is the only known cockroach species to give birth to live offspring. They pump out a type of “milk” or white liquid that contains protein crystals to feed their young for nourishment.

Cockroach milk is not technically milk but a yellowish fluid that solidifies into crystals in the stomach of the cockroach.

Cockroach milk is extracted by killing female cockroaches and embryos once they start lactating and then harvesting crystals from the midgut.

According to recent studies on cockroach milk, it is not feasible to produce cockroach milk in bulk quantities because it requires killing almost 1,000 cockroaches to extract 100 mL of milk.

Cockroach milk is not commercially available yet, so the exact nutritional values have not been confirmed. However, research and studies report that cockroach milk contains the following:

• Protein: 45%
• Carbohydrates: 25%
• Fats: 16%-22%
• Amino acids: 5%

Calories in various types of milk:

• Cockroach milk: 232 kcal/100 grams
• Human milk: 60 kcal/100 grams
• Buffalo milk: 110 kcal/100 grams
• Cow milk: 66 kcal/100 grams

Rich in nutrients

Cockroach milk is rich in nutrients, including fatty acids, oleic acids, and linoleic acids. It is also rich in amino acids that help in cell growth and cell repair. 

Cockroach milk is also highly glycosylated which helps boost energy. Moreover, it is rich in fats that are not produced by the human body. The crystalline structure in this milk also helps it retain all the nutrients that may be lost during liquefaction. 

Calorie-dense

Scientists have concluded that cockroach milk is more calorie-dense than other dairy milk. It may be considered a good option for people who struggle to consume enough calories a day. 

Non-dairy

Because it is a non-dairy product, it may be an alternative option for individuals with lactose intolerance. 

Weight gain

Cockroach milk is high in calories, with about 700 calories per cup. Excess drinking of cockroach milk leads to weight gain.

Ethical concerns

There are concerns about whether it is ethical to produce cockroach milk in bulk because it requires killing almost 1,000 cockroaches to extract 100 mL of milk.

Availability

Cockroach milk is not readily available in the market.

There is no proven scientific evidence that cockroach milk is safe for human consumption.

Gourmet Grubb, a South African company, has made ice creams made out of bugs, using alternative milk that is from cockroaches. The company has been promoting bug milk ice cream as an environmentally-friendly alternative to milk produced from traditional dairy farming. 

However, more studies are needed to determine whether cockroach milk is safe for drinking.