Yes, cockroach milk! You read that right!
It sounds strange, but this milk-like substance produced by the Pacific beetle cockroach has caught scientists’ attention as a potential “superfood.”
Unlike most cockroaches, this species gives birth to a live offspring and nourishes them with tiny crystals of protein-rich milk. And these crystals contain a unique blend of protein, carbs, and fats that scientists say could make them one of the most nutrient-dense foods in the world.
Studies show that cockroach milk could be up to three times more nutritious than cow's milk and even surpasses buffalo and human breast milk.
Packed with all nine essential amino acids, this natural protein source is complete, offering a balanced nutrient profile that’s hard to find in other milk alternatives.
Before you imagine it on grocery store shelves, consider this: producing it is no small feat.
To get just a few cups of cockroach milk, thousands of them would have to be harvested, a process both complex and ethically questionable.
And despite the nutritional power, cockroach milk would come with a high calorie count — one cup would have roughly 700 calories!
So, while it’s packed with nutrients, consuming it in regular amounts could lead to weight gain, unlike most traditional superfoods.
This article was written by our quizmaster Surya Narayanan.
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