Move over almond and oat milk—there’s a new contender in the world of alternative dairy. It may sound bizarre, but scientists have discovered that cockroach milk could be one of the most nutrient-rich foods on the planet. While it’s not yet available for human consumption, researchers believe it has potential as a sustainable superfood in the future. But what exactly is cockroach milk, and why are scientists so intrigued by it?
Unlike most cockroach species, the Pacific beetle cockroach (Diploptera punctata) is unique in that it gives birth to live young rather than laying eggs. To nourish her developing embryos, the mother secretes a pale yellow milk-like substance inside her brood sac. When fed to the offspring, this liquid crystallizes inside their stomachs, forming nutrient-dense milk crystals that shimmer like glitter. These crystals are what caught the attention of researchers.
In a 2016 study published in the Journal of the International Union of Crystallography, a team of researchers led by biochemist Subramanian Ramaswamy at the Institute for Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine in Bangalore, India, took a closer look at these crystals. Their findings were astonishing.
They discovered that cockroach milk contains three times the calories of buffalo milk, which was previously the most calorie-rich mammalian milk. But beyond calories, the crystals are packed with essential proteins, amino acids, fats, and healthy sugars, making it a well-balanced, energy-dense food source. These nutrients are crucial for cell growth, repair, and overall health.
With the world looking for sustainable and nutrient-rich food alternatives, cockroach milk has the potential to play a role in future food innovations. Unlike traditional dairy farming, which requires vast amounts of land, water, and feed, insect farming has a much smaller environmental footprint.
Before you start looking for cockroach milk at your local grocery store, there are a few major barriers. The biggest challenge is production—extracting tiny amounts of milk from individual cockroaches is not exactly practical on a large scale.
Additionally, safety remains uncertain. As per a 2016 report by NPR, although one of Ramaswamy’s colleagues reportedly tasted the milk and found it to be flavorless, there is no scientific evidence yet to confirm that it is safe for human consumption. While the idea of drinking cockroach milk might be difficult for many to stomach, scientists believe it has potential. As with any superfood, it’s important to remember that it should complement, not replace, a balanced diet.
