According to Gram Research analysis, partially defatted cricket powder improved bone strength by 7.6% and prevented blood pressure from rising significantly in rats with high blood pressure over 4 weeks. The cricket powder worked by boosting immune cells that fight inflammation, suggesting it could help people with high blood pressure protect their bones. However, this is early animal research, and human studies are needed before doctors can recommend cricket powder as a treatment.
A new study found that eating powder made from house crickets could help strengthen bones and control blood pressure. Researchers gave one group of rats with high blood pressure cricket powder for 4 weeks while another group got nothing. The rats eating cricket powder had stronger bones and their blood pressure didn’t increase as much as the control group. The cricket powder is packed with protein, fiber, and nutrients that may help the body fight inflammation and stress. While this is early research in animals, it suggests crickets could become a useful food for people worried about bone and heart health.
Key Statistics
A 2026 animal study published in PLOS ONE found that rats receiving 300 mg/kg/day of cricket powder for 4 weeks had bone strength 7.6% higher than control rats, with yield load increasing from 77.55 to 83.58 Newtons.
In the same 14-rat study, cricket powder prevented blood pressure from rising significantly (only 8.8 mmHg increase) compared to control rats whose blood pressure jumped 15.8 mmHg over 4 weeks.
Rats eating cricket powder showed 14% higher lymphocyte counts (6.66 × 10³/µL) compared to controls (5.75 × 10³/µL), suggesting enhanced immune function may mediate the bone-protective effects.
The Quick Take
- What they studied: Whether powder made from house crickets could strengthen bones and lower blood pressure in animals with high blood pressure
- Who participated: 14 female rats that naturally develop high blood pressure, split into two groups of 7 each for 4 weeks
- Key finding: Rats eating cricket powder had 7.6% stronger bones and their blood pressure didn’t increase as much compared to rats that didn’t eat the powder
- What it means for you: Cricket powder might help protect bones in people with high blood pressure, but this is early-stage research in animals. More human studies are needed before doctors can recommend it as a treatment
The Research Details
Scientists divided 14 female rats with naturally high blood pressure into two equal groups. One group received 300 milligrams of partially defatted cricket powder mixed into their food each day for 4 weeks. The other group received the same food without the cricket powder. Researchers measured blood pressure using a non-invasive machine, tested bone strength by bending the thigh bone until it broke, and examined bone structure using a special CT scanner. They also counted immune cells in the blood to understand how the cricket powder affected the body’s defense system.
The study lasted exactly 4 weeks, which is relatively short for seeing long-term effects. The researchers chose to remove some fat from the cricket powder to focus on the protein and fiber benefits. They measured everything at the start and end of the study to compare changes between groups.
This research approach matters because it tests whether a natural food source could help with two major health problems at once: high blood pressure and weak bones. Using rats with naturally high blood pressure mimics what happens in humans better than using healthy animals. By measuring bone strength directly (not just looking at bone density), the study shows practical benefits that would matter for preventing fractures
This is a small animal study published in a peer-reviewed journal, which means other scientists reviewed it before publication. The sample size of 14 rats is typical for early animal research but limits how much we can generalize. The study used objective measurements like bone strength testing and automated cell counting, which reduces human error. However, animal studies don’t always translate to humans, so results should be considered preliminary
What the Results Show
The most important finding was that cricket powder helped prevent blood pressure from rising as much. In the control group, systolic blood pressure (the top number) jumped from 166.6 to 182.4 mmHg—a significant increase. In the cricket powder group, blood pressure only rose from 168.1 to 176.9 mmHg, which wasn’t a statistically significant change.
Bone strength improved noticeably in the cricket powder group. The yield load (how much force a bone can handle before breaking) was 83.58 Newtons in the cricket group versus 77.55 Newtons in the control group—about 7.6% stronger. The bone also bent more before breaking in the cricket group (395.93 micrometers) compared to controls (307.72 micrometers), showing better flexibility.
Interestingly, the cricket powder didn’t change the actual structure of the bones when examined under the microscope. Instead, it appeared to make the bone material itself stronger and more flexible, possibly through improved protein quality.
The cricket powder increased immune cell counts, which may explain some of its benefits. White blood cell counts were higher in the cricket group (7.91 × 10³/µL) than controls (6.91 × 10³/µL). Lymphocytes, a type of immune cell that fights inflammation, were also significantly higher in the cricket group (6.66 × 10³/µL) versus controls (5.75 × 10³/µL). This suggests the cricket powder may work by boosting the immune system’s ability to control inflammation, which is linked to both high blood pressure and bone loss
Previous research has shown that high blood pressure and bone loss often happen together because of inflammation and oxidative stress (cellular damage). This study supports that connection and suggests that foods rich in protein and fiber—like crickets—could address both problems simultaneously. Earlier studies on cricket protein showed benefits for muscle, but this is one of the first to specifically examine bone strength in animals with high blood pressure
The biggest limitation is that this was a rat study, not a human study. Rats’ bodies work differently than humans, and results don’t always transfer. The study only lasted 4 weeks, which is too short to know if benefits continue or if side effects develop over time. With only 14 rats total, the results could be due to chance. The study didn’t test different doses, so we don’t know if more or less cricket powder would work better. Finally, the study didn’t measure inflammation markers directly, so we’re inferring that inflammation reduction caused the benefits
The Bottom Line
Based on this animal research, cricket powder shows promise for bone health in people with high blood pressure, but it’s too early to recommend as a treatment. Current evidence level: Low (animal study only). If you’re interested in trying cricket products, consult your doctor first, especially if you take blood pressure medications. Focus on proven strategies like exercise, reducing salt, and eating vegetables while waiting for human studies
This research is most relevant to people with high blood pressure who are concerned about bone health, and to food scientists developing functional foods. It’s less relevant to people with normal blood pressure or those already taking effective blood pressure medications. Older adults and postmenopausal women with hypertension might find this particularly interesting since they face higher fracture risk
In this rat study, benefits appeared within 4 weeks. If similar effects occur in humans, you might expect to see changes in blood pressure within 4-8 weeks, though bone strength improvements typically take 3-6 months. However, human studies are needed to confirm these timelines
Frequently Asked Questions
Can eating cricket powder help lower blood pressure?
Animal research shows cricket powder may help prevent blood pressure from rising, but human studies haven’t confirmed this yet. The effect appears to work through immune system changes that reduce inflammation. More research is needed before recommending it as a blood pressure treatment.
Does cricket powder actually strengthen bones?
In rats with high blood pressure, cricket powder increased bone strength by about 7.6% over 4 weeks. The improvement came from stronger bone material, not more bone density. Human studies are needed to determine if this translates to fewer fractures in people.
How much cricket powder would a person need to eat?
The rat study used 300 mg/kg of body weight daily. For a 70 kg (154 lb) person, that would be about 21 grams per day. However, this is just a starting estimate from animal research. Actual human doses haven’t been tested yet.
Is cricket powder safe to eat?
Crickets are eaten in many cultures and are generally recognized as safe. The study showed no obvious harmful effects in rats over 4 weeks. However, people with shellfish allergies should be cautious since crickets are arthropods. Always consult your doctor before trying new supplements.
When would I see benefits from eating cricket powder?
In rats, blood pressure changes appeared within 4 weeks and bone strength improved in the same timeframe. If humans respond similarly, benefits might appear in 4-8 weeks for blood pressure and 3-6 months for bone strength, but this hasn’t been tested in people yet.
Want to Apply This Research?
- Track daily cricket powder or cricket product consumption (in grams) alongside weekly blood pressure readings and a bone health score (self-reported joint pain, flexibility, or fall risk)
- Add 5-10 grams of cricket powder to smoothies, yogurt, or baked goods daily while maintaining a consistent exercise routine and monitoring blood pressure weekly
- Log cricket powder intake and blood pressure weekly for 8 weeks, then monthly. Track any changes in bone-related symptoms like joint pain or balance. Share results with your doctor to assess whether cricket products are helping your specific situation
This research is preliminary animal-based evidence and has not been tested in humans. Cricket powder should not replace prescribed blood pressure or bone health medications. Consult your healthcare provider before adding cricket products to your diet, especially if you have allergies, take medications, or have existing health conditions. Results from animal studies do not always translate to humans. This article is for informational purposes only and should not be considered medical advice.
This research translation is published by Gram Research, the science division of Gram, an AI-powered nutrition tracking app.