Doctor Reveals Latest Dairy Alternative, and It Gives ‘Bug Juice’ a Whole New Meaning

When you were young, did you go to summer camp? If so, were you served a somewhat bland red beverage known as Bug Juice? It wasn't very appealing, as I remember it, and it was definitely made with various artificial ingredients. But after seeing this new drink, it no longer sounds so bad.

I'm unsure if anything could convince me that this new dairy alternative should even be classified as food. Watch this video shared on July 2 to see what you may soon find in grocery stores.

This drink doesn't sound appetizing. Doctor Saladino (@ paulsaladinomd2 ) reports that milk produced from black soldier fly larvae is the latest in dairy alternatives. Its formulators claim it has a creamy mouthfeel, is rich in protein, and is better for the environment. But Dr. Saladino disagrees. As he points out, the assertion that livestock damages the environment is misleading. He reveals, "We know very well at this point that cows raised on grass throughout their lives ( Regenerative Agriculture ) actually increase carbon sequestration in the soil, so that's net negative for greenhouse gases. And it improves the entire ecosystem." Not to mention, making this ultra-processed bug drink must require a lot of electricity and equipment for processing, never mind the temperature-controlled environment needed to grow the bugs and the process involved in harvesting them. So, it seems it would be much easier to encourage regenerative farming, which gives cows the life they deserve and helps the earth simultaneously. He also describes that many people who cannot eat pasteurized dairy can consume raw dairy without issues, and he believes it would be a better option to try first.

Related: Doctor Runs Down Reasons Lab-Grown Meat Is Potentially Worse for the Environment Than Animals

Risks of Consuming Bugs

While other cultures may eat bugs by choice, that's never been the case here in the States, and edible insects also come with risks. According to Food Safety News, these potential problems include, "Possible food safety hazards for edible insects are biological, including bacteria, viruses, fungi, parasites, chemical hazards including mycotoxins, pesticides, heavy metals, antimicrobials, and physical hazards." People already allergic to crustaceans might also face severe allergic reactions to these bugs, and more allergies may arise from consuming them. They state, "Previous research found some reported cases of botulism in Africa attributed to insect consumption and histamine toxicity in Thailand linked to eating fried insects." However, it should be noted that safety is increased by clean farming conditions, as well as preparation methods.

Hopefully, we won't see bug products on store shelves until there is a well-accepted process for ensuring they are safe to consume. But even then, this dairy alternative might be a hard sell to the average consumer. Personally, I'll stick with good old-fashioned cow's milk.

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