10 Amazing Health Benefits of Sago Worm
The sago palm caterpillar (Rhynchophorus Ferrugineus) is the larva of the red palm beetle. It is a nutritious food source found in the remains of the sago palm stalks after farmers remove the sago palm starch.
This insect belongs to the family Dryophthoridae, and to the genus Rhynchophorus, which includes 10 species, found mainly on palm, coconut, and date palm species.
Sorghum caterpillars are the larvae of the red palm beetle and so another concern is whether it is safe to eat the insect.? Yes, that’s right! Studies show that insects are a very valuable and essential source of vitamins and minerals such as calcium, protein, fat, etc.
Researchers and nutritionists have also demonstrated that some edible insects have a nutritional profile comparable to that of fish and meat.
These worms are known to have amazing health benefits. When cooked and eaten, people say they taste like meat and even chicken. Most of us probably freak out at the thought of eating worms and perhaps wonder how nutritious they can be.
In this article, we’ll discuss that and more. Not all worms are edible because some are harmful and some are beneficial like the sorghum worm also known as coconut worm, sorghum worm, or palm weevil.
Since food security is currently a major issue in many underdeveloped and developing countries, many people are now looking for alternative food sources. Some countries like Africa, South America, Mexico,o and Asia consider insect eating a common practice since most of these edible insects are readily available to humans.
In addition to being the main source of food for most people, sorghum is a major source of income for many households, especially in rural communities. The sorghum caterpillar is the larva of the red palm weevil, a species of snout beetle whose scientific name is Rhynchophorus Ferrugineus. According to the researchers, this insect belongs to the family Dryophthoridae, subfamily Rhynchophorina,e, and tribe Rhynchophorini.
In this article, the 10 amazing health benefits of sago Worms will be extensively discussed. The sago worm is a very rich source of protein, amino acids, oils, carbohydrates, and minerals. It also contains fiber.
Research has shown that worms are a rich source of magnesium, calcium, zinc, iron, potassium, phosphorus, fatty acids, fats, fiber, and carbohydrates. It also contains fatty acids such as palmitic acid and stearic acid.
10 Amazing health benefits of Sago Worm
Used in cooking
One way to get the optimal nutrients found in coconut worms is through consumption. As mentioned earlier, these worms come in different recipes so you can make them to your liking.
They can be eaten raw, roasted, fried, and even grilled. They can be added as a side dish or in stews or soups, depending on your preference.
Good for digestion
The fiber in sorghum helps digest food, preventing the risk of constipation and bloating. It can also be easy to digest and boost metabolism. This is one of the health benefits of sago worms.
Used for medicinal purposes
Simply put, some of the drugs we consume are made from these worms. The sago worm contains fatty acids such as linoleic acid, palmitic acid, and stearic acid which are used in many pharmaceutical companies.
Worms are also rich in amino acids such as aspartic acid, arginine, isoleucine, alanine, lysine, and tyrosine.
Strengthens bones and teeth
Sago worms are rich in minerals such as calcium and magnesium, which help keep bones and teeth strong. They allow you to diversify your nutritional intake and provide you with many essential nutrients.
Rich Protein Source
As we all know, protein is essential for the body. Since sago worms contain a lot of the same protein as eggs, they serve the same purpose.
That is to say, build old fabrics and create new ones. One study investigated protein analysis of sorghum worms and found that the worms have a high protein content in the larval stage.
Reheated Sago is said to have roughly the same nutritional protein content as soybeans. They also contain low cholesterol.
Lowers Blood Sugar
Coconut worms are a healthy food for diabetics as they are low in sugar and are believed to help maintain sugar levels.
They also help lower cholesterol levels and reduce the risk of other diseases. This is one of the health benefits of sago worms.
Fights Microbial Infections
Medical studies have shown that worms provide a protective barrier against microorganisms due to their antibacterial properties. Worms are said to be rich in iron and zinc. This is one of the health benefits of sago worms.
The researcher investigated the antibacterial activity of the epidermal surfaces of adults, larvae, and eggs. They tested this activity against Gram-positive bacteria Bacillus subtilis (Ehrenberg) Cohn and Bacillus thuringiensis Berliner, Gram-negative bacteria Escherichia coli Escherich and the insect pathogenic fungi Beauveria bassiana (Balsamo) Vuillemin and Metarhizium anisopliae (Metchnikoff) Sorokin.
Analysis with hemolysis of R. ferrugineus infected with Pseudomonas aeruginosa (Schroter) Migula, Staphylococcus aureus Rosenbach, and E. coli. Research shows the presence of polar substances on the bodies of adults and larvae of the red palm weevil. Therefore, they provide a protective barrier against microorganisms due to their antibacterial properties.
Culinary Uses
Coconut worms or red weevil larvae are considered safe and nutritious delicacies. Different countries have different recipes for sorghum, for example, it can be eaten raw or fried, roasted, steamed, grilled, grilled, baked, breaded, and fried.
Sorghum worms can also be used to make stews, soups, sorghum salads, sorghum skewers, sorghum skewers, sago satay, and sorghum pudding.
It can also be coated with sorghum flour before frying. Delicious sago worms are also served at events, ceremonies, festivals, and special occasions. In Vietnam, coconut worm larvae are called coconut worms or coconut beetle larvae. People usually eat it raw with fish sauce.
Vitamin and mineral sources
They are a good source of minerals like copper, magnesium, calcium, potassium, iron, and zinc. Vitamins including vitamin B12, vitamin B6, riboflavin, niacin, and vitamin E are abundant in them. This is one of the health benefits of sago worms.
Unsaturated fatty acid source
In addition to having more polyunsaturated fatty acids, unsaturated fatty acids predominate in edible palm weevil larvae.
It contains linoleic and alpha-linoleic acids, two essential fatty acids that are particularly crucial for the growth and development of children and infants. This is one of the health benefits of sago worms.
Conclusion
Sago worms are a tasty dietary source that has a lot of health advantages. For the peasant farmers in rural areas and villages, they can be a source of food and revenue. There are quite good amazing health benefits of sago worms.
The health benefits of sago worm across different fields. And the health benefits of sago worms are not restricted to a particular age. You can include them in your diet right now.
