The New Challenge of Sports Nutrition: Accepting Insect Food as Dietary Supplements in Professional Athletes

This study explores the acceptance of cricket flour-based protein bars among Italian professional athletes, focusing on their motivations and the impact of educational interventions on their willingness to consume such products. The research involved 61 professional athletes who regularly use dietary supplements, despite generally poor nutrition knowledge. Participants were surveyed about their dietary habits, food neophobia, and attitudes towards eating insects.

The findings revealed that high protein content and curiosity about the texture were major factors driving interest in cricket protein bars. Conversely, disgust was a significant deterrent. Notably, food neophobia, which increased with age, was linked to lower willingness to endorse or try these bars. Male athletes showed more openness to endorsing the product than females.

An educational component providing information about the nutritional and environmental benefits of consuming edible insects notably increased the athletes' willingness to try these protein bars. This suggests that informed athletes could be effective endorsers, potentially influencing public acceptance of insect-based foods.

This research underscores the potential of using professional athletes as influencers to promote insect-based nutrition, given their positive societal image and impact on public dietary choices, especially as athletes are known for their higher protein requirements and influence over public health trends.