What is silkworm pupa?
Silkworm pupa is a type of insect commonly used as food in our country because it contains many nutrients. In 100g of silkworm pupa, there is 79.7g of water, 13g of protein, 6.5g of fat, and provides up to 206 calories. Silkworm pupa is also a food that contains many vitamins A, B1, B2, PP, C… Especially, this food contains many essential amino acids such as valine, tyrosine, tryptophan… and minerals, especially calcium (40 mg) and phosphorus (109 mg), which bring many health benefits. In Traditional Medicine, silkworm pupa is called tam dung, which has a sweet, salty, fatty, neutral taste and is not toxic. This medicine is very nutritious and has the effect of nourishing the intestines.
The effects of eating silkworm pupa in treating diseases
Preventing rickets and malnutrition in children: According to nutrition experts, silkworm pupa is very good for children. Because they contain a lot of calcium and phosphorus necessary for the development of the body, and also have the effect of preventing rickets and malnutrition.
Beneficial for people with kidney disease: The elderly with weak kidneys, frequent urination, constipation who regularly eat silkworm pupa can also improve their health. Especially, silkworm pupa combined with garlic chives helps nourish the kidneys, used to treat urinary incontinence, back pain, knee fatigue, fatigue in the legs, cold feet; good for digestion; tonify the lungs, relieve phlegm, treat physical weakness, old age, and impotence…
Good for joint disease: In addition, according to Traditional Chinese Medicine, silkworm pupa is not only a delicious and nutritious food, but it is also very useful in treating conditions such as joint pain or low immunity. Eating silkworm pupa regularly can noticeably reduce symptoms of the disease.
Helps in beauty: Furthermore, numerous studies have shown that silkworm pupa also has the effect of beauty due to the head of the silkworm pupa containing an abundance of free nucleotides and quercetin glycosides which can inhibit the production of AGEs compounds, counteracting the aging process.
Enhances sexual ability: Moreover, extracts from silkworm pupa contain a high content of the amino acid arginine, which is a precursor in the synthesis of nitric oxide, and consuming silkworm pupa can enhance sexual potency…
Pain relief: The digestive tract of silkworm pupa contains the enzyme serrapeptase, which has anti-inflammatory, pain-relieving, and anti-swelling effects and does not cause any side effects like other pain relievers. They work by eliminating damaged, inflamed cells, while creating a favorable environment for the affected and inflamed areas to release mucus fluid.
Serrapeptase in silkworm pupa is also very effective in reducing headache, migraine, and other related health problems associated with arterial inflammation.
Treating paralysis: Silkworm pupa has long been used as a remedy for paralysis. Therefore, when the feet, tendons, and bones are fatigued, sore, or experiencing dizziness, people often use boiled silkworm pupa with alcohol to eat and treat the disease. Or use cooked silkworm pupa with alcohol, then apply that alcohol for massage, which is also very effective in treating paralysis, relieving pain, and soreness.
Note when eating silkworm pupa
Silkworm pupa is delicious and nutritious, but when eating this dish, you need to pay attention to allergies and intoxication. Hospitals annually receive many cases of intoxication, shock, and defense reaction after eating silkworm pupa that require emergency treatment. Many people feel nauseous, have difficulty breathing after eating silkworm pupa. In severe cases, patients develop red rashes all over their bodies, abdominal pain, nausea, chills, low blood pressure… If not treated promptly, it can lead to death.
Silkworm pupa poisoning can be caused by eating silkworm pupa that has been rotten for a long time, protein in food decomposes into toxic substances or silkworm pupa has been soaked in chemicals. Some people also have a defense reaction to peptides in silkworm pupa or allergies to sodium sulfite used by vendors to preserve food. There are some things to note to avoid silkworm pupa intoxication as follows:
People who are prone to allergies should be cautious with this type of food.
Do not eat silkworm pupa for a long time. Fresh silkworm pupa has a shiny yellow color, and the segments on the body are not loose. If the silkworm pupa has been stored for a long time, it will turn pale yellow and may darken or the segments on the body will be loose and not tight.
Do not eat raw silkworm pupa, unwashed, or unprocessed. Do not cook silkworm pupa with other seafood to avoid poisoning or allergic reactions.
Gout patients should not eat silkworm pupa because this food contains a lot of protein, which can cause the recurrence of pain.
Although silkworm pupa is very nutritious, do not eat too much because the high amount of nutrients makes it difficult for the body to absorb, causing bloating and indigestion.
For young children, let them try a small amount of silkworm pupa to check for reactions. If the child does not show any signs of allergies, then let them eat again.
According to nutrition experts, it is recommended to eat silkworm pupa only 2 – 3 times a month.
Silkworm pupae are an excellent source of nutrients. In 100g of silkworm pupae, you’ll find 79.7g of water, 13g of protein, 6.5g of fat, and up to 206 calories. They’re also rich in vitamins A, B1, B2, PP, and C, as well as essential amino acids like valine, tyrosine, and tryptophan. Additionally, they contain minerals such as calcium (40 mg) and phosphorus (109 mg), offering a range of health benefits.
In Traditional Medicine, silkworm pupa is known as “tam dung.” It has a sweet, salty, and fatty taste with a neutral property. This medicine is highly nutritious and is believed to have a positive effect on the intestines. It is also said to be beneficial for treating paralysis and reducing pain and soreness.
- Preventing rickets and malnutrition in children due to their high calcium and phosphorus content.
- Beneficial for people with kidney disease, as it can help improve kidney function and treat related symptoms like frequent urination and constipation.
- Good for joint pain and low immunity, with regular consumption reducing symptoms noticeably.
- Beauty benefits due to the presence of free nucleotides and quercetin glycosides, which inhibit the production of AGEs compounds, thus counteracting aging.
- Enhances sexual potency due to the high content of the amino acid arginine, which is a precursor in the synthesis of nitric oxide.
- Pain relief: The serrapeptase enzyme in silkworm pupae has anti-inflammatory, pain-relieving, and anti-swelling properties without the side effects of traditional painkillers.
- Treating paralysis: Silkworm pupae have been used as a traditional remedy for paralysis and related symptoms such as fatigue, soreness, and dizziness.
Yes, while silkworm pupae are delicious and nutritious, some precautions should be taken. Allergic reactions and intoxication are possible, and hospitals have reported cases requiring emergency treatment after silkworm pupa consumption. People prone to allergies should be cautious, and it is recommended to consume silkworm pupae in moderation. Additionally, avoid eating raw, unwashed, or unprocessed pupae, and do not cook them with other seafood to prevent poisoning or allergic reactions.
- People with a history of allergies should exercise caution.
- Gout patients should refrain from consuming silkworm pupae due to their high protein content, which can trigger pain recurrence.
- It is recommended to introduce silkworm pupae in small amounts to young children to monitor for any allergic reactions.
According to nutrition experts, it is recommended to consume silkworm pupae only 2-3 times a month to avoid any potential negative effects.