Journal of Functional Foods · Jun 15, 2026
Bioactive mealworm hydrolysate enhances muscle function in older adults: a translational randomized controlled trial
By Ahn S, Seo JW, Sung Y et al.
Background Mealworm hydrolysate (MH) contains bioactive peptides with reported effects in preclinical studies. Objective This study examined whether MH supplementation combined with walking exercise improves muscle strength and physical function in older adults with low grip strength. Methods In a 12-week double-blind randomized trial ( ClinicalTrials.gov : KCT0010726; IRB No. 2401/004-003), 98 adults (aged 50–75) received either MH (2000 mg/day) or placebo. All participants walked 30 min, three times per week. Primary outcomes were grip strength, isokinetic knee strength, and the Short Physical Performance Battery (balance, gait speed, and sit-to-stand test). Results The MH group showed greater improvements in grip strength, lower-limb strength, and sit-to-stand performance ( p < 0.05) compared to placebo. TNF-α levels significantly decreased only in the MH group. Conclusion MH supplementation safely enhances neuromuscular function beyond walking exercise alone; however, the underlying mechanisms remain to be fully elucidated.