“Protein level is too high, overdosed!” A woman in Baoshan, Yunnan, China, recently ate flying ants for nutritional supplementation, and ended up experiencing severe abdominal pain that night, leading to an emergency hospital visit. After diagnosis, the doctor found that it was not food poisoning, but an allergic reaction caused by excessive protein intake.
According to reports from local media, following days of rain, a large number of flying ants appeared in the area, and many residents considered them a nutrient-rich “rainy season delicacy.” The woman interviewed said she tried catching and cooking the flying ants as well, “I ate about twenty to thirty of them, and unexpectedly, not long after, my abdomen started to hurt severely, so I had to rush to the hospital for an IV drip.”
The doctor confirmed upon examination that her abdominal pain was not due to poisoning, but rather due to an overload of high protein intake that her body couldn’t adapt to, “The protein level is too high, overdosed.” The doctor pointed out that some people's constitutions may react negatively when consuming a large amount of high-protein food in a short time, potentially leading to discomfort or even allergic reactions.
Fortunately, her condition stabilized after treatment. She also advised everyone: “If you are unfamiliar with something, it’s better not to try it lightly.”
Publicly available data shows that flying ants themselves do not contain toxins and are theoretically edible, but due to their complex living environment, they may carry bacteria, parasites, or viruses, and pose health risks if not handled properly. Doctors also stated that although flying ants are not toxic, indiscriminate consumption is not recommended, “especially for people allergic to protein or those with sensitive constitutions, the risk is heightened.”
This incident sparked widespread discussion online, with many netizens expressing surprise, “I didn’t expect flying ants to be edible,” “Really learned something new,” “I’ve also had issues with high-protein diets, it seems not everyone is suitable.”
The incident's exposure drew significant internet attention, with many amazed that flying ants can actually be eaten, “This is eye-opening, can such things be served at the table?”, “I've also had problems with a high-protein diet; the differences in constitution seem really significant”, “Honestly, I wouldn't dare to eat flying ants.”