Health All You Need to Know About Eating Ants. While entomophagy — eating insects — may sound new or unusual to some in the West, it has been commonplace in cultures worldwide for centuries ( 1 Trusted Source ). For example, many people in Asia, Africa, and Latin America depend on insects as part of their diets. In some cases, insects are even considered delicacies rather than just another source of vital nutrients. The most commonly consumed insects around the world are beetles, caterpillars, bees, wasps, and ants. Ants specifically offer an environmentally friendly source of quality protein that may support heart health and combat oxidative stress ( 2 , 3 ). This article tells you all there is to know about eating ants, including the benefits and potential downsides. Popular ant dishes around the world Cultural practices strongly influence who eats insects, and while most Western countries refrain from it , insects are an important food source in many regions of the world (