Parasites, bacteria, and heavy metalsĮating dirt can expose you to parasites, bacteria, and toxic heavy metals. In other words, eating dirt could increase risk for anemia. Some research also suggests geophagy can interfere with your ability to digest necessary nutrients, since clay in your stomach may bind to iron, zinc, and other nutrients. It’s important to talk to a doctor and have your blood checked so you can get the right nutritional supplements. AnemiaĬravings for dirt might indicate anemia, but eating dirt won’t necessarily improve your symptoms. The more dirt you eat, the more likely you’ll experience negative side effects and illness. Not being able to find or afford a specific type of soil or clay can also lead to distress.Įating dirt may not always cause harm, but it could contribute to a number of health concerns. Some may also spend money and travel significant distances to find their preferred clay or soil. Some people report finding it difficult to stop, even after they start having health problems associated with eating dirt. It could be related to foodborne illness, which is common in these climates.Ĭlay can help absorb toxins, so many support earth eating as a way of relieving stomach issues, such as food poisoning.Īlthough geophagia may not begin as a mental health concern, over time, eating dirt could come to resemble an addiction. Geophagia still occurs all over the world, though it happens most often in tropical regions. Throughout history, geophagia has been noted to occur more among pregnant women or in times of famine. Other early medical texts also mention the practice of eating earth to help stomach troubles and menstrual cramps.Įuropean medical texts from the 16th and 17th centuries mention geophagia that appeared to occur with chlorosis, or “green sickness,” a type of anemia. Hippocrates was the first to describe geophagia.
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