Geophagia, the practice of eating earth forms, is observed in animals and humans. Humans may do so due to malnutrition or pica, while some cultures consider it a culinary ingredient. However, there are health risks such as contamination and intestinal blockage. Prehistoric geophagy may have been for survival or medicinal purposes.
Geophagia is the practice of eating clay, chalk, and other earth forms that are not generally considered part of a normal diet. Animals such as birds have been observed eating clay in various parts of the world. Humans also practice geophagy, sometimes due to malnutrition or due to a psychological condition called pica. While it is possible to consume some landforms without ill effects, there are still health risks to doing so. In some cases, people they gladly choose to practice geophagy and consider the soil a valid culinary ingredient.
In the animal kingdom, several species have been observed eating chalk and clay. The exact purpose is not clear, but in some cases it seems that animals may try to self-medicate to relieve stomach pains Other theories suggest that animals ingest earth to provide minerals essentials that are not found in their typical diet.
In humans, there are several reasons why geophagia is practiced. One of the most studied causes is the psychological disorder called pica. Patients suffering from pica have a compulsive urge to consume substances that are not commonly considered food or that have no no nutritional value. A person with pica might eat dirt, rocks, clay, or even sand.
In countries where malnutrition is prevalent among the human population, the soil and mud might be consumed out of necessity. There are some cultures in these countries who will mix the mud with spices or sugar. The mud is then formed into cakes, dried in the sun and eaten as a meal.
While there is evidence of geophagy existing in many places around the world, the danger to humans when ingesting earth can be significant. Clay or soil that is consumed could be contaminated with animal faecal material or sewage. there are also distinct forms of bacteria that exist naturally in soil that can cause serious disease. One of the most immediate health threats from geophagy is intestinal blockage, a condition in which ingested material forms a thick blockage in the digestive tract.
There is some archaeological evidence that geophagy occurred in prehistoric times. It has been theorized that humans developed prehistoric geophagy to absorb minerals necessary for survival but not readily available in the standard diet. Another theory suggests that clays consumed may have been part of early medicinal practices.
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