Why do pregnant women eat dirt?

[Woodznutz]

Geophagy, or eating dirt, is a worldwide phenomenon that goes back millennia, mostly by pregnant women. What is puzzling is why they do it as it isn't necessary for health during pregnancy. Thoughts?

Why pregnant women eat dirt

A new book sheds light on "pica" — the overwhelming urge, particularly among pregnant women, to eat nonfood items

theweek.com

 

[1srelluc]

I've seen springtime excavations where in the evening does (pregnant at the time) would lick the disturbed earth. I suspect for the upturned minerals.....Same thing?

 

[OhPleaseJustQuit]

I've seen springtime excavations where in the evening does (pregnant at the time) would lick the disturbed earth. I suspect for the upturned minerals.....Same thing?

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Trace nutritional minerals is very likely.

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[1srelluc]

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Trace nutritional minerals is very likely.

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Maybe give the women a trace mineral block to lick on. Just sit it on the kitchen counter and they can give it a lick while making their man a sandwich.

 

[irosie91]

Geophagy, or eating dirt, is a worldwide phenomenon that goes back millennia, mostly by pregnant women. What is puzzling is why they do it as it isn't necessary for health during pregnancy. Thoughts?

Why pregnant women eat dirt

A new book sheds light on "pica" — the overwhelming urge, particularly among pregnant women, to eat nonfood items

theweek.com

It ain't NEW----PICA (eating non food items---the most common
WORLD WIDE in pregnant women is the eating of "clay"---that's
red earth but also includes eating laundry starch (potato starch)
and paint chips. It is usually associated with Iron deficiency which
is so common in pregnancy that iron supplements are almost
universally prescribed during pregnancy----along with folate.

 

[OhPleaseJustQuit]

Maybe give the women a trace mineral block to lick on. Just sit it on the kitchen counter and they can give it a lick while making their man a sandwich.

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I read an interesting article a long time ago about how most cultures know, intuitively, to dispose of their wood ashes by spreading them in their fields, so those trace minerals make it into their crops. Stuff we have forgotten about.

I wonder if pregnant women know intuitively to choose himalayan pink salt over white salt in their diets, because the pink salt has those trace minerals.

But, yeah, mineral lick sounds appetizing!

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[Woodznutz]

From the article,

"Scientists haven't pinned down an exact reason, writes Young, but it's either a response to mineral deficiencies or an instinctual effort to "protect against harm from toxins and pathogens."

Can we explore the "instinctual effort" more closely, without regard to "protect against harm from toxins and pathogens".

Some of you know where I'm going with this.

 

[Woodznutz]

This is actually a better article on the subject, worth reading.

So what's behind this ancient drive?

"That's the million-dollar question," says Young. "And the most common response is, 'I don't know, I just do.' "

https://www.npr.org/sections/thesalt/2014/04/02/297881388/the-old-and-mysterious-practice-of-eating-dirt-revealed

 

[jackflash]

Geophagy, or eating dirt, is a worldwide phenomenon that goes back millennia, mostly by pregnant women. What is puzzling is why they do it as it isn't necessary for health during pregnancy. Thoughts?

Why pregnant women eat dirt

A new book sheds light on "pica" — the overwhelming urge, particularly among pregnant women, to eat nonfood items

theweek.com

Low on $$$$ & dirt is free for the taking???

 

[irosie91]

Low on $$$$ & dirt is free for the taking???

that too. In Iron deficiency there is a tendency to
a feeling of irritation of the tongue---GLOSSITIS ---
Pregnant women USUALLY have a bit of Iron
deficiency --especially malnourished women.
Probably the chewing on red clay, or laundry starch---
or whatever is a response to the dysesthesia of the tongue

 

[Woodznutz]

Another interesting article.

SOUTHERN PRACTICE OF EATING DIRT SHOWS SIGNS OF WANING (Published 1984)

www.nytimes.com

 

[1srelluc]

If Trump was POTUS you would see this as a Huffington Post headline:

Trump Economy Is So Bad That Pregnant Women Are Forced To Eat Dirt!