Read the Beforeitsnews.com story here. Advertise at Before It's News here.

By Alton Parrish (Reporter)
Contributor profile | More stories

Story Views
Now:
Last hour:
Last 24 hours:
Total:

Geophagy: "Soil-Eating" as an Addictive Behaviour

Monday, December 5, 2016 20:49

% of readers think this story is Fact. Add your two cents.

Between 30 and 80% of people in Africa, especially women, regularly eat clayey soil – this habit is known as geophagy. They consume between 100 and 400 g per day. “Pregnant and breast-feeding women, in particular, nearly always have some soil to eat. This is cheap to buy in the marketplace,” explains Ruth Kutalek of MedUni Vienna’s Center for Public Health (Institute of Social Medicine). The reason behind this habit, which was previously also widespread in Europe and Asia, is still not clear and is largely unresearched. A study conducted at MedUni Vienna has now been able to show that it is a craving.

That is the central finding of the paper that has now appeared in the renowned periodical “The American Journal of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene” and which arose from the dissertations of the three medical students Lena Hübl, Stephan Leick and Lukas Güttl under the supervision of Kutalek at the Center for Public Health. This paper describes soil-eating as a craving. The authors regard it as being similar to a craving for chocolate or as a type of “reward”. Says Kutalek: “These people often eat clay as a snack between meals and report that they could not do without it.”

Between 30 and 80% of people in Africa, especially women, regularly eat clayey soil – this habit is known as geophagy

Credit: Medical University of Vienna

Detoxifying effect

However, the reason behind it could be quite different – and also quite multi-layered: Soil contains clay, which binds toxins, in the same way as charcoal tablets combat diarrhoea. This clay could influence the pH of the stomach acid and help to combat heartburn – many women in Africa predominantly eat maize, cassava and pulses – but, as Kutalek explains, there are also indications that the soil helps with morning sickness. Many African ethnic groups therefore regard soil-eating as “womanly” and the increased consumption of soil is seen as a sign that a woman is pregnant. However, according to the MedUni Vienna experts, men are also starting to eat soil more frequently, especially since clay is also regarded as a natural stimulant.

Reducing soil consumption is recommended

However, from a public health perspective, eating soil is questionable – at least in large quantities. Because, especially in Africa, soil contains a lot of heavy metals such as lead or mercury, which could be particularly harmful to unborn babies but also to their mothers and other adults. “It is therefore strongly recommended that consumption be reduced,” says Kutalek. The recommendation to stop completely is difficult to implement, because addictive behaviour cannot be changed overnight. MedUni Vienna’s Center for Public Health is already conducting further research into the craving for soil.

Incidentally, some migrants from Africa who have come to Europe, and even Vienna, are in the habit of eating soil. It can be bought in portions in exotic supermarkets. And even health food stores offer bentonite clay for internal use. However, it is not advisable to consume this clay.

Contacts and source:
Medical University of Vienna
http://www.meduniwien.ac.at

„Geophagy in Northern Uganda: Perspectives from Consumers and Clinicians.“ Lena Hübl, Stephan Leick, Lukas Güttl, Grace Akello and Ruth Kutalek. Am.J.Trop.Med.Hyg., 95(6), 2016, pp. 1440-1449. Doi:10.4269/ajtmh.15-0579.

Source:

Before It’s News® is a community of individuals who report on what’s going on around them, from all around the world.

Anyone can join.
Anyone can contribute.
Anyone can become informed about their world.

"United We Stand" Click Here To Create Your Personal Citizen Journalist Account Today, Be Sure To Invite Your Friends.

Please Help Support BeforeitsNews by trying our Natural Health Products below!

Order by Phone at 888-809-8385 or online at https://mitocopper.com M - F 9am to 5pm EST

Order by Phone at 866-388-7003 or online at https://www.herbanomic.com M - F 9am to 5pm EST

Order by Phone at 866-388-7003 or online at https://www.herbanomics.com M - F 9am to 5pm EST

Humic & Fulvic Trace Minerals Complex - Nature's most important supplement! Vivid Dreams again!

HNEX HydroNano EXtracellular Water - Improve immune system health and reduce inflammation.

Ultimate Clinical Potency Curcumin - Natural pain relief, reduce inflammation and so much more.

MitoCopper - Bioavailable Copper destroys pathogens and gives you more energy. (See Blood Video)

Oxy Powder - Natural Colon Cleanser! Cleans out toxic buildup with oxygen!

Nascent Iodine - Promotes detoxification, mental focus and thyroid health.

Smart Meter Cover - Reduces Smart Meter radiation by 96%! (See Video).

Comments

Total 1 comment

Fokofpoes

Quite clever, that.

Dec 5, 2016, 8:57 pm 0 Reply

Online:
Visits:	1,603,458,547
Stories:	8,150,148