Eating Clay Side Effects

Eating clay, a practice known as geophagy, has been associated with a range of adverse health effects. Major side effects include:

• Intestinal problems: Clay consumption can lead to constipation, intestinal blockage, and even perforation of the digestive tract. There have been incidences of death due to excessive consumption resulting in intestinal occlusion or perforation^[1][3].
• Parasitic and bacterial infections: Soil or clay may be contaminated with worm eggs (helminths), harmful bacteria such as Clostridium tetani, or other pathogens, increasing the risk of infection, particularly in children^[1][3][7].
• Toxicity and heavy metal exposure: Clay can contain toxic heavy metals (like lead, aluminum, and nickel) that are harmful to human health, potentially causing kidney or liver damage, neurological issues, and other systemic effects^[2][5][6][8].
• Nutritional deficiencies: Consuming clay can interfere with the absorption of vital nutrients including iron, zinc, and potassium. This disruption can lead to conditions such as iron deficiency anemia and zinc insufficiency. Surveys have shown that up to 75% of iron deficiency cases in some populations are due to geophagy^[3][4][5].
• Dental damage: The abrasiveness of clay can cause damage to teeth^[1].
• Pregnancy risks: For pregnant women, eating clay increases the risk of maternal hypertension, birth defects, preterm birth, low birth weights, and stillbirth. Toxic exposures are also transferred to the fetus, potentially causing developmental issues^[2][4][5].
• Other complications: Documented side effects also include appendicitis, cancer, lead poisoning, oral mucositis, bowel movement obstructions, skin sores, muscle weakness, malnutrition, hepatic and renal damage, and others^[4].

Due to these numerous health risks, geophagy is strongly discouraged, especially among vulnerable groups such as pregnant women and children^[2][4][5].

References

• [1] Geophagia: Benefits and potential toxicity to human—A review
• [2] Contributing Factors to the Awareness of Health Risks of Geophagy
• [3] Eating Dirt: Why People Do It, Dangers, and Purported Benefits
• [4] Health Education and Promotion Interventions to Mitigate Geophagy
• [5] Geophagy is a Worldwide Health Hazard for Pregnant Women
• [6] Medicine Beneath Your Feet: A Biocultural Examination of the Risks and Benefits of Geophagy
• [7] Geophagia – Wikipedia
• [8] Mineral Composition and Heavy Metal Risk Assessment of Geophagic Soils