Are placentas edible?

Question

I'm not asking whether people eat them or not. I'm asking would you get sick if you put one on the grill and ate it.

Answer 1

I just threw up a little bit in my mouth.

Answer 2

nope, people have and do eat them

Most women will probably be aware of the age-old rumour that some mothers reputedly enjoy tucking into a nourishing meal of placenta after giving birth. Indeed it is commonplace for some cultures and, of course, many of our friends in the animal kingdom have always enjoyed it. However, to your average discerning human being it still doesn't seem that appealing a prospect. In the Western world it is accepted, although unproven, that eating placenta will reduce the risk of post-natal depression. This is because the organ is rich in minerals and vitamins, particularly B6, which can help to fight depression.

Placentophagy is the act of mammals eating the placenta of their young after childbirth.

The placenta contains high levels of prostaglandin which stimulates involution (an inward curvature or penetration, or, a shrinking or return to a former size) of the uterus, in effect cleaning the uterus out. The placenta also contains small amounts of oxytocin which eases birth stress and causes the smooth muscles around the mammary cells to contract and eject milk.

There is also a school of thought that holds that placentophagy naturally occurred to hide any trace of childbirth from predators in the wild, though the amniotic fluid not similarly ingested by the mother seems to discount this theory. Most placental mammals participate in placentophagy, including, surprisingly, herbivorous ones. Pinnipedia and Cetacea are exceptions to mammalian placentophagy, as is the camel. Placentophagy has been observed in Insectivora, Rodentia, Chiroptera, Lagomorpha, Carnivora, Perissodactyla, Artiodactyla (with the camel as a noted exception), and Primates. Marsupials, which are an order of metatherian (pouched) mammals, resorb rather than deliver the placenta, and therefore cannot engage in placentophagia; they do, however, vigorously lick birth fluids as they are excreted.

The most general benefit of placentophagy, according to recent research, is that placenta and amniotic fluid contain a molecule (POEF, Placental Opioid-Enhancing Factor) that modifies the activity of endogenous opioids in such a way that produces an enhancement of the natural reduction in pain that occurs shortly before and during delivery.

Human placentophagy
Wikibooks Cookbook has an article on
PlacentaAlthough the placenta is revered in many cultures, very few customarily eat the placenta after the newborn's birth. Those who advocate placentophagy in humans, mostly in modern America and Europe, Hawaii and the Pacific Islands believe that eating the placenta prevents postpartum depression and other pregnancy complications. Human placenta tastes very similar to beef, with a springy texture similar to the heart. A variety of recipes are known to exist for preparing placenta for eating in spite of the extended taboo against eating parts of human beings.

Obstetrician Maggie Blott opposes the post-natal depression theory. Blott, a spokeswoman for the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists, says there's no medical justification at all; "Animals eat their placenta to get nutrition but when people are already well-nourished, there is no benefit, there is no reason to do it".

Human placenta has also been an ingredient in some traditional Chinese medicines.

Answer 3

In some cultures, people actually make a soup out of the placenta for the family to eat. I'd say yeah, it's edible.

Answer 4

It has been done but is not common practice. Apparently, there is a high nutritional value in a placenta, though, just eating one wouldn't benefit greatly since you can obtain the same value with more taste worthy food.

As you may know, many other species in the animal kingdom, as well as your pet dog, will eat the placenta of their newborn.

Answer 5

Yes

Answer 6

IDK about eating them, animals eat them, but then again they eat their own poop too. I do know that their is alot of protein and healthy stuff in them. I have used placenta treatments to repair my hair after damage from dying and bleaching. If you ever try it though use some jack Danial sauce he he I bet it will taste alot better!!!

Answer 7

Yes, and in some cultures its considered good for the mother and part of the birthing ritual. Most mammals have been known to do it.

Answer 8

no you can't eat placenta. as far as i know, placenta is disposed off immediately after it's delivered.

Answer 9

Yep, loads of animals do it. Full of nutrients..

Answer 10

you can eat them, probably very nutritious, but highly gross!