Know anyone who ate dirt?

Question

Growing in the Midwest, I heard stories of people in the SOUTH who actually ate Dirt. Yes, the brown stuff you see in the forest. So, my question does anyone no anyone or have you ever ate dirt on the regular basis?

Answer 1

I have read about this, and it seems to be a particular type of clay-earth that has a high mineral content. It is done for medicinal purposes, and not as a regular thing. Best wishes

Answer 2

Pica is an appetite for non-nutritive substances (e.g., coal, soil, chalk, paper etc.) or an abnormal appetite for some things that may be considered foods, such as food ingredients (e.g., flour, raw potato, starch). In order for these actions to be considered pica, they must persist for more than one month, at an age where eating such objects is considered developmentally inappropriate. The condition's name comes from the Latin word for the magpie, a bird which is reputed to eat almost anything. Pica is seen in all ages, particularly in pregnant women and small children, especially among children who are developmentally disabled, where it is the most common eating disorder.

Answer 3

The condition is called "pica", and may come from the body's need to ingest more minerals.

Answer 4

No, but I heard of someone who craved dirt while pregnant.