Potential Health Risks of Eating Soil and How to Prevent Them

December 21, 2025 •

4 min read

According to the Cleveland Clinic, pica—the craving and consumption of non-food items like dirt or clay—is especially common in children and pregnant women. This practice, medically known as geophagia, carries significant potential health risks of eating soil that far outweigh any perceived benefits.

Quick Summary

Chronic soil consumption, also known as geophagia, can lead to severe health issues, including toxic heavy metal poisoning, parasite infections, and nutritional deficiencies. The practice is often linked to an underlying condition like pica, especially in pregnant women and children. Addressing the root cause is crucial to prevent serious complications.

Key Points

Heavy Metal Poisoning: Eating soil risks ingesting toxic heavy metals like lead, arsenic, and cadmium, which can lead to severe organ damage and neurological issues.
Parasitic and Bacterial Infections: Soil can harbor parasites like roundworms and dangerous bacteria such as Clostridium tetani, leading to intestinal infections, blockages, and tetanus.
Worsening Nutrient Deficiencies: While often triggered by a deficiency in minerals like iron or zinc, eating soil (especially clay) can bind to these nutrients and prevent their absorption, making the problem worse.
Gastrointestinal Issues: The undigestible nature of soil and its contaminants commonly leads to severe constipation and, in some cases, serious intestinal obstructions.
Pica is a Medical Concern: Compulsively eating soil (geophagia) is a form of pica and signals an underlying medical or psychological issue, not a harmless habit.
Pregnancy Risks: Geophagia during pregnancy is particularly dangerous, posing risks of heavy metal exposure and nutrient binding to both the mother and developing fetus.
Consult a Professional: The safest course of action for anyone craving or eating soil is to consult a healthcare professional to identify and treat the root cause.

Understanding Geophagia and its Causes

While some cultures traditionally practice geophagia, and some anecdotal evidence suggests benefits like toxin absorption, modern medical consensus emphasizes the significant health dangers. The practice is often a symptom of an underlying medical issue, not a remedy. The primary cause is often identified as pica, a disorder defined by compulsively eating non-food items.

Root Causes of the Urge to Eat Soil

Nutritional Deficiencies: A common driver for geophagia is a deficiency in certain minerals. Iron-deficiency anemia is most frequently linked to cravings for dirt or clay. A lack of zinc and calcium can also trigger these urges. Paradoxically, the soil can bind to and prevent the absorption of these very nutrients, worsening the deficiency over time.
Pregnancy: Pica often occurs during pregnancy, though the exact cause is unclear. Theories suggest it could be a response to changing hormones, nutrient deficiencies, or an attempt to absorb toxins, but the risks to both mother and fetus are serious.
Mental Health Conditions: Stress, anxiety, or more severe mental health conditions like obsessive-compulsive disorder or schizophrenia can be linked to episodes of pica.
Developmental Disabilities: Pica is notably more common in individuals with developmental disabilities, such as autism or intellectual impairments.
Cultural Practices: In some communities, eating specific types of clay is a cultural or traditional practice, passed down through generations. However, this does not negate the associated health risks.

The Serious Potential Health Risks of Eating Soil

Consuming soil introduces a host of dangerous contaminants into the body. Here is a breakdown of the primary health risks.

Parasitic Infections

Soil can contain the eggs or larvae of various parasites that can cause severe gastrointestinal and systemic problems. Parasites like Ascaris (roundworm) are a well-documented risk, which can lead to intestinal blockage, abdominal pain, and malnutrition, particularly in children. Hookworm infections are also a concern and can contribute to iron-deficiency anemia.

Heavy Metal Poisoning

Soil in many areas is contaminated with toxic heavy metals from industrial pollution, pesticides, and vehicle emissions. Repeated consumption of this soil can lead to the accumulation of these metals in the body, which can have devastating consequences.

Lead Poisoning: A primary danger, especially for children whose developing nervous systems are highly sensitive to lead. Symptoms include neurological disorders, learning difficulties, and damage to the kidneys and brain.
Arsenic: Exposure can cause skin lesions, internal cancers, and damage to the cardiovascular and nervous systems.
Cadmium: A highly toxic metal that accumulates in the kidneys and liver. Long-term exposure can lead to kidney disease, fragile bones, and other health issues.

Gastrointestinal Issues

Aside from parasites, the undigestible nature of soil and clay can cause significant digestive problems. A frequent consequence is severe constipation, which, in extreme cases, can lead to intestinal obstruction or blockage requiring emergency medical intervention.

Bacterial and Fungal Infections

Soil is teeming with microorganisms, many of which are harmless, but some can be pathogenic. Consuming contaminated soil can expose a person to dangerous bacteria, such as Clostridium tetani, the bacteria responsible for tetanus. Fungi and other toxins can also be present, posing a risk of infection and illness.

Health Risks of Eating Soil: Comparison of Contaminants


Contaminant Type	Examples	Primary Health Risks	Populations at High Risk
Heavy Metals	Lead, Arsenic, Cadmium, Mercury	Neurological damage, kidney/liver disease, anemia, cancer	Children, Pregnant Women, Individuals with chronic exposure
Parasites	Ascaris (Roundworm), Hookworm	Intestinal blockage, abdominal pain, malnutrition, anemia	Children in affected areas, individuals with poor sanitation
Pathogenic Bacteria	Clostridium tetani	Tetanus infection, severe illness, potential death	Anyone eating contaminated soil, especially if unimmunized
Pesticide Residues	Organochlorines, Organophosphates	Hormonal disruption, cancer risk, neurological issues	Farmers, individuals eating soil from agricultural areas
Nutrient-Binding Agents	Clay components	Worsening of mineral deficiencies (iron, zinc), malnutrition	Individuals with existing nutrient deficiencies or pica

Conclusion: Taking Steps Toward Prevention

The potential health risks of eating soil, from heavy metal poisoning to parasitic infections, are well-documented and dangerous. The practice, while sometimes a cultural tradition, is most often a sign of an underlying issue, such as a nutritional deficiency or pica. Seeking medical attention is the safest and most effective way to address cravings for soil. A healthcare provider can test for deficiencies in iron, zinc, and other minerals, and recommend appropriate and safe supplementation. Behavioral therapies and counseling can also help manage the compulsive aspect of pica. For pregnant women, addressing these cravings with a doctor is especially important to protect both themselves and the developing fetus. Ultimately, the risks associated with ingesting soil far outweigh any unsubstantiated benefits, and professional medical guidance is essential for a safe resolution.

Safe Alternatives and Medical Intervention

For those experiencing cravings, safer alternatives can provide psychological relief while addressing the underlying cause. Chewing sugarless gum or eating crunchy foods like ice chips can sometimes satisfy the sensory aspect of the craving. However, the most critical step is addressing the root nutritional problem through proper dietary changes and medical advice.

For more information on the dangers of consuming non-food items, authoritative resources like the Cleveland Clinic offer extensive information on pica and its treatments: https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/22944-pica.

Frequently Asked Questions

The medical term for eating soil is geophagia, a specific form of the eating disorder known as pica, which involves compulsively eating non-food items.

No, while an iron deficiency can cause cravings for soil, eating it does not help and can, in fact, make the deficiency worse. The clay in soil can bind to iron, preventing your body from absorbing the mineral properly.

Yes, children are at high risk of getting sick from eating soil due to the potential for heavy metal poisoning, especially lead, and parasitic or bacterial infections. Their developing bodies are more vulnerable to these contaminants.

The first step is to consult a healthcare professional. A doctor can test for underlying nutritional deficiencies, like iron or zinc, and recommend safe treatments or therapies to address the cravings.

Yes, chronic or repeated consumption of soil and clay can lead to severe constipation or, in serious cases, a blockage in the intestines that may require medical intervention.

Yes, soil contains the bacteria Clostridium tetani, which causes tetanus. Consuming contaminated soil can lead to infection and is a serious health risk.

Some cultures have traditions of eating certain types of clay for medicinal or ceremonial purposes. However, modern medical experts stress that the risks of heavy metal contamination and parasites almost always outweigh any perceived benefits, and safety cannot be guaranteed.