Tag: Craving raw rice

An estimated 47% of pregnant women in some studies have reported experiencing pica, the compulsive eating of non-food items. A specific form of pica known as amylophagia, or the craving for raw rice, is a well-documented sign of iron deficiency anemia.

According to a case study on pica patients, cravings for non-food items like raw rice are often linked to nutritional deficiencies, particularly iron. This phenomenon, known as amylophagia, sheds light on the complex reasons why a person might crave to eat raw rice.

A 2023 review published in *The Journal of the American Medical Association* notes a strong link between iron deficiency and pica, the condition explaining why low iron people crave raw rice. This phenomenon is a signal from the body of a severe nutrient deficiency and should prompt immediate medical evaluation.