Understanding the Craving: Why are people eating cornstarch? A Nutrition Diet Analysis

November 9, 2025 •

4 min read

According to the Cleveland Clinic, the persistent and compulsive eating of non-food items is a recognized eating disorder known as pica. This medical condition is often the answer to the question: why are people eating cornstarch and is linked to nutrient deficiencies, psychological factors, or other underlying health issues.

Quick Summary

The consumption of raw cornstarch is frequently linked to pica, an eating disorder often caused by nutritional deficiencies such as iron-deficiency anemia. Other reasons include sensory cravings for the texture, or medically supervised use for specific metabolic conditions. However, the habit poses significant health risks.

Key Points

Pica is a Medical Disorder: Compulsively eating non-food items like cornstarch is a symptom of pica, an eating disorder that requires professional evaluation.
Nutritional Deficiencies Trigger Cravings: Iron-deficiency anemia and sometimes zinc deficiency are common underlying causes of cornstarch cravings.
Sensory and Psychological Factors: The texture, crunch, and sensory experience of eating cornstarch can be psychologically soothing or be promoted via online ASMR trends.
Medically Supervised Use: Uncooked cornstarch is occasionally used under medical direction to manage blood sugar in patients with Glycogen Storage Disease.
Significant Health Risks: Eating raw cornstarch can cause severe digestive problems, dangerous blood sugar spikes, and offers no meaningful nutrition.
Prioritize Medical Evaluation: Anyone experiencing cornstarch cravings should consult a doctor to rule out nutritional deficiencies or other underlying conditions and address the root cause.

Pica: The Underlying Eating Disorder

The most common reason individuals compulsively eat substances like cornstarch is a medical condition known as pica. Pica is an eating disorder characterized by a persistent and compulsive craving for, and consumption of, non-food, non-nutritive substances. The term derives from the Latin word for magpie, a bird known for its unusual and indiscriminate eating habits. While it can affect anyone, pica is most frequently diagnosed in pregnant women, young children, and individuals with developmental or intellectual disabilities. The specific craving for raw starch is also called amylophagia. It's crucial to understand that this is not a casual dietary choice but a serious behavioral health issue that warrants medical evaluation and intervention.

Nutritional Deficiencies as a Trigger

One of the most common drivers behind pica and the craving for cornstarch is a significant nutritional deficiency. The body's natural response to a lack of certain vitamins or minerals can manifest as unusual cravings for non-food items in an attempt to replenish depleted stores, even though these items provide no nutritional value.

Iron-Deficiency Anemia

The craving for ice (pagophagia) and raw starch (amylophagia) is strongly associated with iron-deficiency anemia.
While the exact mechanism is not fully understood, it is believed that the body seeks out substances with a specific texture or quality to compensate for the deficiency.
Treating the underlying iron deficiency through supplements or dietary changes often resolves the pica symptoms.

Zinc Deficiency

Research also points to a link between pica and zinc deficiency, though it is less common than with iron.
Similar to iron deficiency, addressing the low zinc levels can help mitigate the cravings.

The Role of Pregnancy

Pregnant women are at a heightened risk for nutritional deficiencies like iron-deficiency anemia, which makes them more susceptible to developing pica.
The intense hormonal shifts during pregnancy can also contribute to the development of this condition.

The Sensory and Psychological Connection

For some, the desire to eat cornstarch has little to do with nutrients and everything to do with the sensory experience. The fine, powdery texture and the distinct feeling as it dissolves in the mouth can be oddly satisfying to certain individuals.

Autonomous Sensory Meridian Response (ASMR): The rise of social media platforms like TikTok and YouTube has fueled the popularity of videos featuring people eating raw cornstarch for the auditory and sensory satisfaction. The characteristic crunching and powdery sounds can trigger a pleasant, tingling sensation for some viewers.
Stress and Anxiety Relief: Compulsive eating of non-food items can sometimes be a coping mechanism for stress or anxiety. For these individuals, the behavior provides a temporary distraction or a soothing ritual to manage difficult emotions.

Medically Supervised Cornstarch for Health Conditions

In very specific medical cases, uncooked cornstarch is intentionally consumed under strict medical supervision for therapeutic purposes, not for its nutritional value. This is typically done to manage conditions where blood sugar regulation is a concern.

Glycogen Storage Disease

In patients with Glycogen Storage Disease (GSD), the body cannot properly convert glycogen into glucose.
Uncooked cornstarch is used as a slow-release source of carbohydrates to maintain stable blood sugar levels, especially overnight, preventing dangerous drops in blood glucose.

The Significant Health Risks of Eating Raw Cornstarch

Unless medically prescribed and monitored, the consumption of raw cornstarch poses several serious health risks.

Digestive Issues

Raw starch is difficult for the body to digest, and consuming large amounts can lead to significant gastrointestinal problems, including bloating, gas, and severe constipation.
Over time, habitual consumption can lead to more serious intestinal conditions.

Blood Sugar Spikes

Cornstarch is a refined carbohydrate with a high glycemic index (GI), meaning it can cause a rapid and significant spike in blood sugar levels.
This is particularly dangerous for individuals with diabetes or insulin resistance, as it can worsen their condition and lead to complications.

Lack of Nutritional Value

Cornstarch is essentially pure carbohydrate, stripped of the fiber, protein, vitamins, and minerals found in the whole corn kernel.
Eating it regularly means consuming empty calories without any meaningful nutrients, which can exacerbate existing deficiencies.

Weight Gain

With nearly 500 calories per cup, excessive cornstarch consumption can contribute to rapid weight gain without providing any balanced nutrition.

Contamination

As a raw, processed product, there is a risk of bacterial contamination that cooking would typically eliminate.

Seeking Help for Cornstarch Cravings

If you or someone you know has an uncontrollable urge to eat cornstarch, it is important to seek professional help. A healthcare provider can run tests to check for nutritional deficiencies and provide guidance on the next steps.

Comparison Table: Raw Cornstarch Consumption vs. Nutritious Alternatives


Feature	Raw Cornstarch	Nutritious Alternatives
Nutritional Content	Low to no fiber, protein, or vitamins; pure refined carb.	Rich in fiber, protein, healthy fats, vitamins, and minerals.
Health Impact	Can cause digestive issues, blood sugar spikes, and nutrient deficiencies.	Promotes balanced nutrition, gut health, and stable energy levels.
Digestibility	Difficult for the body to digest raw; can cause discomfort.	Easily digestible, especially when cooked or prepared properly.
Primary Motivation	Pica due to deficiency, sensory appeal, or psychological coping.	Fueling the body with essential vitamins and energy.
Safe Consumption	Not recommended for consumption outside of specific medical use.	Generally safe and beneficial as part of a balanced diet.

Conclusion: Prioritizing Health and Addressing the Root Cause

While the reasons for eating cornstarch vary from medical necessity to psychological compulsion, the risks of unsupervised consumption far outweigh any potential benefits. For most individuals, the craving is a red flag indicating a more profound underlying issue, such as pica or a serious nutritional deficiency. Instead of giving in to the craving, the correct course of action is to seek a medical evaluation to identify and treat the root cause. By addressing the underlying issues with the help of a healthcare professional, individuals can overcome the cravings and prioritize their health with a more nutritious and balanced diet. For more information on pica and treatment options, please consult a trusted health resource, like the Cleveland Clinic(https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/22944-pica).

Frequently Asked Questions

Yes, eating large amounts of raw cornstarch can be dangerous. It can cause digestive issues like bloating and constipation, spike blood sugar levels due to its high glycemic index, and offer no significant nutritional value.

The medical condition most commonly associated with eating cornstarch is pica. Pica is an eating disorder characterized by a compulsive desire to consume non-food substances.

Pregnant women can crave cornstarch due to hormonal shifts and an increased risk of iron-deficiency anemia. The body may crave non-nutritive substances in an attempt to address this mineral deficiency.

If the craving is caused by a nutritional deficiency, such as iron or zinc, correcting the deficiency with supplements under a doctor's guidance often eliminates the pica behavior.

Not necessarily. For people with Glycogen Storage Disease, consuming uncooked cornstarch is a medically supervised treatment to regulate blood sugar. However, compulsive consumption outside of this context is considered a symptom of pica.

Treatment involves addressing the root cause. This may include correcting nutritional deficiencies, behavioral therapy to manage compulsions, or addressing psychological factors. Consulting a healthcare provider is the essential first step.

Cornstarch provides very few health benefits, especially when eaten raw. It is high in calories and carbs but lacks essential nutrients like fiber, protein, and vitamins. Its main purpose in the kitchen is as a thickening agent.