What Causes Craving for Clay Soil? Understanding Geophagia and Pica

November 26, 2025 •

4 min read

According to a 2025 study in Tanzania, geophagia—the practice of eating soil or clay—was prevalent in 27% of pregnant women surveyed. An underlying cause for craving for clay soil is often linked to nutritional deficiencies, a recognized form of the eating disorder known as pica.

Quick Summary

Investigate the complex reasons behind craving clay soil, including nutritional deficiencies like iron and zinc, hormonal changes during pregnancy, and cultural factors. Learn about associated health risks and effective management strategies.

Key Points

Iron Deficiency is a Common Driver: Craving clay soil, a type of pica called geophagia, is often directly linked to a deficiency in iron, leading to anemia.
Pregnancy Can Trigger Cravings: Hormonal changes and increased nutritional demands during pregnancy are a common cause of geophagia in women worldwide.
Psychological Roots Can Exist: For some, pica is a coping mechanism for stress or anxiety, or can be associated with other mental health or developmental disorders.
Cultural Practices Are Significant: The historical and cultural practice of eating specific clays for medicinal or traditional purposes is distinct from the medical disorder of pica.
Serious Health Risks Exist: Eating clay can lead to parasite infections, heavy metal poisoning, intestinal blockage, and worsened nutritional deficiencies.
Professional Diagnosis is Essential: Only a healthcare provider can determine the true cause of the craving and recommend a safe and effective treatment plan.
Treatment Addresses the Root Cause: Addressing underlying nutritional deficiencies or psychological issues is the standard treatment for pica, often resolving the craving.

The intense desire to eat clay soil, a behavior known as geophagia, is a specific type of the eating disorder pica. While it may seem unusual, this craving is driven by a complex interplay of physiological, psychological, and cultural factors. Pinpointing the root cause is the first step toward effective management and treatment.

The Primary Link: Nutritional Deficiencies

One of the most widely accepted causes of geophagia is the body's attempt to compensate for a lack of essential nutrients. When the body is low on a key mineral, it can trigger strong, unspecific cravings for non-food items.

Iron and Zinc Deficiencies

Iron-deficiency anemia is a leading trigger for pica, with cravings for clay, dirt, and ice being particularly common. The body, in a misguided attempt to absorb missing minerals, sends signals that result in the urge to consume these non-nutritive substances. Some research even suggests that eating clay can paradoxically worsen iron deficiency by binding to iron in the gut, making it harder for the body to absorb. Similarly, zinc deficiency has been linked to pica, as seen in a 2023 study of children in Sri Lanka where those with pica had significantly lower zinc levels.

How deficiencies trigger cravings:

Low iron levels: Lead to iron-deficiency anemia, prompting the body to seek out iron-rich substances like reddish clay.
Reduced hemoglobin: A greater decline in hemoglobin during pregnancy is associated with the initiation of geophagia.
Zinc imbalance: Lower zinc levels can trigger pica behavior in both children and adults.

Hormonal Changes During Pregnancy

Pregnancy is a well-documented risk factor for pica, with many women developing specific cravings for non-food items, including clay. While the exact reason is not fully understood, it is believed to be linked to hormonal shifts and the increased nutritional demands of a developing fetus. In some cultures, consuming clay during pregnancy is a traditional practice believed to protect the fetus and ease morning sickness.

Psychological and Behavioral Factors

For some individuals, the compulsion to eat clay is not tied to a nutritional need but is a manifestation of an underlying psychological condition.

Psychological origins of pica:

Stress and anxiety: The repetitive act of eating a specific substance can serve as a coping mechanism for stress or anxiety.
Obsessive-compulsive behavior: In some cases, pica is associated with obsessive-compulsive disorders.
Developmental disabilities: Pica is more prevalent among individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities.

Cultural and Medicinal Context

Geophagia has a rich cultural and historical context that predates modern medicine, and in many regions, it is a deeply rooted tradition. This differs from the medical disorder of pica because it is a socially and culturally normative practice rather than a compulsive, uncontrollable urge.

Examples of cultural geophagia:

Traditional remedy: In parts of Africa, specific types of clay are believed to cure digestive ailments like diarrhea and cholera.
Spiritual significance: Some religious ceremonies and rituals have historically included the consumption of blessed clay.
Family custom: The practice can be passed down through generations within families and communities.

The Risks of Eating Clay Soil

Despite historical and cultural contexts, ingesting untreated clay soil carries significant health risks. A doctor should always be consulted to determine the underlying cause and safely address the craving.

Comparison of Potential Benefits vs. Serious Risks of Geophagia


Feature	Potential (Traditional) Benefits	Serious Health Risks
Mineral Intake	Historically believed to supplement iron, calcium, and zinc.	Can bind to and prevent the absorption of essential nutrients, worsening deficiencies.
Gastrointestinal Effects	Historically used to soothe upset stomach and reduce morning sickness.	Can cause severe constipation, intestinal blockage, or even perforation of the colon.
Detoxification	Clay's absorbent properties are theorized to bind to toxins and pathogens in the gut.	High risk of ingesting parasites, harmful bacteria, and fungi that can cause infections and disease.
Environmental Contaminants	Source dependent, some clays may be purer.	High risk of heavy metal poisoning (lead, arsenic, mercury) from contaminated soil.

Conclusion: Addressing the Underlying Cause

Craving clay soil is not a benign habit and should be evaluated by a healthcare professional. Whether the cause is a nutritional deficiency, a psychological need, or a cultural practice, the potential health risks are too great to ignore. For many, resolving a nutrient imbalance with diet and supplements can eliminate the craving. In other cases, behavioral therapy or addressing mental health concerns is the path to recovery. A doctor's visit and honest conversation are crucial to understanding the craving and preventing potentially serious medical complications from consuming non-food items.

Get help for pica

If you or someone you know is struggling with pica or geophagia, it is important to seek professional help. The National Eating Disorders Association (NEDA) offers resources and support for all types of eating disorders.

Note: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Consult a healthcare provider for diagnosis and treatment.

Frequently Asked Questions

No, craving and eating clay soil is a specific type of pica, an eating disorder involving the consumption of non-food items. While it can occur, it is not normal and indicates an underlying medical, nutritional, or psychological issue that needs attention.

The medical term for craving and eating non-food items like clay is pica, with the specific practice of eating earth, soil, or clay known as geophagia.

Yes, iron-deficiency anemia is one of the most common causes of pica and can trigger a strong craving for clay or soil. However, eating clay can also interfere with iron absorption, potentially worsening the condition.

Historically, some cultures believed eating clay offered health benefits like nutrient supplementation or protection against toxins. However, there is very little modern scientific evidence to support these claims, and the risks of heavy metal poisoning, parasite infection, and other complications far outweigh any unproven benefits.

The first step is to consult a doctor to identify the underlying cause, such as a nutritional deficiency or psychological issue. Treatment often involves addressing these root problems with supplements, therapy, or behavioral interventions. Distraction techniques and chewing gum can also help manage the craving.

No, it is not safe for pregnant women to eat clay. While some cultures practice geophagia during pregnancy, the risk of ingesting heavy metals, pesticides, and parasites is high and can harm both the mother and the fetus.

The biggest dangers include intestinal blockage or perforation, heavy metal poisoning (e.g., lead), parasite infections (e.g., roundworms), and electrolyte imbalances. Eating clay can also worsen nutritional deficiencies by inhibiting absorption.