Why are people eating plain cornstarch?

According to the Cleveland Clinic, habitually craving and eating non-food items like raw starch is a symptom of a disorder known as pica. So, why are people eating plain cornstarch? While it may seem like an unusual and potentially harmful habit, the reasons behind this behavior are often rooted in underlying medical, nutritional, and psychological factors.

Quick Summary

Compulsive cravings for plain cornstarch are linked to the eating disorder pica, often triggered by nutritional deficiencies such as iron-deficiency anemia. Psychological factors and sensory appeal also play a role, while significant health risks like digestive issues and blood sugar spikes are associated with high consumption.

Key Points

• Pica is the root cause: Compulsively eating plain cornstarch is a symptom of pica, an eating disorder involving cravings for non-food items.

• Linked to anemia: Iron and zinc deficiencies are strongly associated with pica and cornstarch cravings, particularly in pregnant women.

• Raw starch is hard to digest: Consuming raw cornstarch can cause digestive problems such as bloating, gas, and constipation.

• Minimal nutritional value: Despite providing carbohydrates, cornstarch offers little to no vitamins, fiber, or protein, potentially worsening nutritional imbalances.

• Seek professional advice: If you experience this craving, it is essential to consult a doctor to identify and treat the underlying cause, whether nutritional or psychological.

• Address underlying issues: The most effective treatment involves correcting nutritional deficiencies or addressing psychological factors through therapy.

Understanding Pica: The Primary Medical Reason

One of the most common medical reasons why people are eating plain cornstarch is a condition called pica. Pica is an eating disorder characterized by a compulsive appetite for non-nutritive, non-food substances such as dirt, clay, chalk, and raw starches. The word "pica" comes from the Latin word for magpie, a bird known for eating a wide variety of items.

Nutritional Deficiencies

Nutritional deficiencies, particularly iron-deficiency anemia and zinc deficiency, are strongly linked to the onset of pica. When the body lacks these essential minerals, it can trigger unusual cravings as a way to replenish missing nutrients. However, consuming plain cornstarch does not solve the underlying deficiency and can mask the problem, preventing the individual from seeking proper medical attention for their anemia. Addressing the deficiency with appropriate medical supervision is crucial for stopping the craving.

Psychological and Behavioral Factors

Beyond nutrition, psychological and behavioral factors can also contribute to this craving.

• Sensory Appeal: For some, the fine, powdery texture and a smooth, dissolving sensation of raw cornstarch in the mouth are physically satisfying. This tactile experience, sometimes heightened by trends on social media platforms like TikTok, can lead to a compulsive habit.
• Stress and Anxiety: High stress levels and anxiety can trigger or exacerbate pica behaviors. The act of eating a specific texture might become a coping mechanism for managing emotional distress.
• Habit and Addiction: As with many compulsive behaviors, eating plain cornstarch can become a difficult habit to break. Individuals may feel a sense of fatigue or other negative symptoms but struggle to stop the practice.

Health Risks of Eating Plain Cornstarch

Consuming large quantities of plain cornstarch poses several health risks, especially if the underlying cause is not addressed.

• Digestive Issues: Raw cornstarch is difficult for the body to digest, often leading to unpleasant side effects like gas, bloating, stomach pain, and constipation. Cooking starches helps break them down, making them easier on the digestive system.
• Blood Sugar Spikes: Cornstarch is a refined carbohydrate with a high glycemic index, meaning it is quickly digested and can cause rapid spikes in blood sugar levels. This is particularly dangerous for people with diabetes or insulin resistance.
• Nutritional Deficiency: While cornstarch provides a quick source of carbohydrates and calories, it lacks essential nutrients like fiber, protein, vitamins, and minerals. Relying on it can lead to further nutritional imbalances.
• Potential for Contamination: In its raw form, cornstarch can potentially harbor harmful bacteria. While the risk may not be as high as with raw flour, it's still a possibility to consider.

Comparison of Causes for Cornstarch Cravings

Cause	Population Most Affected	Trigger	Potential Health Impact
Iron-Deficiency Anemia	Pregnant women, adolescents, frequent blood donors	Lack of iron in the diet	Pica symptoms, untreated anemia, nutrient imbalance
Zinc Deficiency	Same as above, less common link	Inadequate zinc intake	Pica symptoms, masked nutrient deficiency
Glycogen Storage Disease	Medically supervised patients	Metabolic disorder affecting blood sugar	Controlled blood sugar levels (when done correctly)
Psychological Factors	Individuals under stress or with mental health conditions	Sensory seeking, coping mechanism	Can lead to habitual consumption and neglect of underlying issues

What to Do If You Have This Craving

If you find yourself with an uncontrollable craving for plain cornstarch, it is important to seek medical advice. A healthcare provider can run blood tests to check for nutritional deficiencies like anemia or zinc deficiency. Addressing the root cause is the most effective way to eliminate the craving and prevent health complications.

Possible interventions may include:

• Dietary Adjustments: A doctor or registered dietitian can help create a balanced meal plan that includes iron-rich foods, such as leafy greens, beans, and lean meats.
• Iron Supplements: If a deficiency is confirmed, an iron supplement can be prescribed to correct the imbalance and often eliminate the craving.
• Therapy: For psychological causes, behavioral therapy can help develop coping mechanisms and address underlying stress or anxiety.
• Substitution: Replacing the desired texture with a safe, crunchy, or chewy alternative can help some individuals. Healthy options like ice chips, celery, or sugar-free gum may satisfy the sensory need.

Conclusion

While eating plain cornstarch might appear to be a strange or harmless habit, it is often a signal of a more significant underlying issue, most commonly pica driven by nutritional deficiencies like anemia. The potential health risks, from digestive problems to blood sugar instability, underscore the importance of seeking professional medical evaluation. Understanding the complex interplay of physiological, psychological, and sensory factors is key to getting the right support and treatment to overcome this compulsion and restore overall well-being.

Potential Outbound Link

For more information on pica and its symptoms, consult the Cleveland Clinic's resource: https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/22944-pica

Authoritative Citations

• Everyday Health. “Is It Safe to Eat Raw Cornstarch?” Everyday Health, 7 Aug. 2025, everydayhealth.com/food-safety/can-you-eat-raw-cornstarch/. (Authoritative)
• Masda Chemicals. “Why Do People Eat Corn Starch? Surprising Reasons Explained.” Masda.com.sg, 25 Apr. 2025, masda.com.sg/why-do-people-eat-corn-starch-surprising-reasons/. (Authoritative)
• Healthline. “Is Cornstarch Bad for You? Nutrition and Health Effects.” Healthline, 28 Aug. 2020, healthline.com/nutrition/is-cornstarch-bad-for-you. (Authoritative)
• Cleveland Clinic. “Pica: What It Is, Causes, Symptoms & Treatment.” My.clevelandclinic.org, 6 May 2022, my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/22944-pica. (Authoritative)

How It’s Made

Cornstarch is produced through a process called wet milling, where corn kernels are steeped in water to separate the germ, bran, and endosperm. The starch is then extracted from the endosperm, dried, and refined into the fine, white powder we use in cooking. The process removes most of the nutritional value present in the whole kernel.

Alternatives to Consider

If the craving is rooted in a nutritional deficiency, a balanced diet is the best remedy. For sensory cravings, alternative options include ice chips, frozen fruit, or crunchy vegetables. If the habit persists, medical consultation is necessary to rule out underlying issues.

Frequently Asked Questions

What medical conditions are associated with eating plain cornstarch?

The most common condition associated with eating plain cornstarch is pica, an eating disorder linked to nutritional deficiencies like iron-deficiency anemia and zinc deficiency. Glycogen storage diseases are another medical condition where controlled amounts of uncooked cornstarch are medically supervised.

Is it safe to eat raw cornstarch?

No, it is not advisable to eat raw cornstarch. Raw starch is difficult for the body to digest and can lead to digestive issues such as bloating, gas, and constipation. Additionally, raw cornstarch may harbor harmful bacteria.

Does eating cornstarch cause weight gain?

Yes, eating large quantities of cornstarch can contribute to weight gain. It is high in calories and carbohydrates but lacks essential nutrients like fiber and protein, which can lead to excessive calorie intake without providing satiety.

Can eating cornstarch affect my blood sugar?

Yes, cornstarch has a high glycemic index and can cause blood sugar levels to spike rapidly. This is especially concerning for individuals with diabetes or insulin resistance.

Why do pregnant women sometimes crave cornstarch?

Pregnant women have an increased risk of developing iron-deficiency anemia, which is a known trigger for pica. The craving for cornstarch is a symptom of this nutritional deficiency and should be addressed by a healthcare provider.

What is the best way to satisfy a craving for cornstarch?

The best approach is to identify and treat the underlying cause with a doctor. For a temporary fix, healthier alternatives like ice chips, frozen fruit, crunchy vegetables, or sugar-free gum can satisfy the oral fixation.

Does correcting anemia stop the craving for cornstarch?

Often, yes. For many people with pica, correcting the underlying iron deficiency with supplements and dietary changes will cause the craving for non-food items like cornstarch to subside.