Why do people with anemia eat cornstarch?: Unraveling a Compulsive Craving

October 9, 2025 •

4 min read

According to the National Eating Disorders Association, compulsively eating non-food items, including raw starch, is medically known as pica. This eating disorder offers a crucial explanation for why do people with anemia eat cornstarch, as it is often triggered by significant nutritional deficiencies, especially a lack of iron.

Quick Summary

The compulsion to consume cornstarch in individuals with anemia is a form of pica, an eating disorder linked to severe iron or zinc deficiency. This behavior is a symptom of the underlying deficiency and typically resolves with proper nutritional treatment. Eating cornstarch, however, provides no benefit and poses serious health risks.

Key Points

Pica is the root cause: The compulsion to eat non-food items like cornstarch is called pica, and it is a known symptom of iron deficiency.
Not a nutritional fix: Eating cornstarch provides no nutritional benefit and will not correct the underlying anemia or mineral deficiency.
Resolves with treatment: Studies show that pica often subsides or disappears completely once the patient's iron deficiency is successfully treated with supplements or IV iron.
Serious health risks: Consuming raw cornstarch can cause digestive problems, dental damage, and blood sugar spikes due to its lack of fiber and high carbohydrate content.
Requires medical diagnosis: Anyone experiencing persistent cravings for non-food items should consult a doctor to be tested for anemia and other deficiencies.

What is Pica? The Compulsion Behind Cornstarch Cravings

Eating cornstarch in large quantities is a specific form of pica known as amylophagia. Pica is characterized by an obsessive desire to eat non-food items that lack nutritional value. While a child putting things in their mouth can be a normal part of development, persistent pica in adults often indicates an underlying medical issue. For individuals with iron-deficiency anemia, the craving for cornstarch and other starches is a well-documented symptom.

While the exact physiological mechanism is not fully understood, it is believed that the craving is the body's misguided attempt to address the mineral deficiency. There are also psychological and behavioral components to pica, as the specific texture of cornstarch can be soothing to some individuals. However, it is fundamentally a symptom of the untreated deficiency, not a psychological disorder on its own in this context.

The Strong Link Between Anemia and Amylophagia

For centuries, medical professionals have documented a strong association between iron-deficiency anemia and pica. The evidence is so compelling that a patient admitting to unusual cravings is often a major clue for a physician to check for anemia. Several studies have shown that pica behavior, including amylophagia, resolves rapidly once the underlying iron deficiency is corrected through supplementation or other medical treatments. This resolution upon iron repletion is strong evidence of a causal relationship. It is crucial to remember that eating the cornstarch does not address the iron deficiency at all; it merely provides a momentary fulfillment of a misplaced craving.

The Dangers of Eating Cornstarch

Despite the compulsive urge, regularly consuming cornstarch is harmful and provides no nutritional benefit. It is an empty carbohydrate source that can lead to several health complications.

Nutrient-poor: Cornstarch offers very little in the way of essential vitamins, minerals, and fiber. Relying on it can worsen overall nutrient deficiencies.
Digestive issues: Raw cornstarch is difficult for the body to digest in large quantities, leading to bloating, gas, constipation, and other gastrointestinal distress.
Blood sugar spikes: Cornstarch is a refined carbohydrate with a high glycemic index. Consuming large amounts can cause rapid spikes in blood sugar, which is particularly concerning for individuals with diabetes or insulin resistance.
Dental damage: The abrasive and rough texture of raw cornstarch can cause significant wear and tear on teeth over time.

Effective Treatments for Iron-Deficiency Pica

The most effective treatment for pica stemming from iron-deficiency anemia is to address the anemia itself. A multifaceted approach is usually recommended.

Oral Iron Therapy

Common treatments: Iron supplementation is a primary treatment.
Duration: Therapy is typically continued for a period of time, even after initial improvement, to fully replenish the body's iron stores.

Intravenous (IV) Iron Therapy

Indications: For severe anemia, cases of oral iron intolerance (due to side effects), or malabsorption issues (like celiac disease or bariatric surgery).
Speed: IV iron bypasses the digestive tract, potentially leading to faster iron repletion and a more rapid resolution of pica cravings.

Dietary Interventions

Iron-rich foods: Incorporating a diet rich in iron can help maintain healthy iron levels long-term. Options include red meat, poultry, fish, beans, lentils, and fortified cereals.
Enhancing absorption: Consuming vitamin C-rich foods with iron sources can potentially improve absorption.

Psychological and Behavioral Therapy

Supportive therapy: For some, particularly children or those with comorbid conditions, therapy can help manage the behavioral aspects of pica. This may involve behavioral interventions and coping strategies.

Comparison of Anemia and Cornstarch Consumption


Feature	Iron-Deficiency Anemia	Cornstarch Consumption (Amylophagia)
Underlying Cause	Insufficient iron in the body, which can be caused by blood loss, poor absorption, or inadequate intake.	A symptom of the underlying iron or other nutritional deficiency.
Symptom Profile	Fatigue, weakness, pallor, glossitis (inflamed tongue), and pica, including cornstarch cravings.	Compulsive eating of raw starch, potential dental damage, and gastrointestinal issues.
Nutritional Impact	Leads to poor oxygen transport, impacting energy levels and overall health.	Provides empty calories and carbohydrates, potentially exacerbating nutritional imbalances.
Treatment	Oral or intravenous iron supplementation to replenish iron stores.	Resolves when the underlying iron deficiency is treated effectively.
Health Risk	Weakness, fatigue, compromised immune system, cardiovascular stress.	Digestive blockages, tooth damage, blood sugar dysregulation, malnutrition.

Conclusion: A Symptom, Not a Cure

In conclusion, the craving to eat cornstarch in individuals with anemia is a classic manifestation of pica, a complex eating disorder directly linked to iron deficiency. While the craving itself may be strong, indulging in it is not a cure and can lead to significant health problems. The key to resolving this symptom lies in diagnosing and treating the underlying iron deficiency with medical supervision. This may involve a combination of oral iron supplements, intravenous therapy for more severe cases, and a sustained, nutrient-rich diet to prevent recurrence. Recognizing the craving for what it is—a signal from the body of a deeper nutritional need—is the first and most critical step toward recovery and improved health. For those experiencing these symptoms, seeking medical evaluation is paramount for effective treatment and avoiding further complications.

Visit the Cleveland Clinic for more information on the diagnosis and treatment of pica and iron deficiency.

Frequently Asked Questions

Pica is an eating disorder characterized by a persistent and compulsive craving to consume non-food items, which can include things like cornstarch, dirt, clay, or ice.

No, eating cornstarch does not help with anemia. It is a refined carbohydrate with no nutritional value, and consuming it only addresses the compulsive craving, not the underlying iron deficiency.

While the exact reason is not fully clear, researchers believe that the craving is a symptom caused by the body's attempt to signal or compensate for the severe mineral deficiency, rather than a conscious effort to gain nutrients from the cornstarch itself.

Yes, eating raw cornstarch in large quantities can be harmful. It can lead to digestive problems like bloating and constipation, cause blood sugar spikes, damage your teeth, and interfere with proper nutrition.

The proper treatment is to address the root cause, which is typically iron-deficiency anemia. A doctor will likely prescribe iron supplements, and in more severe cases, intravenous iron therapy may be necessary.

Yes, other common types of pica linked to anemia include pagophagia (compulsive ice chewing), geophagia (eating soil or clay), and cravings for uncooked rice.

Yes, while anemia is a common cause, pica can also be associated with other nutrient deficiencies (like zinc), pregnancy, certain mental health conditions (such as OCD), developmental disorders, and cultural or learned behaviors.