Why Would Someone Eat Starch? Uncovering the Medical and Psychological Reasons

November 17, 2025 •

5 min read

According to a study on pregnant women in Ghana, nearly 47.5 percent reported some form of pica, including a craving to eat starch, highlighting that this behavior is more common than many realize. While starch is a normal part of our diets, the craving for pure, raw starch is a different matter entirely, often indicating a deeper issue that requires attention.

Quick Summary

Pure starch cravings, or amylophagia, can be driven by a range of factors including iron-deficiency anemia, zinc deficiency, or psychological needs for texture and comfort. It can also stem from cultural practices or specific medical conditions. Large amounts of pure starch offer little nutritional value and can pose significant health risks if untreated, requiring a medical evaluation to address the root cause.

Key Points

Nutrient Deficiency: Craving pure starch is often a sign of underlying deficiencies, most commonly iron-deficiency anemia or zinc deficiency.
Pica Disorder: The compulsive eating of non-food items like raw starch is a form of the eating disorder pica, also known as amylophagia.
Pregnancy Risk: Pregnant women are at a higher risk of developing pica, often linked to increased nutritional demands and anemia during gestation.
Sensory and Stress Triggers: The appeal can be psychological, related to the unique powdery texture or a coping mechanism for stress and anxiety.
Health Hazards: Eating large, non-nutritive amounts of pure starch can cause digestive issues, worsen nutrient deficiencies, and lead to blood sugar spikes.
Medical Treatment: A doctor can diagnose the root cause with blood tests and recommend appropriate treatment, such as iron supplements or counseling.
Therapeutic Use: In rare medical cases, like glycogen storage diseases, raw starch is used under strict medical supervision to manage blood sugar, but this differs from a compulsive craving.

Starch in a Balanced Diet vs. Pure Starch Consumption

Starch is a complex carbohydrate and an essential component of a healthy diet, found in foods like potatoes, bread, rice, and other grains. It provides the body with its main source of energy, glucose, which fuels every cell and is vital for brain function. A balanced diet rich in starchy foods also offers essential vitamins, minerals, and fiber. For most people, consuming starchy foods is safe and beneficial.

However, the issue arises when a person develops a compulsive and overwhelming craving to consume pure, processed starch directly, often in its raw, powdery form. This condition is known as amylophagia, a specific type of pica. Pica is an eating disorder characterized by a persistent appetite for non-food items, such as dirt, ice, or laundry starch. Amylophagia is distinct from simply enjoying starchy foods as part of a meal and is often a sign of an underlying medical or psychological problem.

Medical Reasons for Amylophagia

Iron-Deficiency Anemia

One of the most well-documented medical links to amylophagia is iron-deficiency anemia. Pica is frequently associated with a mineral deficiency, particularly low iron and zinc levels. While the exact mechanism is not fully understood, the craving for non-food substances often subsides once the deficiency is corrected. Studies have also shown that the ingested starch can bind to elemental iron in the gastrointestinal tract, hindering its absorption and potentially worsening the anemia. This creates a vicious cycle where the craving is caused by and exacerbated by the deficiency. Symptoms of iron-deficiency anemia, such as fatigue, weakness, pale skin, and a rapid heartbeat, may accompany the intense craving for starch.

Pregnancy and Increased Nutritional Needs

Pica is more common in pregnant women due to the body's increased nutritional demands. During pregnancy, the risk of developing iron-deficiency anemia is higher, which can trigger cravings for non-food items like cornstarch. Some pregnant individuals may also crave the texture or find it helps alleviate morning sickness. While cravings for pure starch during pregnancy can be common, it is crucial to consult a healthcare provider to rule out or treat any underlying deficiencies that could affect both maternal and fetal health.

Glycogen Storage Diseases

In rare cases, uncooked cornstarch is used therapeutically to manage certain metabolic conditions, such as glycogen storage diseases. This is a strictly supervised medical practice, where measured doses of raw starch are used as a slow-release source of carbohydrates to prevent hypoglycemia (low blood sugar), particularly overnight. This is a controlled medical intervention and not a casual, compulsive habit.

Psychological and Sensory Factors

Beyond physiological imbalances, psychological factors can also drive the craving to eat starch.

The Sensory Appeal

For some, eating pure starch is purely a sensory experience. The fine, powdery texture and the way it dissolves in the mouth can be oddly satisfying. The rise of Autonomous Sensory Meridian Response (ASMR) videos on platforms like YouTube and TikTok, where creators consume cornstarch and describe the texture, has further normalized this behavior for certain niche audiences. This can lead to a habit driven by sensory preference rather than nutritional need.

Stress and Emotional Coping

Amylophagia can serve as a coping mechanism for stress, anxiety, or other emotional distress. Compulsive eating behaviors can be a way to self-soothe or manage difficult emotions. Individuals who eat starch for comfort may do so secretly and feel embarrassed or ashamed of the habit. Treating the underlying psychological factors, often with therapy, is essential for overcoming this type of pica.

Potential Dangers of Eating Pure Starch

While an essential part of a healthy diet, the excessive, non-nutritive consumption of pure starch carries several risks:

Nutritional Deficiency: Eating pure starch, which is high in carbs but low in nutrients, can displace more nutritious foods from the diet, leading to malnourishment.
Digestive Issues: Large amounts of pure, raw starch can cause significant digestive problems, including bloating, gas, and severe constipation. Cooking starch helps break it down for easier digestion, a process absent when consumed raw.
Exacerbated Anemia: As mentioned, the ingestion of starch can actively inhibit the absorption of iron, worsening an underlying deficiency.
Blood Sugar Spikes: The high glycemic index of refined starch means it is digested quickly and can cause rapid spikes in blood sugar, posing a risk for individuals with diabetes or insulin resistance.
Potential Toxicity: Consumption of laundry starch, as opposed to food-grade starch, can be toxic due to added ingredients like borax or polishing agents.
Dental Damage: The hard, gritty nature of some non-food items in pica, though less so with pure starch powder, can cause damage to teeth over time.

Comparison: Normal Starchy Foods vs. Pure Processed Starch


Feature	Normal Starchy Foods (e.g., Potatoes, Whole Grains)	Pure Processed Starch (e.g., Raw Cornstarch)
Nutritional Profile	Good source of carbohydrates, fiber, vitamins, and minerals.	High in carbohydrates and calories, but very low in essential nutrients.
Digestion	Fiber-rich options like whole grains digest slowly, providing a sustained release of energy and promoting satiety.	Digests quickly, potentially causing rapid blood sugar spikes due to a high glycemic index and low fiber content.
Health Impact	Part of a healthy, balanced diet. Can lower cholesterol and support gut health (resistant starch).	Can lead to nutritional deficiencies, digestive problems like bloating and constipation, and potentially harm heart health with excessive, long-term intake.
Associated Behavior	Conscious food choice for nourishment and energy.	Often a compulsive craving, driven by deficiency, medical need, or psychological factors.
Risk of Malabsorption	Low risk.	High risk, especially for iron, due to the starch binding to minerals.

What to Do If You or Someone You Know Eats Starch

Consult a healthcare professional. A doctor can conduct blood tests to check for nutritional deficiencies like iron or zinc. For pregnant individuals, an obstetrician or midwife should be the first point of contact.
Address the underlying cause. If a deficiency is found, supplements can help. If the cause is psychological, a mental health professional can provide support and strategies.
Seek nutritional counseling. A registered dietitian can help create a balanced diet plan to ensure proper nutrient intake and manage cravings.
Explore healthier alternatives. If the craving is for texture, try substituting with crunchy, fibrous, or fortified foods. Examples include cooked puddings, oatmeal, or even chewing gum.
Remove the source of temptation. If possible, remove the raw starch from the environment to help break the cycle of craving and consumption.

Conclusion: Seek Professional Guidance for Starch Cravings

The craving to compulsively eat pure starch is a complex issue with roots in medical, nutritional, and psychological factors. While it may seem like a strange or harmless habit, it can signal a serious underlying condition, such as iron-deficiency anemia, and carries significant health risks. The best course of action is to seek a professional medical evaluation to identify and treat the root cause, rather than continuing to consume a substance that offers no nutritional benefit and can lead to complications. With proper diagnosis and treatment, most people can overcome the craving and return to healthier eating habits. The Cleveland Clinic provides comprehensive information on pica, including its causes and treatments. Pica: What It Is, Causes, Symptoms & Treatment

Frequently Asked Questions

The craving for starch, or amylophagia, is often linked to nutritional deficiencies, particularly iron-deficiency anemia and zinc deficiency. It is also a known symptom of the eating disorder pica.

No, it is not advisable to eat large amounts of raw cornstarch. While small amounts used in cooked recipes are safe, excessive consumption can cause digestive problems like gas and bloating, and it can contribute to nutrient malabsorption.

Pica, including the craving for starch, is common during pregnancy and can be a sign of iron-deficiency anemia or increased nutritional needs. Hormonal shifts and a heightened sense of smell and taste may also play a role.

Yes, eating laundry starch is dangerous because it can contain toxic substances like borax, magnesium salts, and polishing agents. Ingesting these substances can lead to poisoning with severe symptoms.

Dietary starch is found naturally in complex carbohydrate-rich foods like grains and vegetables, which also provide fiber and nutrients. Pure processed starch, like cornstarch, has been stripped of its nutrients and fiber during processing, offering little beyond carbohydrates and calories.

You should consult a doctor, as the craving may indicate a nutritional deficiency. They can perform blood tests and recommend treatment, such as iron supplements. For cravings driven by psychological factors, a mental health professional can provide strategies and support.

Yes, psychological factors can play a role. For some, the craving is driven by the unique texture of the substance, while for others, it may be a coping mechanism for stress or anxiety.