The function of human geophagy has long
been questioned. We sought to test hypotheses
concerning its potential physiological effects through
analysis of soils and patterns in geophagy behavior.
Eleven samples of geophagic soils consumed by pregnant
women on Pemba Island, Zanzibar, Tanzania, were
characterized according to their color, texture, major
element chemistry, trace element chemistry, bulk mineralogy,
and clay mineralogy. An epidemiological study
(N=2367) and ethnographic interviews (N=57) on Pemba
yielded information about geophagic behaviors and sociodemographic
and biological characteristics of those who
consumed earth. The soils varied widely in color, ranging
from light red to white through various shades of brown
and yellow, and texture ranged from clay to sand. Major
element chemistry of the soils also varied greatly; most
were low in Fe and Ca. Trace elements, whether of
biological or non-biological significance, were uniformly
The function of human geophagy has longbeen questioned. We sought to test hypothesesconcerning its potential physiological effects throughanalysis of soils and patterns in geophagy behavior.Eleven samples of geophagic soils consumed by pregnantwomen on Pemba Island, Zanzibar, Tanzania, werecharacterized according to their color, texture, majorelement chemistry, trace element chemistry, bulk mineralogy,and clay mineralogy. An epidemiological study(N=2367) and ethnographic interviews (N=57) on Pembayielded information about geophagic behaviors and sociodemographicand biological characteristics of those whoconsumed earth. The soils varied widely in color, rangingfrom light red to white through various shades of brownand yellow, and texture ranged from clay to sand. Majorelement chemistry of the soils also varied greatly; mostwere low in Fe and Ca. Trace elements, whether ofbiological or non-biological significance, were uniformly
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