Chalk is not something most people even think to eat.
But many people, especially children, crave for chalk or other non-foodstuffs. ๐ฎ
I got so many questions about it, asking what happens if you eat chalk?
So, let me explain. ๐ง
What Happens if You Eat Chalk?
Eating chalk can harm your teeth and digestive system. It also causes constipation, poisoning, parasites andย loss of appetite. ๐ฎ
The main component of chalk is calcium carbonate, a form of limestone. [1]
It is formed deep under the sea by the compression of microscopic plankton that had settled to the sea floor.
But don’t think blackboard chalk only contains calcium carbonate. ๐ฎ
Calcium carbonate is typically bound with kaolin clay, Oleic acid, and Sodium hydroxide. [2]
Also, a variety of formulations are used to make chalk. Most of which are made from calcium sulfate hemihydrate (Plaster of Paris), which reacts with water to form Gypsum. [2]
Dry pigments may be added for increased whiteness or coloration. [2]
So, eating chalk is definitely not beneficial to you in any way. ๐ค
Regular chalk eating does many harm as mentioned earlier.
The Final Word
Chalk eating or the feeling of eating chalk might be a medical condition called pica.
Pica is a rare eating disorder that involves consuming items that are not typically food and do not provide nutritional value. ๐ฎ [3]
If this is your case, please consult with a doctor for proper diagnosis and treatment.
References
This article is written by a certified nutritionist and verified by scientific evidence. โ๏ธ
We rely on reputed and specialized media sites, academic research institutions, peer-reviewed studies, government agencies, and medical associations to source information. ๐ฐ
We avoid using tertiary references. Know more about how we ensure our content is accurate and current by reading our editorial policy. ๐ง
Following are the references of this article.
- WikiPedia: Chalk. Accessed 13 November 2021[↩]
- Cameo: Blackboard Chalk. Accessed 13 November 2021[↩][↩][↩]
- National Eating Disorders Association: PICA. Accessed 13 November 2021[↩]