Chalk is not something most people even think to eat.
But many people, especially children, crave for chalk or other non-foodstuffs. 😮
I got so many questions about it, asking what happens if you eat chalk?
So, let me explain. 🧐
What Happens if You Eat Chalk?
Eating chalk can harm your teeth and digestive system. It also causes constipation, poisoning, parasites and loss of appetite. 😮
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. 😮
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. 🤔
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. 😮 [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. ☑️
We rely on reputed and specialized media sites, academic research institutions, peer-reviewed studies, government agencies, and medical associations to source information. 📰
We avoid using tertiary references. Know more about how we ensure our content is accurate and current by reading our editorial policy. 🧐
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[↩]
