In recent years, TikTok has brought us some innovative food trends, many of which have focused on vegetables. There was Tabitha Brown’s viral carrot bacon. That cringy (but maybe delicious) scallion coffee trend. And we’re still eating entire cucumbers thanks to Logan Moffit (aka “cucumber guy”).
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But there’s one trend that’s taking things beneath the surface and to the soil with TikTokers claiming that eating dirt can provide a variety of health benefits, ranging from improved gut health to clearer skin.
But does eating dirt actually hurt?
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TikTokers are eating dirt
In recent weeks, videos encouraging the consumption of dirt have gone viral on TikTok, with users extolling the virtues of soil for everything from enhancing gut health to reducing body fat.
These claims are often grounded in the belief that the microorganisms in soil can boost the diversity of the gut microbiome, which has been linked to better overall health.
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Some individuals, referred to as “crunchers,” even enjoy the act of eating dirt, claiming that it provides nutrients that are difficult to obtain through regular diets.
One such TikTok video, posted by @stefanie_adler, suggests that a teaspoon of organic soil can contain “more microorganisms than humans on earth.” The logic here is that this bacterial diversity might restore balance to a person’s gut microbiome, especially when modern diets are blamed for reducing microbial variety.
However, while the gut microbiome has indeed been an important focus of recent scientific research, health professionals remain skeptical about the idea that eating dirt is the solution.
Does eating dirt actually hurt?
The practice of eating dirt is known as geophagy, and has been observed in various cultures throughout history. At its core, geophagy falls under the broader category of pica, a condition where individuals consume non-food substances.
Though some TikTokers are enthusiastic about the potential benefits, experts are warning against this untested trend.
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“In some traditions, consuming certain types of soil is thought to help with gut health or provide trace minerals that are hard to get elsewhere,” Ria Hawle, B.SC and M.SC. in Nutrition and Dietetics, tells VegNews. However, she cautions that these beliefs are not backed by scientific evidence, making the trend particularly concerning in today’s context.
Despite its seemingly harmless origins, the practice of eating dirt can expose people to a range of harmful substances.
“Soil can be contaminated with harmful substances like heavy metals, parasites, and bacteria, which pose serious health risks,” Hawle says.
These contaminants are not always visible or easy to detect, and their presence can lead to significant health complications, including digestive issues and infections. Even products marketed as “edible dirt” on sites such as Amazon and Etsy may lack proper testing and regulation, meaning consumers are taking a risk by ingesting them.
Akanksha Kulkarni, a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist at Prowise Healthcare, agrees, pointing out that claims about eating dirt are largely anecdotal and lack scientific validation.
“Clay ingestion has further been associated with risks to the gut, and more so, the colon such as choking or even constipation due to clay pits occurring within the digestive tract,” Kulkarni tells VegNews.
These risks can be compounded for populations already facing nutritional challenges, such as those who are anemic or malnourished. Eating dirt, in these cases, can worsen existing health conditions and create new complications.
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Both experts stress that dirt cannot fulfill the body’s need for essential vitamins, minerals, or fiber, which are critical to maintaining a healthy diet. “Dirt and clay ingested by human beings do not provide any nutritional perks,” Kulkarni says. Ingesting non-food substances like dirt may distort the balance of nutrients, leading to deficiencies in the long run.
In addition to the internal health risks, eating dirt can have serious consequences for dental health. “Even if eating dirt has the health benefits some people claim it has, it’s not great for your mouth. Not all dirt is soft—it can contain tiny rocks or hard particles,” Jerry Friedman, DDS of North Jersey Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery, tells VegNews. “Even if dirt appears to be free of such things, it may not be.”
“You could make your gums bleed, chip a tooth, or even cause your teeth to break,” Friedman says. “These problems are not only costly to fix, but they can be extremely painful.”
What to eat instead of dirt
Rather than turning to dirt for health benefits, Kulkarni advises focusing on nutrient-rich, whole foods that can genuinely improve gut health and digestion. “If you are looking for health benefits like better digestion or detoxification, then the focus should be on whole foods that are rich in nutrients,” she recommends.
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Fruits, vegetables, grains, legumes, and beans—the nutritious plants that grow from soil—all offer natural sources of fiber, which is known to aid digestion and support gut health.
“A healthy balance in the gut encourages digestion, strengthens immunity, and promotes general health, sans the danger of eating non-food items such as dirt,” Kulkarni says.
As showcased in the Netflix documentary Hack Your Health, research continues to point to the power of consuming a diverse diet, aiming to eat at least 20 different kinds of plants every week to support a healthy gut.
“People should aim for long-term wellness enabling nutrition from research-backed cuisine rather than quick-fix apps that address superficial issues,” Kulkarni says.
Experts agree that there are safer, more effective ways to improve digestion and overall health without turning to dangerous TikTok trends. “The bottom line is that fresh, simple foods are usually the best choice, and that’s something no flashy marketing can replace,” Hawle says.
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Anna Starostinetskaya is the Senior News Editor at VegNews and is always keeping an eye on all things vegan in her home city of San Francisco, CA and everywhere else.
