People are eating mud on social media claiming it has health and beauty benefits

Are you eating dirt? The question might look like a joke, but it really isn't. In fact, eating mud is being touted as best thing for the human body, not just in terms of keeping you healthy, but also to keep you looking beautiful and young.

It has taken off on TikTok majorly, with people citing its several health benefits, the New York Post reported. A TikTok shows a baby feasting on dry mud with the caption, “[One] teaspoon of organic biodynamic soil has more microorganisms than humans on earth." It was posted by Stephanie Adler, a fertility and hormone coach.

It is also being promoted as a potent beauty tool that can remove acne, tighten pores and make you more radiant. There are the claims being made by people selling dirt on the internet.

Yes, "edible" dirt is available for sale on websites like Amazon where you can order a bag if you don't want to go around picking it up from your yard.

A sack of mud selling online typically comes in the form of ingestible clay and can cost you anywhere from around $11 to $27. The price is specific to not just the quantity, but also the quality of the mud.

As per an Amazon vendor, an edible red clay sack costing $11.99 is an “anti-ageing” tool. He claims, “It unclog the pores from sebum, tightens pores [and] has anti-ageing effects.”

“It helps in balancing the sebum production that causes pimples [and] dandruff. Thus, we get a healthy face…”

Is there any science to it?

Yes, there is! Some scientific research shows that the odd practice of gobbling dirt might be good for the human body. A 2019 study said that "soil contributes to the human gut microbiome".

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“It was essential in the evolution of the human gut microbiome and it is a major inoculant and provider of beneficial gut microorganisms.”

The researchers stated that adding soil to one's diet might even eliminate the need for livestock and dairy products, and has the potential to improve the digestive system.

The study cited the role of dirt in the diet of pre-historic man who regularly used it to gain more nutrients. "Since pre-history, humans have willingly consumed soils as a supplement to their otherwise nutrient-poor local diet, a habitude called ‘geophagy,'" they said.

Other research, as per the Post, states that dirt can boost your immune system.

“Using materials…such as the soil and plant based materials…might be a more effective approach to enhance microbial diversity, and therefore prevent and cure immune system disorders," as per experts from the University of Helsinki.

It can allegedly help fight obesity because it can absorb body fat. Beauty benefits of dirt, as per some influencers, include reducing acne and wrinkles.

Warning: Despite what the research says, it is important to consult a health practitioner before you go munching on dirt.