Ayilo: A Neglected Gold Mine, lowers cholesterol, stops the growth of cancer cells 06.11.2023 LISTEN Pica is an eating disorder in which a person eats things not usually considered food. One of the most known Pica’s is ayilo. Ayilo , also known as ayilor by the Gadangmes , is a Ghanaian term for kaolin or bentonite clay . It is a baked solid white clay usually taken by pregnant women . They are usually baked into egg-shaped balls. Ewes call it agatawoe/agatawe , and the Akans call it shirew/shile . Also, Ayilo is known as mabele in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Cameroon as calaba. Nsu in Nigeria(https://www.alowafoods.com/products/mabele). The English name is Kaolin. People sometimes say it is bentonite clay. However, they are in the same family with the same benefits. But what are the scientific benefits of ayilo? I herein explore in this article. Science Ayilo is a neglected ‘gold mine.’ A review of geophagy by Sherman et al.(2011) in 482 people and 297 animals found evidence to suggest the main reason people eat dirt is the possible protection soil might offer against toxins. However, more research is needed to support this theory. Geophagy means eating dirt as part of a cultural practice, or because other people in the family or community also eat dirt, which differs from pica. In this instance, there’s a clear reason for eating dirt. On the other hand, Pagophagia, persistent ice eating or cravings for ice, can also be a sign of pica. Pica usually won’t be diagnosed in children, as many children eat dirt when they are young and stop on their own. Pica can co-occur with conditions such as trichotillomania or schizophrenia, but it doesn’t always involve a separate mental health diagnosis. Diarrhoea, Constipation One animal study by Callahan GN(2003) reasoned that animals eat dirt or clay when they have diarrhea, stomach distress, or poisonous fruit. Bismuth subsalicylate (Kaopectate), a medication that treats diarrhea, has a mineral makeup that’s similar to kaolin, or the kind of clay some people eat for the same purpose. So eating soil could potentially […]
Click here to view original web page at www.modernghana.com