As a result, geophagy has continued to pass from generation to generation.

Indigenous peoples around the world still use clay widely, which is related to geophagy.

Light infection causes abdominal pain, loss of appetite and geophagy.

They have been known to engage in geophagy, the process of eating clay to detoxify their food.

The persistence of geophagy within a family or community can also partially be explained by a simple mother/daughter sharing mechanism.

The cultural meaning of dirt may be another factor that contribute to making geophagy an unacceptable practice in some cultures.

Therefore, it seems geophagy is not principally used to buffer the stomach pH levels.

The consumption of flowers, as well as soil (geophagy), was rarely observed in this study.

In particular, geophagy is widespread among contemporary non-human primates.

Indeed, Western cultures have continued the practice of geophagy, but only under the guise of vitamins and minerals.

Children's predilection to engage in geophagy makes them more susceptible to worm infestations.

Ruffed lemurs have also been reported to come to the ground to eat fungi and exhibit geophagy.

It feeds mostly on tree buds and weed seeds; geophagy has been observed in this species.

In Haiti, the poorest economy in the Western Hemisphere, geophagy is widespread.

Researchers have noticed that geophagy is not as prevalent as it once was as rural Americans assimilate into urban culture.

- The so-called geophagy, or, tropical (better: malaria) chlorosis as a disease of all lands and climes.

The Western view of dirt as impure and contaminated may also explain negative connotation and repulsion with geophagy.

Nevertheless, these risks are generally well understood by most tribal populations that engage in geophagy, hence 'clean' earth from below the surface level is sought out.

This type of geophagy has been documented in "many species of mammals, birds, reptiles, butterflies and isopods, especially among herbivores."

Also, the eating of clay (a form of geophagy) has been documented in historical sources beginning with Ancient Mesopotamia and Egypt.

This is related to geophagy, which is extremely widespread among animals in the wild as well as among domesticated animals.

Animals also consume dirt (geophagy) to obtain minerals, such as Canadian moose mining for minerals from the root wads of fallen trees.

Clay is used widely by indigenous peoples around the world, and is related to geophagy (since the clay is consumed internally).

Johns T, Duquette M, "Detoxification and mineral supplementation as functions of geophagy."

Soil consumption (geophagy) has also been reported and likely helps with digestion, provides minerals and salts, and helps absorb toxins.