Surreal image representing pica and iron deficiency.

Craving the Inedible: Understanding Pica and Iron Deficiency

Soraya Malik in Health & Wellness November 2025 • 4 min read.

"Uncover the surprising link between unusual cravings and iron deficiency, and what it means for your health."

Have you ever craved something completely inedible? Perhaps a handful of dirt, a mouthful of ice, or even paper? While it might sound bizarre, this condition, known as pica, is more common than you might think, especially among certain populations. Pica is characterized by persistent cravings and consumption of non-nutritive substances for at least one month.

While the exact causes of pica are still being investigated, research increasingly points to a strong link with nutritional deficiencies, particularly iron deficiency. Iron is essential for various bodily functions, including oxygen transport and brain function. When iron levels are low, the body may send out strange signals, leading to these unusual cravings.

A study conducted in Marrakech, Morocco, sheds light on the prevalence of pica among individuals with iron deficiency anemia. This research highlights the importance of recognizing pica as a potential indicator of underlying health issues, particularly in women.

What is the Link Between Pica and Iron Deficiency Anemia?

Surreal image representing pica and iron deficiency.

The Marrakech study, published in Médecine et Santé Tropicales (2015), investigated the prevalence of pica in patients diagnosed with iron deficiency anemia at the Mohammed VI University Hospital Center. The study retrospectively examined data from January 2005 to December 2010, involving 320 adult patients with iron deficiency anemia.

The results revealed that 17.5% of these patients also experienced pica. Interestingly, all cases of pica were observed in women, with a prevalence of 21.8% among women with iron deficiency anemia. This highlights a significant association between the two conditions, particularly in females. The average age of patients experiencing both conditions was 23 years.

Geophagia (eating dirt): The most common form of pica reported (75% of cases).
Other substances: Included ice, paper, plastic, stones and paint chips.
Underlying causes: Menorrhagia (heavy menstrual bleeding) and pregnancy were identified as major contributing factors to iron deficiency in these patients.

The study also found that treating the iron deficiency, typically through iron supplementation, led to a resolution of pica symptoms in 64.3% of the patients. This further supports the connection between the two conditions.

What Does This Mean for You?

The Marrakech study reinforces the importance of recognizing pica as a potential symptom of underlying iron deficiency, particularly in women. If you experience persistent cravings for non-food items, it's crucial to consult with a healthcare professional. A simple blood test can determine your iron levels, and appropriate treatment, including iron supplementation and addressing underlying causes of iron loss, can help resolve both the deficiency and the unusual cravings. Remember, addressing the root cause is key to restoring your health and well-being.

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Everything You Need To Know

What exactly is pica, and what bodily deficiency is it often linked to?

Pica is an eating disorder characterized by persistent cravings for non-nutritive substances, like dirt, ice, or paper, lasting for at least one month. Research indicates a notable link between pica and nutritional deficiencies, especially iron deficiency, which is essential for oxygen transport and brain function.

What did the Marrakech study reveal about the connection between iron deficiency anemia and pica, especially among women?

The Marrakech study, published in *Médecine et Santé Tropicales*, found that 17.5% of iron deficiency anemia patients also experienced pica. Notably, all pica cases were in women, with a prevalence of 21.8% among women with iron deficiency anemia, suggesting a strong association between the two conditions, particularly in females around 23 years old. The most common form of pica reported was geophagia.

Besides dirt, what other non-food items do individuals with pica commonly crave, according to the Marrakech study?

The Marrakech study identified geophagia (eating dirt) as the most common type of pica, accounting for 75% of cases. Other substances craved included ice, paper, plastic, stones, and paint chips. Underlying causes of iron deficiency in the studied patients were menorrhagia (heavy menstrual bleeding) and pregnancy.

How effective is iron supplementation in resolving pica symptoms based on the Marrakech study, and what are potential implications if supplementation doesn't fully alleviate the condition?

The Marrakech study showed that treating iron deficiency, generally through iron supplementation, resolved pica symptoms in 64.3% of patients. This underscores the connection between iron levels and these unusual cravings. However, the study doesn't explore why iron supplementation was ineffective in the remaining 35.7% of patients. It's possible other underlying factors beyond iron deficiency, not addressed by iron supplementation alone, could contribute to pica in those cases.

What should I do if I'm experiencing unusual cravings for non-food items, and why is it important to identify the root cause rather than just taking supplements?

If you experience persistent cravings for non-food items, it's essential to consult a healthcare professional. A simple blood test can determine iron levels. Treatment might include iron supplementation and addressing underlying causes of iron loss. Conditions like menorrhagia can significantly contribute to iron deficiency, indicating the importance of identifying and treating the root cause to restore health and resolve unusual cravings, beyond only supplementation.