Chalk natural lump for food

2024 Author: Isabella Gilson | [email protected]. Last modified: 2024-01-02 16:12

Surely everyone knows a couple of stories about people who eat natural chalk. Someone sinned in their school years, dragging crayons from their classrooms in order to enjoy an unusual delicacy alone, someone was drawn to chalk during pregnancy or a long illness …

Earlier, such phenomena were considered food perversions and nothing else. Today, scientists look at the issue a little more, trying to understand the reasons for such unusual taste habits. Let's try to figure out what makes people eat inedible objects at first glance? And at the same time, let's talk about what to do for people who, just looking at a blackboard with neatly stacked crayons, start salivating.

The Big Question: Why?

To understand the reasons, let's turn to narrow specialists, in particular, chemists and geologists. Chemists will say that the formula of natural chalk is theoretically indistinguishable from the formula of calcium carbonate: CaCO_{3. But in practice, there is a huge amount of impurities in a piece of chalk, among which there may be magnesium, carbon dioxide(related) and other elements. Nevertheless, the main component is calcium. The lack of calcium in the body and causes meloeaters to fill in the gaps in such an unusual way.}

And geologists will only confirm the version. After all, chalk is nothing but the remains of ancient living organisms, or rather, their shells and skeletons. Add to this ancient algae rich in trace elements. Why not a bioadditive?

A person with a calcium deficiency is subconsciously looking for affordable ways to replenish his reserves. It is because of this that chalk seems tasty to some people. And, I must say, meloids are not alone: there are many people who have similar unusual addictions. Clay seems delicious to some, sand to others. If you notice such oddities in yourself or your child, think about the nutrition system as a whole. Eating unusual substances always signals problems in the body that can be solved in different ways.

Unsafe product

The easiest way to quench your chalky thirst is to purchase stationery sets. It's good if the crayons are white, without dyes. Remember: even natural white chalk is unsafe, and colored chalk is even worse!

But there is an even more brutal way that poses a threat to he alth. We are talking about chalk quarries, in which it is so easy to get at least a year's supply of a dubious delicacy. The raw chalk contains chemical impurities that are definitely not worth eating. Be aware of the bacteria that abound in "wild" chalk.

Categorically not suitable for eating construction and agricultural chalk. Even if you happened to whitewash the room and the smell of diluted whitewash drives you crazy - control yourself! The same applies to mineral fertilizers based on this ingredient. Eating such "delicacies" can have irreversible he alth consequences. Then none of the “strengthening of bones”, for which it is supposedly worth using this product, will help the body.

How was it before?

And that's exactly what happened. Natural chalk was collected in quarries and chalk mountains, mechanically cleaned of visible impurities, washed with water, dried and eaten.

Those who have ever been to the chalk mountains are surely impressed by their indescribable pristine beauty. Monasteries and temples were built in such places since ancient times. Many considered it a duty of honor to bring from a pilgrimage to holy places a few chalk blocks with healing powers. Often, for the sake of these miraculous properties, such “holy” chalk was eaten even by those who, in principle, are indifferent to it.

Modern technologies in the service of the people

Today things have changed somewhat. As before, monastic farms located near the deposits offer pilgrims consecrated natural lumpy chalk for food, but nowadays this raw material is subject to mandatory certification. Its quality is controlled by the relevant services. It is worth noting that some deposits really give out very pure, quite usable natural chalk, the properties of whichformed over thousands of years. And yet, if you go to the mountains for a miraculous mineral, do not collect it yourself, it is better to purchase it in a church shop. Natural lumpy chalk for food, the photo of which you see below, is produced taking into account all modern state standards and may well be eaten. It was mined in the Svyatogorsk Cretaceous Mountains.

The same rule applies in all other places. For example, if Belgorod natural lump chalk was recommended to you, this does not mean that you need to spontaneously mine it in the White Mountains. Purchase certified products from a trusted supplier. In this case, you are guaranteed to receive a product free of impurities, pathogenic flora and quite suitable for eating.

Where can I get natural chalk?

In many major cities there are entire communities of meloeaters who willingly share their experience with newcomers. Communication with one's own kind is useful in any situation. It's good if the ideological masterminds of the group understand all the dangers and difficulties associated with such gourmet habits.

Today's level of globalization makes it easy to get chalk from any corner of the earth. Along with the local product, foreign products can be found on sale: British, Czech…

Experienced Cretaceous gourmets know that each deposit has its own characteristics. For example, the Svyatogorsk product mined in the ancient mountains of Donbass is sweetish and crispy, and the variety General Vatutin (N. Oskol) is distinguished by its grayish color and creamy taste. Yes, yes, the meloids have their preferences, loved ones.varieties and recognized favorites! Everything is important: the formation of dust, strength, the abundance of slurry formed during resorption, aftertaste, smell … Natural lump chalk for food, reviews of which are distinguished by the enthusiasm of eaters, can cost two to three times more than other varieties.

Alternatives

Before you finally consider yourself a member of the community of followers of this product, analyze the state of your own he alth. Perhaps you have seasonal problems with immunity and a course of vitamins with trace elements will be enough for you? Consult with a therapist and choose the best option. The doctor will tell you that in order to compensate for calcium deficiency, it is recommended to take this microelement in tandem with vitamin D. The pharmaceutical form of release is exactly this: calcium + vitamin D, and in the form in which both of these elements are easily absorbed by the body and quickly begin to work.

Tribute to fashion

Or maybe it's even worse and you decided to start feasting on chalk just for the sake of originality? In this case, you will be disappointed: it is not so unusual. Better "love" raw spinach, grapefruit or turnips, this cute oddity is really original and incredibly he althy.

Nutrition Correction

But those who seriously notice a strange love for the mineral in themselves should definitely analyze their diet. Dairy products are the main sources of calcium. What do you mean you don't love? If you are not a fan of milk and cottage cheese, discover new horizons for yourself: learn how to make homemade yogurt or boilcheese, try some exotic like tan airan or narine. Perhaps you will find a delicacy that you will like, distract from thoughts about natural chalk and heal joints and bones.

Chalk in the diet of pets and farm animals

Veterinarians recommend leaving pieces of chalk in the cages of domestic decorative birds: parrots, canaries, goldfinches. Feathers need calcium for the formation of eggshells, this is especially true during the mating season. However, it is worth noting that not all birds eat chalk, some ignore the bars, and they are indifferent to the feed, to which the crushed product is added.

In agriculture, chalk is used to feed some animals and poultry.

You can buy it in specialized feed stores. It is not suitable for human consumption.

Summing up: the benefits and harms of edible chalk

No serious doctor will ever write on a prescription sheet: "Eating chalk is recommended." For the worst forms of calcium deficiency, science knows many safe alternatives. Speaking of edible chalk, you need to understand that this is just the safest way to satisfy those who cannot live without it.

If, when thinking about the benefits of natural chalk, you are convinced that it is about calcium, be sure to consider the other side of the coin. Once in the stomach, chalk reacts with gastric juice, which is known to have an acidic pH. The reaction proceeds according to the principle of lime slaking. Therefore, people who often eat chalk often have problems with the gastrointestinal tract.

It is also dangerous for the genitourinary system. Over time, chalk can accumulate in the kidneys, narrowing the lumen of blood vessels, which, in turn, can cause some serious diseases, and also contributes to the formation of stones.

Many doctors warn about the dangers to which vessels are exposed. Chalk is deposited on the walls, causing increased calcification. Similar negative effects can affect the heart.

Chalk is especially dangerous for pregnant women, but, as you know, they make up the majority among meloeaters. Doctors warn that excessive consumption of it can cause great harm to both mother and baby, and the birth process itself can be complicated.

Still, if you have an insatiable craving for this product, and the search for alternatives does not result in a decrease in appetite, sometimes you can treat yourself to a piece of pure food chalk from a manufacturer with a good reputation.