Geophagy and its potential human health implications - A review of some cases from South Africa

Malepe, Retshepile Evelyn; Candeias, Carla; Mouri, Hassina

doi:10.1016/j.jafrearsci.2023.104848

Cited by 1 publication

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“…However, due to cultural reasons, only women declared openly their practice during a geophagy interview questionnaires (Malepe, 2022 ). Like in many other countries in Africa (Kambunga et al, 2019a , 2019b ) and in South Africa (Malepe et al, 2023 ), geophagy among women in the study area, is motivated by several factors, which are both sociocultural and physiological. These factors include cultural and traditional beliefs, need for supplementation of nutrients deficiency especially during pregnancy, detoxification, and protection of the gastrointestinal tract from toxins and overacidity (Malepe et al, 2023 ).…”

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confidence: 67%

Geochemical composition and potential health risks of geophagic materials: an example from a rural area in the Limpopo Province of South Africa

Mouri

Malepe

Candeias

2023

Environ Geochem Health

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Geophagy is a common practice among rural population of the Fetakgomo Tubatse Local Municipality area in the Limpopo Province of South Africa. Although, the practice might be beneficial to the health of the consumers, its negative effects could overshadow the positive effects and might lead to detrimental health issues. The present work sought to investigate the geochemical composition as well as pH and organic matter (OM) content of geophagic materials commonly consumed in the study area. Furthermore, assessment of the potential health risk of the materials on geophagic individuals was also considered. Twelve samples were collected in the study area and analysed by X-ray Fluorescence (XRF) and Inductively Coupled Plasma—Mass Spectrometry (ICP-MS) for major and trace elements composition. The results showed higher concentrations of non-essential elements (e.g., As, Cr, Pb) than the proposed recommended daily standards intake, suggesting a potential health risk. The alkaline nature (pH 6.80 to 9.22) of the studied samples might affect the bioacessibility of some essential elements. Furthermore, the OM content (> 0.7%) observed in some of the studied samples may retain pathogenic micro-organisms detrimental to health. Although As and Cr presented a low bioaccessible fraction (< 16.0%), health risk assessment revealed that their concentrations represented a hazard (HQ > 1) and might induce non-carcinogenic health threats to geophagic individuals. Based on the geochemical analysis, pH and OM content as well as health risk assessment findings, the studied geophagic materials are not considered suitable for human consumption. The practice should therefore be discouraged amongst the population in the study area to avoid possible detrimental health issues.

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