1) The practice of dirt-eating, or geophagy, is common, perhaps because "clean" dirt appears to impart some protection against parasites and pathogens. Cynthia Graber reports.

2) Unfortunately, geophagy is also practiced to avoid hunger pains when other food is scarce.

3) It may also explain why geophagy is often most common among pregnant women and nursing mothers.

4) Yet, geophagy is actually a relatively common practice in many parts of the world.

5) There's a habit that's had scientists puzzled: the practice of geophagy—eating dirt.

6) This may be why geophagists often claim to like the "sour taste" of dirt and to have cravings for it. It may also explain why geophagy is often most common among pregnant women and nursing mothers.

7) People can often get more of these nutrients from geophagy than from taking vitamin supplements.

8) The fact that the eating of soil is also widespread in the animal kingdom suggests that geophagy may even be a natural process.