Talk about eating local. According to a new article in New York, the practice of new mothers eating their own placentas (a phenomenon that first surfaced in the 70s) is again becoming trendy— at least in Brooklyn. Placenta-eating advocates say the afterbirth is highly nutritious and that eating it can help with breast-feeding and postpartum depression. Is nibbling on placenta jerky or sipping on an afterbirth smoothie really worth it — or is this just a gross fad?
There's no proof this is helpful: While "proponents say eating one's own placenta can result in better moods, more successful breast-feeding, a reduced chance of postpartum depression and more energy," there's no research to support any of those claims, says KJ Dell Antonia at Slate. Placenta-eating advocates also note that "virtually every land mammal" eats their own placenta, but c'mon "many, if not most, land mammals also eat their infants' poop."
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