Is it bad to eat paper? The simple answer is yes, consuming paper is generally considered harmful to human health. Paper is primarily a cellulose product, a substance the human body cannot process for energy, meaning it offers zero nutritional value. The risks associated with eating paper fall into three main categories: biological indigestibility, immediate physical dangers, and the potential toxicity from the chemical additives used in its manufacture.
What Paper Is Made Of and Why We Can’t Digest It
Paper is fundamentally a mat of cellulose fibers, which are sourced mainly from wood pulp and other plant materials. Cellulose is a polysaccharide, meaning it is a long chain of glucose molecules, similar to starch, but the chemical bonds linking these molecules are configured differently. Specifically, cellulose uses a beta-acetal linkage.
The human digestive system is not equipped to break this particular chemical bond. Humans lack the enzyme cellulase, which is necessary to hydrolyze the beta-acetal linkages and release the glucose units for absorption. This is in contrast to ruminant animals, like cows, that host specialized gut bacteria to produce cellulase, allowing them to digest grass and other high-fiber plants.
Because the body cannot break down the cellulose, paper passes through the digestive tract largely intact, similar to insoluble dietary fiber. While small amounts may not cause immediate harm, they provide no caloric energy or absorbable nutrients.
Immediate Physical Hazards of Ingestion
Beyond the nutritional void, the physical bulk of ingested paper presents immediate mechanical dangers to the digestive system. A primary concern, particularly for children, is the risk of choking, as paper can be difficult to chew fully and may block the airway upon swallowing.
Once swallowed, large quantities of paper can absorb moisture and swell, increasing the risk of a gastrointestinal obstruction or impaction. This blockage can be a serious medical emergency, leading to severe abdominal pain, vomiting, and an inability to pass stool, often requiring surgical intervention.
The relatively rough texture of paper, especially when poorly chewed, may also cause minor irritation or abrasion to the delicate mucosal lining of the esophagus and intestines. Repeated or large-volume ingestion significantly elevates the potential for these serious physical complications.
The Risk of Contaminants, Inks, and Dyes
The greatest toxicity concern comes from the various chemicals added during the pulping, bleaching, and printing processes, not the wood fiber itself. Paper is often bleached to achieve its white color, a process that historically involved chlorine compounds that can leave behind trace amounts of potentially harmful derivatives.
The inks and toners used to print on paper contain a mix of pigments, resins, and solvents that are not meant for consumption. Traditional inks may contain heavy metals, and some petroleum-based inks release volatile organic compounds (VOCs). Laser printers use toners, which are fine plastic powders that may contain various polymers and coloring agents.
Toxicity levels vary dramatically. Glossy, colored, or thermal receipt paper (which can contain Bisphenol A, or BPA) generally pose a higher risk than plain, unbleached paper. While modern newspaper and food-grade paper often use safer soy or vegetable-based inks, the presence of any non-food additive introduces a chemical hazard.
When the Urge to Eat Paper Is a Medical Concern
A persistent, compulsive desire to eat non-food items, including paper, is a condition classified as Pica. Pica is recognized as a feeding and eating disorder and is not a normal dietary behavior beyond early childhood exploratory phases.
The urge to consume non-food substances is frequently linked to underlying nutritional deficiencies. Iron-deficiency anemia is one of the most commonly associated culprits, though deficiencies in other minerals like zinc have also been observed. Correcting the nutritional imbalance often leads to a resolution of the Pica behavior.
The condition may also be connected to certain mental health conditions or developmental disorders. If the urge to eat paper is sustained over a period of one month or longer, a medical professional should be consulted to check for deficiencies and evaluate the underlying cause.