A general physician, Agnes Nwoke, has advised pregnant women against consuming ‘calabash chalk’ (nzu) to avoid lead poisoning.

Dr Nwoke told the News Agency of Nigeria in Awka that ‘nzu’ contained a high level of lead that could poison an unborn baby.

‘Calabash chalk’ is edible clay found mainly in Nigeria and other West African countries.

In Nigeria, most people call it ‘nzu’ in Igbo, ‘Ndom’ in Efik and Ibibio, and ‘eko’ in Bini and Edo language.

According to Dr Nwoke, the ‘calabash’ chalk is a natural product, locally prepared from clay, sand, salt, and other non-nutritional components.

She added that the craving for the ‘calabash’ chalk is not peculiar to pregnant women and teenagers; even men eat it.

Dr Nwoke said there was no scientific evidence that the ‘calabash’ chalk relieved nausea, vomiting or stopped morning sickness in pregnancy, as many believed.

The physician stated, “Eating ‘nzu’ is a practice that has become addictive to many. Some started it because of pregnancy craving, while for others, it can be due to iron deficiency anaemia and malnutrition.

“‘Calabash’ chalk is unhealthy. It contains excess lead compounds capable of harming the body.”

She added, “It contains excess lead that causes low potassium and iron, muscle weakness, nerve damage, inflamed stomach, poisoning, and low blood level.

“I have seen many people being treated for lead toxicity, inflammation of the stomach (gastritis), very low red blood cells (severe anaemia), ulcers, and nerve damages due to chronic consumption of ‘nzu.'”

(NAN)