There’s no evidence for the “health benefits” of placenta eating. A number of celebrities have been making a big deal recently over eating their placenta after birth claiming that it has a wide variety of health benefits. But a new survey of studies out this week has found no evidence for any of those claims. “The review looked at 10 published studies related to placenta eating, but it could not find any data to support the claims that eating the placenta raw, cooked or in pill form carried any health benefits. Placentophagy, as the act of eating placentas is known, has been said to reduce pain after delivery, increase energy levels, help with breastmilk production and enhance bonding between mother and child. Some are also convinced that it replenishes iron stores in the body, but the research team said this was based on subjective reports rather than scientific research.” Importantly, the team pointed out that no studies have been done on the risks of eating the placenta. “The organ acts as a filter to absorb and protect the developing fetus from toxins and pollutants. As a result, bacteria, viruses and heavy metals could remain within the placenta tissues after birth. Since the dosing is inconsistent and there are no regulations as to how the placenta is stored and prepared, women really don’t know what they are ingesting.”