Women’s knowledge of placentophagy: scoping review

Abstract Objectives: mapping the evidence on women’s knowledge of placentophagy. Methods: this scoping review was conducted following the methodological guide of the Joanna Briggs Institute. Qualitative, quantitative and clinical studies published in English, Spanish or Portuguese were included, with no time restrictions. The search was conducted in the EMBASE, PUBMED/MEDLINE and Scopus databases on June 28, 2024, using a comprehensive search strategy with controlled and non-controlled descriptors. Results: seven studies were included in the review, which evaluated everything from the practice of placentophagy to popular opinion on the subject. Among the main findings of this study, it stands out that the motivations for placentophagy among modern women are the belief in its health benefits. However, there is no scientific evidence assuring the impacts on people’s health. Conclusion: the review revealed that the scientific evidence on the benefits of placentophagy is limited and controversial, and that there is an urgent need for more well- controlled research to assess the real effects of this practice on maternal health.