Before you judge the paper-eaters too harshly, know that humans have been doing this for centuries. In Japan, wa-shi paper is sometimes used in edible confections, and some traditional sweets come wrapped in very thin, high-grade paper meant to be consumed. In Mexico, the hoja santa herb—which looks like paper—is literally cooked and eaten.
There’s also a condition called pica, where people crave non-food items like clay, ice, or paper. It’s often linked to iron deficiency. So if you suddenly find yourself craving a sheet of A4, please see a doctor—not a stationery supplier. That craving is a signal, not a snack suggestion.
And let’s not forget the tongue-in-cheek “paper diet” trend from the 1980s, where some fad dieters claimed eating low-calorie paper would fill your stomach. Spoiler: it just fills your stomach with empty, indigestible bulk. Not a winning strategy for health.
