8 Unexpected Things You Can Eat

Obviously, when it comes to food, technology is doing wonders for improving the environment, which is due to the invention of edible water bottles and edible coffee cups. However, there are some ancient edible bits of nature that most of us don't eat but can be safely eaten.

We took a deep dive into the web to learn about some of the amazing things that have been eaten since time immemorial.

8 PHOTOS

1. Tree bark.

The bark of the tree has been consumed by almost everyone since the beginning, and the most consumed bark is cinnamon. However, you can grind up the inner bark of many trees and make flour out of it - you can even make your own pasta and pastries instead of regular flour.

2. Cactus.

At first glance, the cactus looks like a plant you'd like to avoid at all costs, and the idea of eating it can be a bit terrifying because it's so prickly. However, there are several varieties that are edible and can be used in many dishes after careful preparation. One example is the nopales cactus, which tastes like cucumber and is rich in antioxidants and flavonoids.

3. Eggshell.

Eggshell has recently been proven to be an excellent herbal fertilizer, but more surprising is that it can be consumed as a calcium supplement due to its high mineral content. There are, of course, some steps to take before consuming it.

4. Clay.

We are all aware of the cosmetic benefits of clay as it is a huge part of the beauty industry in general. However, in some parts of the world, people regularly eat clay as part of their diet, especially in the Middle East and Africa. It is useful for those people who are deficient in zinc. In addition to this, it supports healthy digestion by removing toxins from the intestines. Keep in mind that in order to consume clay, it must be food grade.

5. Chalk.

Chalk is a natural and non-toxic substance; since it is pure calcium carbonate. Even though it does not provide health benefits to the person consuming chalk, it is safe to eat. Most people who crave and eat it very often suffer from a condition that causes people to crave non-food items, and this happens during pregnancy or with iron deficiency.

6. Play-doh.

The reason non-toxic play-doo is so popular these days is that kids love eating it, and many companies have chosen to make it as safe as possible for kids. Non-toxic play-doo is made from flour, food coloring, water, salt, mineral oil, and boric acid. However, it is NOT recommended to regularly consume Play-Doo, and if this occurs, always call a poison control center to find out if it is safe or not.

7. Bird nests.

Edible bird nests are a huge part of China's food industry, mainly due to their unique taste and high nutritional value. They are made from the saliva of cave-dwelling birds in Southeast Asia. Because they are very dangerous to collect and difficult to prepare, they cost upwards of $8,000 per kg.

8. Dirt.

Dirt as food is very common, especially among children, but interestingly, it is also common among adults. There is an interesting practice called geophagy, which literally translates to "eating the earth" and its soil-like substances such as chalk. However, eating mud can be very dangerous, especially because of the chemicals and parasites it contains. However, in some cases, if the soil is 100% organic and not treated with any chemicals, it is safe for human consumption.