8 unexpected things you can eat

Obviously, when it comes to food, technology is doing wonders for improving the environment, which is associated with 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 they can be safely eaten.

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

8 PHOTOS

1. The bark of a tree.

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

2. Cactus.

At first glance, the cactus looks like a plant that you would like to avoid at all costs, and the idea of consuming it can be a little terrifying since it is 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 - it tastes like cucumber and is rich in antioxidants and flavonoids.

3. Eggshell.

Eggshells have recently been proven to be an excellent plant fertilizer, but more surprisingly, they can be used as a calcium supplement due to their high mineral content. There are, of course, some steps to be taken before consuming it.

4. Clay.

We all know about 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 the clay, it must be food grade.

5. Chalk.

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

6. Play-doh.

The reason non-toxic Play-Doo is so popular these days is that kids love to eat it and many companies have decided to make it as safe as possible for kids. Non-toxic Play-Doo is made from flour, food colors, water, salt, mineral oil, and boric acid. However, it is NOT recommended to consume Play-Do regularly and if it does, 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 the food industry in China, mainly due to their unique flavor and high nutritional value. They are made from the saliva of cave birds in Southeast Asia. Because they are very dangerous to harvest and difficult to prepare, they cost over $ 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 dirt can be very dangerous, especially due to 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.