A new research has stated that women will not derive any benefit by eating their own placenta after giving birth.

The study researchers have based their findings on a review of 10 earlier published studies. After reviewing the data, the researchers reached at a conclusion: “No human or animal data to support the common claims that eating the placenta -- either raw, cooked or encapsulated -- offers protection against postpartum depression, reduces post-delivery pain, boosts energy, helps with lactation, promotes skin elasticity, enhances maternal bonding”.

The researchers also pointed out that there is also no evidence that having it has any negative effect on health. Study’s co-author Crystal Clark at Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine said there are reports that women have witnessed benefits. But there is no research to investigate the advantages or the risk of having placenta.

Trend of eating placenta has popularized in last few years. Study’s lead researcher Cynthia Coyle, a clinical psychologist at Northwestern University, explained that placenta is an organ developing in the uterus during pregnancy. It provides nutrients to the foetus and removes waste products from the infant’s blood. Majority of mammals, including cats, eat their placenta after birth.

As per the Northwestern study, the first documented cases of women following this practice were in North America dating back to the 1970s. Since then, the practice has quite popularized.

The researchers think that people are not taking decision on the basis of science or after having discussion with physicians. Women are making decision based on media reports.