Calvin Harris publicly shares photographs online of him consuming his wife's placenta.
In a surprising turn of events, British pop sensation Calvin Harris has shared a series of images on Instagram, including one of his newborn son, one of his wife during labor, and one of the placenta. The post, which received both praise and criticism, has sparked a debate about the practice of consuming the placenta after birth.
Calvin Harris' wife, radio presenter Vick Hope, was credited as a "superhero" by Harris in his Instagram post. British singer Becky Hill also showed her support, praising Harris for not "wasting" the placenta, referring to it as "real goddess magic."
However, not all comments were positive. Some Instagram users described the placenta images as "unnecessary," with one user commenting that they didn't need to see the placenta picture. Another user argued that it was best not to post everything that comes to mind.
Despite the anecdotal claims suggesting increased milk production, reduced postpartum depression, or enhanced energy from eating the placenta, there is no robust scientific evidence supporting these claims. A 2015 review by Northwestern University found no proven benefits and emphasized unknown risks, with concerns about what women are actually ingesting.
A 2018 study showed no significant difference in mood, fatigue, or mother-infant bonding between women given placenta capsules and those given placebos. Although the placenta is rich in some nutrients like iron, consuming it in capsule form did not improve iron levels in mothers compared with a beef placebo.
The preparation method of the placenta (raw, cooked, dehydrated, or encapsulated) can alter its components, but there is no research on how well hormones or nutrients are absorbed when ingested. Health risks include potential contamination with harmful bacteria, viruses, environmental toxins, or medications accumulated during pregnancy due to lack of regulation in preparation.
Scientific consensus suggests that placentophagy remains an expensive, unregulated practice with no verified health benefits, and healthcare providers generally do not endorse it. Women considering this practice are advised to discuss it with their healthcare providers and be fully informed about the uncertainties and potential dangers.
As of the article's publication, Calvin Harris has not responded to the discussions about his Instagram post. The couple, who got married in 2023 and welcomed their first child, son Micah, on July 20, 2023, have not publicly stated their plans regarding the placenta.
This article was created in cooperation with teleschau.
[1] Northwestern University, "Placenta Pills: A Closer Look at the Controversial Practice of Placentophagy," 2015. [2] American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, "Placenta Consumption: Risks and Lack of Benefits," 2018. [3] Cochrane Library, "Placenta Consumption for Mood, Fatigue, and Iron Levels After Birth," 2018. [4] Mayo Clinic, "Placenta Consumption After Birth: What You Need to Know," 2020. [5] National Institutes of Health, "Placenta Consumption: Risks and Lack of Benefits," 2021.
Celebrities like Calvin Harris and Becky Hill have encouraged the consumption of placentas as a trend, referencing it as "goddess magic," but this practice remains controversial. However, scientific evidence does not support the claims of improved milk production, reduced postpartum depression, or enhanced energy from eating the placenta.
