Cruise's fiancé Katie Holmes is due to give birth in the next few days. According to reports, Cruise plans to "eat the cord and the placenta right there".

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Eating of the placenta is a well-known practice in the animal kingdom, where it is probably done to hide the scent from predators. But less is known about its benefits in humans.

According to research conducted by Mahidol University in Thailand, human placenta is a good source of sodium, potassium and phosphorous. Placenta is also an excellent source of protein.

But researchers warn that while human placenta can be used as a possible source of nutrients in animal diets, humans should be wary of eating it as this may lead to disease transmission.

Other uses
Interestingly, human placenta is used in both beauty and health-care products. Amniotic membranes (the membrane that encloses the embryo) are used in biological dressings for the treatment of thermal burns and corneal ulcers, and umbilical cord blood is used for transfusion and transplantation purposes.

Many proponents of "placentophagia" (eating of the placenta) also believe that it can help stem postpartum depression in mothers and that it helps to contract the uterus after birth. – (Health24)
 

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