If you eat paper towels, you will likely experience no ill effects. Paper towel is made from cellulose, which is a type of carbohydrate that the human digestive system cannot break down. However, eating large amounts of paper towel can cause gastrointestinal blockage, and swallowing small pieces of paper towel can pose a choking hazard.
If you or someone you know has eaten paper towels, contact a medical professional immediately.
If you’re like most people, you probably use paper towels multiple times a day. They’re great for cleaning up messes, drying your hands and much more. But what happens if you accidentally ingest one?
It’s unlikely that eating a paper towel will do any serious damage to your health. However, it can cause some uncomfortable side effects such as nausea, vomiting and diarrhea. If you’ve eaten a paper towel, drink plenty of fluids and try to eat bland foods until your symptoms subside.
What are the Health Risks Associated With Eating Paper Towels
There are a few health risks associated with eating paper towels. First, paper towels are made of cellulose, which is a type of indigestible fiber. When ingested, cellulose can cause abdominal bloating, gas and diarrhea.
Additionally, if the paper towel you eat is covered in chemicals or bacteria from whatever it was cleaning up, those could potentially make you sick as well. Finally, swallowing large pieces of paper towel can pose a choking hazard. So overall, while eating the occassional piece of paper towel probably won’t kill you, it’s not the best idea from a health perspective.
Credit: cookathomemom.com
Conclusion
If you eat paper towels, you’ll probably be just fine. Paper towels are made from wood pulp, which is safe to consume. However, eating paper towels can cause indigestion and constipation.
So if you do eat them, make sure to drink plenty of water and eat fiber-rich foods as well.