Despite being a frequently used cooking ingredient, cornstarch can, according to MedlinePlus, induce intestinal blockages or cause stomach pain in some individuals. While it’s doubtful that consuming cornstarch for cooking will result in long-term or significant issues, consuming laundry starch can be extremely deadly.
Eating cornstarch in this form often poses no health risks because cooking starch is typically used as a thickening in sauces and gravies. Some individuals with the disease known as pica crave the taste of starch or other powdered foods. These people might consume enough starch to cause digestive tract damage.
According to MedlinePlus, eating a lot of cornstarch can make you feel uncomfortable or even obstruct your intestines. It is advised that a person get medical attention right away if they are experiencing severe symptoms such as discomfort, vomiting, or being unable to drink anything.
According to About.com, because cornstarch includes traces of maize protein, it may cause allergic responses, including anaphylaxis, in persons who are sensitive to corn. Paper or plastic food packaging may be coated with cornstarch; people with severe corn allergies need to be aware of all potential sources.
Another type of cornstarch used to stiffen garments is laundry starch. According to MedlinePlus, consuming laundry starch can be extremely harmful and should be handled as a poisoning incident. Jaundice, vomiting, convulsions, blisters, fever, and coma are a few of the negative effects of consuming laundry starch.
