In April 2019 researchers from Canada published the results of their study to assess whether women with mood disorders practising placentophagy, ie consumption of the placenta, would have fewer depressive symptoms, more energy, higher vitamin B12 levels, and better milk production during the postpartum period than women who did not consume their placenta. A total of 28 women who planned to consume their placenta were matched by psychiatric diagnosis, medication use, supplementation, income, and age with 110 women who had no plans to eat their placenta. Results showed that there were no differences in mood, energy, milk production, or vitamin B12 levels between the two groups.
Morris E et al. A Matched Cohort Study of Postpartum Placentophagy in Women With a History of Mood Disorders: No Evidence for Impact on Mood, Energy, Vitamin B12 Levels, or Lactation. J Obstet Gynaecol Can. 2019 Apr 24. [Epub ahead of print]