Gibraltar's monkeys eat mud to avoid upset stomachs from tourist junk food'

"Researchers observed Barbary macaques in Gibraltar intentionally eating soil, a behavior known as geophagy, likely to settle their stomachs after consuming junk food from tourists."

"Dr. Sylvain Lemoine noted that the monkeys may consume soil to rebalance their gut microbiomes, which can be disturbed by the fatty, salty, and sugary snacks they eat."

"The study found that nearly a fifth of the food consumed by the macaques was junk food from tourists, with those near tourist areas eating the most soil."

Barbary macaques in Gibraltar have been observed engaging in geophagy, or soil eating, likely to alleviate digestive problems from junk food provided by tourists. The monkeys with more tourist contact consumed more soil, especially during peak holiday seasons. Researchers suggest that the soil may help rebalance their gut microbiomes disrupted by unhealthy snacks. Observations indicate that nearly 20% of the macaques' diet consists of junk food, with those living near tourist hotspots eating the most soil.

Read at www.theguardian.com