Ingesting Gold: Should You Do It?

Rich people do a lot of outrageous things with their money. Some buy grand mansions, exotic cars, high-flying jets, and lavish yachts worth more than most people earn in their lifetimes.

Others go the extra step to buy their own private getaway islands. For the extremely wealthy, nothing is too extravagant. Their luxurious tastes can bleed over into every aspect of their lives.

Eating well has always been a sign of wealth, but some individuals take the idea of “expensive taste” to a whole new level. One of the biggest trends in fine dining is the addition of edible gold to a variety of cuisines.

That’s right. Wearing gold is not enough for some people, so they have to eat it as well. While this practice truly separates the high-rollers from the peasants, is it really safe to eat gold?

Is Gold Edible?

Believe it or not, gold is edible in certain forms. According to blurtit.com, people have actually been eating gold for many centuries now.

From ancient Egypt to the Middle Ages, gold has been added to a wide variety of foods. More surprisingly, it continues to be an ingredient in many modern dishes as well.

Everything from burgers and cake to cocktails and chocolate can have gold in it.

The form of gold that is most commonly used today is known as gold leaf. Gold leaf is an extremely thin layer of gold paper that is most commonly used as an edible decoration. Gold powder and gold flakes may also have been eaten in the past.

According to Manhattan Gold & Silver, there are many well-known dishes by celebrity chefs that contain gold. Chef Hubert’s $5,000 Kobe Burger has truffles and gold leaf piled atop the meaty mountain.

The $1,000 Luxury Bagel by Chef Tujague is a halved whole-grain bagel topped with truffle spread, Riesling grape and goji berry jelly, and gold leaf.

The Golden Opulence Sundae is an insane concoction of Tahitian vanilla bean ice cream, Amedei Porcelana chocolate, candied fruits, Marzipan cherries, truffles, Grand Passion caviar, gold flakes, and gold dragets valued at $1,000.

Why Do People Bother To Eat Gold?

There are many reasons why a person might decide to eat gold. Some do it to show off their wealth.

Eating gold is the ultimate symbol of status and power. Others eat gold because they believe that it has certain health properties.

For those who suffer from arthritis, gold tablets or injections containing gold may be offered as a method of treatment.

Today, edible gold is usually used to accent desserts and drinks, and people who try them are just looking to be adventurous and try something new.

Are There Any Health Concerns With Gold Consumption?

While it doesn’t have much of a taste or really any nutrition at all, ingesting small amounts of gold should not pose any apparent health risks.

Pure gold is considered the safest to eat. In most cases, any ingested gold will pass right through the digestive system without being absorbed by the stomach lining.

Gold alloys may be hazardous if consumed because they contain other metals such as copper, silver, or nickel. In tiny portions, edible gold should not pose any threat to humans.

However, eating larger amounts can cause heavy metal poisoning. It is not recommended for anybody to consume gold on a regular basis.

The Bottom Line

While gold may not prove immediately harmful when eaten in very small amounts, there are much better uses for the precious metal.

It’s reasonable to try edible gold out of curiosity, but most people probably wouldn’t eat it often considering it’s expensive and almost tasteless.