May 15, 2023, 02:05 PM IST

Edible Gold:  Are gold-plated foods safe to eat?

DNA WEB DESK

Edible gold is quickly gaining prominence in the food industry. Several restaurants and cafes now offer foods plated with gold. But is it safe to consume?

From gold-plated momo, sushi wrapped in gold, gold vark sweets to gold burger, shiny food items now go viral frequently. Let us know more about using gold in food.

What is edible gold? It is a technique of using gold in food as thin sheets which are 8,000th of an mm thick. Generally, edible gold is made from 22 to 24 karat pure gold. 

Is gold safe to eat? Gold is inert and does not break down in our body or dissolve in our bloodstream. It is not easily digestible and is excreted out as body waste. Hence, edible gold is generally considered safe.

Does gold have health benefits? While mostly cosmetic, gold is said to have herbal properties. Gold dust is used in Ayurveda and is said to be a health and cognitive booster. However, modern experts don't think gold has any health benefits as it does not get digested. Thus it is more about cosmetics rather than health.