What are the benefits of edible gold?

There are no real health benefits of consuming edible gold. The material does not have any texture or taste on its own. When added to an existing meal, edible gold is simply an extra decorative element, and it commonly comes in gold leaf sheets or sprinkles.

Edible gold, when used as a garnish, adds a brilliant glistening visual effect, but it also increases the price of the dish by a significant margin. According to Maclean's, a sheet of edible gold cost up to $50 as of 2012, though final pricing largely depends on the karats in the gold being used.