Ancient civilizations have found countless uses for silver. The ancient Greeks and later the Romans used silver as a currency to barter and trade. They also believed that silver possesses antibacterial properties. And therefore, silver utensils were used as protection against the bubonic plague. But can silver detect poison?

Ancient cultures believed that silver could detect poisons. However, silver can only detect poison, like arsenic which has high levels of sulfur. Silver cannot be used to detect poisons in food, but silver utensils have several health benefits. Silver has also proven beneficial in the medical industry.

Suppose you wonder whether silver can detect poison in mushrooms or if the Chinese practice of using silver chopsticks detects poison, then read on. The following article holds the answers you are looking for regarding silver’s ability to detect poisons.

How Can Silver Detect Poison?

Silver, periodic symbol Ag, and atomic number 47 is a stable element, good conductor of heat, and does not tarnish or corrode easily. Historians trace the legends of silver being able to detect poison as far back as the 14th or 15th centuries. However, silver can detect only arsenic, a common poison during that time.

A simple chemical reaction is the color change that occurs when silver comes in contact with arsenic. The oxygen in the air reacts with sulfur from arsenic to produce sulfuric oxide (SO₂); when the sulfide comes into contact with silver, the metal’s surface changes to black.

Ancient civilizations believed this indicated the presence of poison, and so began the legends of silver detecting poison.

Can Silver Detect Poison In Food?

Silver can detect only the presence of arsenic. Students conducted experiments to prove whether silver can detect poison in food. They used raw eggs, which are high in sulfuric acid. When students inserted a silver needle into the egg, the needle’s surface changed to black.

Ancient cultures believed that a silver coin could detect poisonous mushrooms. But this conviction has been disproven since mushrooms do not contain any trace of sulfur. And therefore, any silver cutlery used when preparing mushrooms will not tarnish or change color.

When you place caviar onto silver utensils, they will discolor because caviar also contains high amounts of sulfur and not because the food is poisoned.

Silver is known for its antibacterial properties. Therefore, many wealthy noble families used silver utensils during the bubonic plague as safety precautions.

Family members gift newborn children a silver spoon and cup because of silver’s antibacterial and other health properties. The expression “born with a silver spoon,” originated from here.

Can Silver Utensils Detect Poison?

The Kings and noble families began using silver utensils because they believed the silver changes color if the food was poisoned. And silver utensils protected them against plagues and sicknesses. Over time, the value of silver utensils increased, and their use was restricted to the wealthy and Royalty.

Interestingly, although most people of Asian origin use wooden chopsticks, those of Korean descent prefer metal chopsticks. Some experts believe this trend links to Korean Royalty. The Korean Royalty was also afraid of being poisoned by their enemies and began using silver chopsticks to detect the poison in their food.

It may not detect poison but silver utensils have several health benefits. Some benefits which you may find helpful are listed below.

Silver Utensils Have Antibacterial Properties

Several experts believe silver utensils have antibacterial properties. The silver wear may keep harmful bacteria in the air away from food. Silver coins dropped into barrels of milk prevent the milk from spoiling.

Silver Utensils Boost Your Immunity

Since silver has antibacterial properties, food served on silver utensils has less chance of becoming poisonous if left out. Therefore your immune system is not compromised when you consume food served on silver utensils.

Silver Utensils Are Non-Toxic

Silver is one of the most non-toxic metals around. Even when it is heated, it does not release any harmful toxins. That’s why silver utensils are safe for daily use. Other materials like plastic or copper contaminate food, but silver does not release any contaminants into the food.

Silver Utensils Protects Against Microorganisms

Silver utensils destroy harmful microorganisms in the food, thus preventing the food from spoiling or rotting. When food is exposed for extended periods, bacteria settle on it, and this causes the food to spoil quickly. When you use silver utensils, the risk of food spoiling reduces.

Silver Utensils Reduce Free Radicals

Free radicals are the cause of most diseases and illnesses. However, when you utilize silver utensils, free radicals are removed. The silver utensil can also repair and rejuvenate damaged cells.

Silver Utensils Keep Food Fresher For Longer

Food, water, or other beverages preserve for longer by the use of silver utensils. Ancient civilizations would use silver barrels to store water and wine, especially when traveling by ship. They found the water stayed fresher for the duration of their trip.

When they did not have silver barrels, sailors would drop a silver coin into water or wine barrels. Farmers have also used this technique today to keep milk fresh.

Silver Utensils Improve The Digestive System

Silver has a cooling effect on the body. Consuming food with silver utensils improves the body’s metabolism and aids digestion. Many Ayurveda practitioners suggest their patients use silver utensils because of their cooling effects.

Silver Improves The Durability Of Utensils

Silver utensils can be an investment that you can pass down through generations. Silver utensils are very durable. They cannot be dented, chipped, or broken easily. And most silver utensils are dishwasher safe.

Plastic utensils contain the chemical compound BPA, which makes the item durable. However, BPA becomes toxic when heated and cooled. This toxic substance does attach itself to food and is known to cause cancers, hormonal imbalances, and infertility. Therefore, it is best to invest in a good set of silver utensils to avoid these.

Can Silver Be Used In Medicine To Detect Poison?

Scientists and medical experts have proven countless times the beneficial properties of silver in the medical field. During the First World War, wounds wrapped in silver foil healed faster than those wrapped in ordinary bandages. The doctors and surgeons also used silver to stitch sutures.

The fact that silver has antibacterial properties, as mentioned above. Recently, medical experts have identified a bacterial strain commonly found in health facilities resistant to chemical antibiotics. They have used silver in most of their equipment, like stethoscopes, surgical tools, needles, door handles, furniture, and bed linens.

Modern medicine uses silver colloidal solutions in some disinfectants. Some scientists have proven this solution destroys 99.9% of bacteria and viruses.

Scientists have also developed a new type of silver-based bandage. The FDA has only recently approved the bandage and granted a license for commercial sale.

In Ayurveda medicine, when a person places a silver coin or piece of silver into a silver, brass, or copper cup, it charges the water with positive silver ions. The charged silver water is known to heal many illnesses and diseases.

The Swiss have developed water filtration and cooling systems that use silver from this principle.

Ayurveda medicine works on the principle of balancing the heat in the body. Since silver has cooling properties, it acts as a heat regulator and improves blood circulation. When a person wears silver jewelry, it also improves their mood and energy levels.

It must be noted that only pure silver will assist with health and medical issues. The positive effects of silver alloy or other metal blends will not be so significant if you use silver alloy or other metal blends.

Silver in the medical field has come a long way since it was first used to detect poisons in food and beverages.

Conclusion

Silver detects only arsenic and no other poisons. When it comes in contact with the surface of any silver item, the sulfur in arsenic starts a chemical reaction. The reaction between the sulfide and oxygen causes the silver to discolor. Doctors and scientists have also found several health and medical benefits from silver.

References

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