[xxhopingtearsxx]

I know this sounds like a silly question, and I don't recommend doing this because I won't either.. But, if someone eats a penny or some sort of small object that will just pass through your body without harming anything, will the person get any nutrients from it? Maybe there was a little food on the penny, or maybe the penny has something the body can absorb?

I'm asking this because it's a question that has been in my head for a long time and I'm looking for the answer.


I asked this on Go Ask Alice, too, but I'm hoping I'll get a quicker response here.

[N0help4u]

Years ago they said it was good to swallow one penny in a life time for the copper.
Now pennies are zinc with very little copper.
NO don't swallow a penny it really is of absolutely NO benefit.
You get more zinc and copper drinking a cup of Hershey's cocoa (but not the instant)
And a lot safer than a penny.

[xxhopingtearsxx]

What if I ate like cat food? (Im not saying I'm eating a penny or cat food.. xD don't worry) would there be any nutrients for my body to... absorb?

[ISneezeFunny]

It really depends on what type of cat food...

The food that my dog eats (some sort of processed corn, barley, rice, and chicken) is probably better than the burgers I eat...

If you were starving, I'm sure it's to some benefit, but I'm also pretty positive that there are substances in the food that will cause upset stomach.

[Wondergirl]

I used to swallow my church collection penny during the early part of the church service. I'm still alive to tell about it. I'm surprised I never ended up with the heebie-jeebies.

Some of the Fancy Feast cat food (minced beef, mmmmmmm) I give my cats really smells good. Try some on Triscuit crackers and let me know how it tastes.

[ISneezeFunny]

... you stole from the church collection plate? Shame on you wg... shame.

As an "initiation prank" at the lab I used to work at, we had to eat rat food.. . tasted like... hay and dirt.

[Wondergirl]

...you stole from the church collection plate?

It never got that far. And I was two, maybe three. God forgave me.

Sneezy, do you know what heebie-jeebies are? Was that on the MCAT?

[N0help4u]

Heebie jeebies are like what you get when you are in grade school and the little boy that you can't stand the thought of walks up and gives you a big kiss.

[ISneezeFunny]

I believe I was going through the heebie jeebies while taking the mcat. Thank god I had some oople-dee-doos prescribed to me before the test.

[gctts]

I do not know about the nutritional aspect, but you could certainly get salmonella and E-Coli from just handling any currency and then putting your hand in your mouth or touching your mouth. I try to remember to wash my hands after handling much of it.

[twinkiedooter]

Coins have a habit of getting stuck in a person's body, especially the throat area. If you want to choke to death, by all means, have a few coins for dinner and call me in the morning. As far as any nutrients, no, no, no. Cat food, no nutrients for a human although I've heard of old people buying canned cat food and eating that. Tuna fish canned is much more tasty and healthy any day.

[Wondergirl]

Collie-wobbles can result from swallowing coins.

[IM4U]

xxhopingtearsxx,

Please believe me. I am not making fun of you, but it's so hard to resist. I'm one of those clowns who might find it very hard to make a living at it.

Yes, you might get some nutrients via IV in the hospital during surgical removal of the penny!

I'm guessing you were more serious than this in your question, and it may be hard for you to appreciate this answer.

So please let me post it for the others.

Thanks.

IM4U (really)