Activated Charcoal Turning a Boon for Keeping Good Health

For a long time, nobody knew about this activated charcoal, but now it has become a lifestyle trend in recent months, with renowned chefs using it in their food recipes to turn it black and celebrities supporting it as a substitute for its apparent health benefits. This seems quite amusing, but it offers a ton of incredible health benefits.

Activated Charcoal Benefit:

 It is also quite amazing to know that this simple powder is used in emergency rooms around the world to treat patients who have been poisoned or experienced a drug or alcohol overdose. With this, we could say that it is an amazing powder that helps in detoxifying and is also safe to eat. 

Some salespeople of these products claim that activated charcoal can boost our energy, brighten our skin, and reduce wind and bloating. The main claim, though, is that activated charcoal products can detoxify our bodies. 

Activated Charcoal 

One must be eager to know about the activated charcoal. What is it? And from where is it processed? Activated charcoal is a fine black powder. It’s tasteless, odourless, and (unlike barbecue charcoal) completely non-toxic; it is highly porous and contains millions of tiny pores, which can trap toxins. 

Processing of Charcoal 

Activated charcoal is prepared by burning wood, debris, or even coconut shells. On burning, the heat removes all the oxygen and “activates” the charcoal with gases like steam. This heating process helps in creating millions of tiny pores, nooks, and fissures in the final product. These pores help the charcoal to trap dangerous toxins and chemicals. The 

The Best Way to Use 

People have to set their own method of its consumption after knowing all the possible ways. Many people have tried with juices containing active charcoal. But some say if taken with the juice, it pulls out all the nutrients of the juice, which in fact are required by our body. 

For these people, it becomes dicey to take charcoal with juices. Many say it’s safe to give it a try and see for oneself, as long as one is not on medications. But take it in moderation and drink lots of water along with it. It is advised to drink activated carbon in juice, non-acidic (no citrus) juices. 

It's best to take it between meals and a few hours after using any vitamin or mineral supplements. Empty 1 to 2 capsules into one’s favourite green or other health-boosting juice. Some companies are offering up juices containing activated charcoal; these could be expensive, but people can do anything at the cost of their health. 

It's important for one to know that charcoal can interfere with the body's absorption process, so it shouldn't be consumed every day or less than 90 minutes before or after nutrient-dense meals, prescription medications, or vitamins.

Benefits of Activated Charcoal on our Body Systems for Maintaining Good Health

Activated Charcoal Benefit 1: Body Organ System Detoxification

For detoxification purposes, like poisons, drugs, and alcohol overdoses, a simple and very easily available product has been found very effective in eliminating the effects of toxic substances, and that is activated charcoal. 

It's millions of tiny pores that absorb the toxins (like bleach, fertiliser, pesticides, lead, etc.) and keep our body clean; later, along with hydration, this activated charcoal gets flushed out of our body. Since charcoal is so helpful, some people consume it to kick out built-up toxins in their bodies. 

It may take time for cleansing but it often lasts a week or two. It should be remembered that if one is using charcoal several times weekly as a part of cleaning, one must increase the water consumption; otherwise, one may get constipated.

Activated Charcoal Benefit 2: Water Filtration

Since activated charcoal entraps impurities and harmful substances, it’s a great water filtration material for consuming clean drinking water. This is the reason travelers carry charcoal filters on longer trips with limited access to water. 

Research from Cornell University found that using an activated charcoal filter effectively removes organic chemicals, chlorine, lead, and even unpleasant tastes and odors. Charcoal is also very popular for home-based water filtration systems, both in kitchen countertops and in “whole-home” water systems. 

Something important to know is that charcoal filters don’t trap bacteria, viruses, or hard-water minerals. For this, one has to disinfect with chlorine, and filtering is the best way for the purest drinking water.

Activated Charcoal Benefit 3: Prevents Hangovers and Alcohol Poisoning

Activated charcoal doesn’t remove alcohol itself; it quickly removes other toxins found in mixers and artificial sweeteners. It works well with a night out drinking. One would feel much better when getting them out of their system. 

One of the studies, published in the journal Human Toxicology, found that consuming activated charcoal while one is drinking can reduce blood alcohol concentration significantly.

Activated Charcoal Benefits 4: Sound Mental Health

It is already known that activated charcoal traps toxins and keeps them from entering our digestive system; this would help one feel energetic and healthy.

But for one, it is very important to know that in spite of knowing the fact, one doesn’t keep these toxins out and finally experiences negative mental effects in addition to physical ones because our brain and digestive system are closely connected. 

If one is dealing with negative brain junk or chronic fatigue, one could give activated charcoal a try as a supplement!

Activated Charcoal Benefit 5: Reduces Gas and Bloating

Activated charcoal can help to ease common digestive problems like bloating and gas. The charcoal entraps the food by-products responsible for all the discomfort. 

One of the studies published in the American Journal of Gastroenterology found that activated charcoal had reduced intestinal gas, bloating, and abdominal cramps after a meal. 

To be more effective, take activated charcoal about an hour before eating a meal, which usually kicks away the problems.

Activated Charcoal Benefit 6: Teeth Whitening

This sounds crazy, but it truly works. People all over the world have used activated charcoal powder for centuries to clean their teeth. It comes down to activated charcoal’s porous structure.

According to its characteristics, with millions of pores, corners, and fissures, it makes it the ideal substance to attract tannins, the compounds found in coffee, tea, wine, and other things that cause unattractive stains on our teeth. It works with the process of “adsorption”; the tannins end up trapped in the charcoal. Rinse the charcoal off, and one is left with whiter teeth!

Activated Charcoal Benefit 7: Skincare and Anti-Aging

Activated charcoal can even help one to erase signs of ageing and rejuvenate the skin. One can find it in numerous beauty and skincare products. Its structure makes it perfect for elimination. 

When one rubs it into the skin, all the dirt, grime, and toxins that accumulate in the top layer of the skin get trapped in the charcoal. Washing leaves one with clean skin and unclogged pores, making it easier for other products (like toners and moisturizers) to provide good nutrients deep into the skin. 

Making activated charcoal a regular part of the skincare routine will help one to look young and beautiful.

“Yes, charcoal gives the amazing health benefits, but one has to standardize their own ways.”

Disclaimer:

Updates mentioned in the article are for general information purposes only. If making any changes in the diet, then it is requested to consult your doctor or a dietician before implementing anything new.