Looking for complete information about activated charcoal and what does it do to your body? We have a complete guide on what is activated charcoal, its benefits, how to use it and how it works in your body.
Activated charcoal, also known as activated carbon, is used to absorb a variety of drugs and chemicals in the body by binding the drug or chemical to the activated charcoal.
Though the human body tends to work and detoxify itself consistently in a natural way, people these days have resorted to the popular method of detoxifying by taking activated charcoal in their diet.
Humans have been using activated charcoal for hundreds of years because of its ability to detoxify the body.
Just as we clean our body from the outside, our body, face, teeth, hair, it is equally important to detox the body from the inside as well.
It has a variety of proposed benefits, ranging from lowering cholesterol to whitening teeth and curing hangovers.
Image Credit: Elissa Goodman
This process helps to reduce toxins and wasteful remains and also built up a better immune system.
What is Activated Charcoal?
So let’s understand what is charcoal detox and what makes it activated? It is processed and exhibited to specific gasses at very high heats. It’s used as a detoxifying agent.
Activated charcoal is a special type of fine black powder made from materials such as charred coal, petroleum coke, and coconut shells, among others.
It is not the charcoal you use in barbecues; it is a different thing, more like a medication which is expensive and not so easily available but completely safe to take once you make sure you are not already on medication.
The activated charcoal has four times the absorption power and has an extraordinary strength to drag toxins from the body.
The coal’s primary absorption power is on the surface of it; there are tiny pores that trap the poison and helps in the cleaning process.
Created by burning all-natural, non-toxic woods, it works gently on the system if taken in the right amount and proper diet.
Activated Charcoal Benefits
In the early 19th century, medical journals began publishing research revealing activated charcoal as an antidote for poisons.
Current research estimates support these earlier practices of activated charcoal and also introduce additional benefits to using it.
Here are just a few ways that activated charcoal works wonders for your body;
- Detoxification
- Reduces Gas and Bloating
- Helps in Anti-Aging
- Used in Kidney Disease Treatment
- Supports Heart Health
- Cholesterol Management
How to Take Activated Charcoal
The activated charcoal is available in tablets or powder, you can use tablets or powder in the form of shakes or different types of drinks.
There are many food outlets nowadays that sell charcoal shakes and drinks in their beverage menu, or even you can make it yourself at home in whichever flavor you wish.
There are certain rules that should be followed before drinking the shakes, juices, or simple homemade charcoal drinks or indeed its pills and tablets.
One has to be an empty stomach before drinking or taking a charcoal capsule, only two-three hours later you can eat or drink something.
The main idea behind the charcoal detox is to purify the body from the inside and as it’s clear, once you drink it, it needs time to cleanse the body.
Activated charcoal is commonly taken by mouth to treat poisonings. It is also used for intestinal gas (flatulence), high cholesterol, hangovers, upset stomach, and bile flow problems (cholestasis) during pregnancy.
Eating or drinking right after the intake of activated charcoal can discontinue or delay the healthy healing process, which nobody wants to hamper the cleaning activity.
Right after you take the activated charcoal, rest for a while, let the magic powder or capsule do its job, and feel the process of purification within your body, mostly on your small and large intestine.
People suffering from reoccurring gastrointestinal problems must take a simple yet effective activated charcoal shake twice every week and surely they will notice the immediate change in the problem.
Mostly, you should make the drink freshly in the morning and drink it immediately without any lag.
Morning is the best time to make healthy drinks, as it helps unwanted bacteria to pass through your system quickly before they scatter and increase and helps you feel better faster.
Every time you drink this healthy detoxing drink it will provide you with a tranquilizing effect on your body and also decreases the risk of high blood pressure.
P.S – Drink plenty of water and stay hydrated – To avoid constipation, make sure you drink lots of water. If you find that you’re still getting constipated, try reducing your dose, but make sure to keep up your water intake.
The activated charcoal powder is more easily available and cheaper than the capsules or tablets.
Though both work the same way and efficiently people rather go for powdered charcoal and use it almost every day.
The activated charcoal is only used for detoxifying the body and not for any other purpose, though studies show it is also taken in emergencies where someone took poison or in the hospitals to give to the patients when required. Eating charcoal is always the best and most opted option for detoxing.
A healthy life doesn’t need to wait, especially when your primary goal is to kill the toxic agents that sap your health. There are certain times when a person thinks way too much about something and ends up doing nothing about it in real.
The cleaning method of activated charcoal might seem a little different to you but once you try, it will be worth it. The activated charcoals are prepared at home freshly by some people or also can be found at the different drug stores.
If you are trying charcoal detox for the first time, try the powdered activated charcoal, not the capsule, and drink it in the morning right after your jogging, yoga, exercise, or daily gym workout.
You will surely, would appreciate the end results that you will see in your body.
Is Activated Charcoal Safe?
Just like with any other medication or supplement, there is always the potential for side effects. Consuming activated charcoal can cause side effects that you should be aware of.
Here’s a list of some of the most common side effects that could happen from taking activated charcoal orally:
- Constipation
- Stomach pain
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Black stools
The Bottom Line
So we have seen that activated charcoal is a supplement with a variety of uses. Studies claim it potential to treat poising, lower cholesterol, reduce gas, and promote kidney function.
However, the studies supporting these benefits tend to be weak, and many of the other benefits linked to activated charcoal are not supported by science.
Keep this in mind when deciding whether to give activated charcoal a try.
