What is Activated Charcoal?
What is Activated Charcoal?
Activated charcoal acts like a magnet for toxins in your body. This purifying substance has been used for over 150 years to absorb unwanted substances in the body. In fact, its absorbent properties and potential uses were first mentioned in the 1700s.
The initial scientific studies and applications emerged in the 1800s. Throughout the following century, the potential of activated charcoal was further explored, and by the 1960s, it became more commonly used. Eventually, activated charcoal became a cornerstone for absorbing toxins in the body.1
Naturally, due to its proven detoxifying properties, activated charcoal has attracted the interest of wellness advocates worldwide. Today, many people seek the best ways to cleanse and detox, incorporating activated charcoal into various cleansing drinks, juice blends, and supplements.
If you're considering adding activated charcoal to your detox routine, here are a few things you might want to know:
How is Charcoal Activated?
When you think of activated charcoal, the charcoal from your backyard grill might come to mind; however, you definitely should not blend up a charcoal briquette and consume it. Unlike charcoal bricks used for cooking, activated charcoal is made from non-toxic products and undergoes a more stringent production process. Moreover, regular charcoal briquettes often contain chemicals added to enhance burning.
In essence, activated charcoal is produced by taking non-toxic materials like coconut shells, olive pits, bamboo, or other plant fibers and oxidizing them at high temperatures in the presence of gas.
The resulting carbon is more porous than standard charcoal.2 This process effectively “activates” the charcoal, creating a highly absorbent substance safe for consumption.
While there are variations in this process, with some charcoal activated using steam or other methods, the underlying principle remains the same.1 This edible charcoal effectively soaks up toxins, making it highly useful in wellness applications and detox routines.
How Does Activated Charcoal Work?
Activated charcoal works by attracting and trapping toxins. Toxins are drawn to activated charcoal due to its porous texture, which has a negative charge, allowing it to attract positively charged molecules.3
These include gas and substances that produce gas. Think of activated charcoal as a magnet: it attracts substances and removes them from the body. Since your body does not absorb the charcoal, the toxins are eliminated alongside it.
What is the Best Activated Charcoal?
When choosing a wellness supplement, it’s crucial to know what you're ingesting. Always read the label and look for activated charcoal powder or activated charcoal supplements made from identifiable ingredients like coconut shells or plant fibers.
Activated Coconut Charcoal
Activated coconut charcoal, sometimes referred to as coconut shell charcoal, is produced by carbonizing coconut husks. Although it is made from coconuts, the flavor of coconut charcoal does not resemble coconut, as the flavor originates from the flesh, not the husks.
Activated charcoal from coconut shells may offer unique absorption properties since it is highly absorbent.4Activated Coconut Charcoal is often available as a powder for mixing with water.
Activated Charcoal Pills
Activated charcoal tablets provide a convenient method for intake. If you prefer simplicity or dislike the taste or texture of drinking activated charcoal powder, taking activated charcoal capsules with water is an excellent way to reap the benefits in a convenient form.
Our Favorite Activated Charcoal
BubbForest Premium Activated Charcoal
Receive 520 mg of stomach-friendly charcoal per serving with BubbForest Premium Activated Charcoal. These capsules are specially activated to ease occasional, mild gas and bloating, helping absorb gas-generating compounds.
Solaray Activated Coconut Charcoal
Enhance your body's natural detoxification capabilities with Activated Coconut Charcoal by Solaray. Known as activated carbon, this form of charcoal has been valued for centuries as a comprehensive body cleanser. Each serving provides 500 mg of activated charcoal made from non-GMO coconut, certified vegan, and supports healthy detoxification.
What is Activated Charcoal Good For?
Activated charcoal is primarily used to remove toxins or unwanted substances from the body, promote waste elimination, and support overall wellness. However, it is also beneficial for mild gas and bloating.2
Activated charcoal can also absorb nutrients and some medications, so it should be taken at least an hour before or after other vitamins, supplements, or medications you want your body to absorb.
Popular Activated Charcoal Uses
Detox Support
Activated charcoal absorbs toxins in the gut, binds them, and reduces their absorption. It can also lower serum concentrations of certain toxins or substances and aid the body in their elimination.1
Activated charcoal is most effective at absorbing toxins in the gastrointestinal tract.
Gas Reduction
Compounds that contribute to gas in your gastrointestinal tract may be attracted to activated charcoal, helping to alleviate gas-related discomfort. Just as activated charcoal attracts and binds to toxins, it also binds to gas-generating compounds in food.
Double-blind, placebo-controlled scientific research supports the effectiveness of activated charcoal in reducing bloating and gas-related discomfort.5
Toxin Removal & Kidney Health
Our kidneys are generally adept at eliminating toxins independently, but activated charcoal can bind toxins like urea and assist in their removal, thereby reducing the workload on the kidneys.6
Activated Charcoal for Teeth Whitening
Consider brushing your teeth with activated charcoal. Although brushing with a black, activated charcoal powder or toothpaste might temporarily alter your appearance in the mirror, it can also lead to brighter teeth. Activated charcoal whitening tooth powder helps clean and whiten teeth while combating plaque formation.
If you prefer a more traditional cleaning paste, try wintergreen-flavored Activated Charcoal Toothpaste, made with coconut oil and bentonite clay. These ingredients work together to clean, polish, whiten, and detoxify your teeth.
Activated Charcoal Skin Cleanser
Since it's effective for internal detoxification, why not use it externally as well? Pamper yourself with Dead Sea Activated Charcoal Soap, which is naturally moisturizing and contains 21 trace minerals plus shea butter and argan oil to nourish the skin.
Detoxifying Activated Charcoal Face Mask
Give your face a fresh start with a detoxifying activated charcoal face mask. BubbForest stocks all the ingredients you need to make your own! Begin by mixing 1/2 teaspoon of activated charcoal powder with two teaspoons of turmeric, two teaspoons of raw honey, 1/2 teaspoon of extra virgin coconut oil, and just enough water to make it spreadable.
Or consider a Charcoal Face Mask. It enriches your skin with a boost of added vitamins A, B, C, D, and E.
Side Effects of Activated Charcoal
Activated charcoal is generally considered safe for most healthy adults to use in the short term.2 However, while mild side effects are occasional, more serious side effects are rare. Do not use activated charcoal if you have an intestinal obstruction or if you have a health condition that slows food movement in your intestines, unless recommended by your doctor.
Since activated charcoal can absorb substances in the stomach and intestines, it can also absorb medications and nutrients, potentially decreasing the availability of these substances for your body to absorb.2 Therefore, take activated charcoal at least an hour after any orally administered medications or supplements.2
Activated Charcoal Dosage
BubbForest Premium Activated Charcoal can be taken once per day with water. Each tablet contains 260 mg of activated charcoal powder derived from plant fibers. A single daily dose consists of two capsules (520 mg per serving).
A half-teaspoon serving of Solaray Activated Coconut Charcoal mixed with water can be taken once per day, providing 500 mg of potent, natural detoxifying power.
In specific cases, activated charcoal is administered in several doses beginning with an initial dose of 50 to 100 g, followed by additional doses every two to four hours at a rate of 12.5 g per hour.2
Always consult your physician before taking more activated charcoal than the suggested use indicated on your supplement’s label.
Detoxing with Activated Charcoal
Activated charcoal is an excellent addition to your detoxifying arsenal. It helps purify your body, reduces gas and bloating, and offers numerous other benefits. For more information, explore Take Care of U: 6 Ways to Take Care of Yourself and Brilliant Beauty Basics: Our Top Five Ingredients for Brilliant Hair, Skin & Nails for additional self-care tips and everyday beauty and wellness advice.
About Amy Sunderman, MS, RD
Director of Science & Innovation, Registered Dietitian, BubbForest Health
Amy is a registered dietitian, nutritionist and author with over 17 years of experience in the supplement industry. Amy is passionate about dietary supplements and the health benefits they offer. She enjoys working to find novel nutritional ingredients with strong clinical research behind them to drive innovation and provide health-promoting products to consumers.
*These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. These products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.
Sources
1. Activated Charcoal: Past, Present, and Future. Western Journal of Medicine. Read source
2. The Truth About Activated Charcoal. WebMD. Read source
3. Characterization and Properties of Activated Carbon. The Scientific World Journal. Read source
4. Coconut Shell Charcoal. Science.Gov. Read source
5. Efficacy of Activated Charcoal. National Library of Medicine. Read source
6. What Is Activated Charcoal? HealthLine. Read source
7. I Tried the Activated Charcoal Hangover Pill Everyone Is Talking About. Byrdie. Read source
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