Activated Charcoal: Is it Safe to Eat?

Activated charcoal has infiltrated the juice scene over the last few years. Have you ever seen those completely black juices? The charcoal is touted for anti bloating properties (gas/digestion), hangover cures, detoxification, and energy-boost… but is it too good to be true? It might just be.

What is Activated Charcoal?

An element made from carbon-containing material, like wood, that is heated at high temperatures to create charcoal, then oxidized – a process known as “activation.” The product I use is activated coconut charcoal powder made from sustainable coconuts.

How Does it Work?

Activated charcoal traps toxins and chemicals in the gut before they’re absorbed into the body. The porous texture of the charcoal has a negative electrical charge which causes it to attract positively charged molecules, like toxins and gases and trap them in the gut. Since activated charcoal is not absorbed by your body, it can carry the toxins bound to its surface out of your body in feces. Essentially, it acts like a magnet for organic toxins. (1)

Activated charcoal can also now be found in natural deodorants, face masks, toothpaste and more — with claims to reduce body odor, clear acne, whiten teeth and reduce bad breath. (2)

When to Consume:

Directions for consuming activated charcoal direct that you take the charcoal an hour after eating or taking any kind of medication because it can not tell the good nutrients from the bad. In fact, consumption is not meant for daily use, it is meant to be used if and when you need an intense clean sweep or method of getting something toxic out of your body.

“Ideally, you should only sip it three or four hours after your last meal, says Minchen. “Throughout the day it’s vital to fuel the body with fruits and veggies which have the vitamins, minerals and phytonutrients the body needs to stay healthy. Since activated charcoal is so absorbent, drinking it during the day or too close to a meal can interfere with the absorption of these nutrients.” (3)

Potential Health Benefits of Activated Charcoal

Gas/Bloating: Charcoal works by binding the gas-causing byproducts in foods that cause discomfort (2).

Dosing recommendations to alleviate gas and bloating: Take 500 milligrams one hour prior to a typical gas-producing meal, with a full glass of water. Follow with an additional glass of water immediately thereafter to help get the charcoal into your system, where it can bind with gas-producing elements.

Hangover: Although there is no science to support this claim, many people swear by Activated Charcoal consumption to treat a hangover. First, they either take it while they’re drinking which can be said to minimize blood alcohol levels but like… why? In terms of the day after drinking, I can’t support this with a study other than my own test which after a 2 nights straight of drinking, i was feeling REALLY BAD. I had a lot of gas & bloating, I was tired & sluggish, so feeling like my body was full of toxic waste I thought.. what do I can have lose?! I made my Charcoal lemonade which had the added benefit of the lemon water as a diuretic and I wanted whatever was in my body OUT. I felt a little better immediately but chalk that up to added hydration. The next morning, let’s just say the detox occurred… maybe placebo, maybe just my body’s survival mode, but the poo was kind of black (gross I know!) so I know there was some charcoal doing work. The morning after the morning after, I felt great!

Detox: Activated charcoal uses help promote a healthy digestive tract by removing toxins that cause allergic reactions, oxidative damage and poor immune system function. By removing the toxins from your system, you can reduce joint pain, increase energy and increase mental function. (2)  The detoxification process occurs like I noted above in the hangover help.

Energy Boost: Energy-boost occurs from a healthy gut. An occasional cleanse & a healthy GI tract increases energy and a sharp gut-brain connection. Keeping your gut healthy is absolutely essential and not done exclusively by activated charcoal.

Warning: Activated Charcoal is not a Catch All. In fact, it should only be used if NEEDED and it’s a not healthy regular practice.

Who SHOULD NOT take Activated Charcoal: skip out on the trend if you are taking prescription medications or supplements. Charcoal can’t tell the difference between toxins, meds, vitamins and minerals. If there is something you have been prescribed by a doctor that is keeping you healthy and safe, do not drink charcoal without consulting a physician. This does not exclude Birth Control!

Charcoal Lemonade Recipe:

Other Uses:

Emergency Poison Treatment

Face Masks / Beauty Products

Teeth Whitener

Water Filtration

Bottom Line:

Charcoal should be consumed really only in the case of emergency or as a last resort. If you’re taking medication, consult a health professional before taking. There isn’t a great deal of science to back up many of these health benefit claims so I’m pretty skeptical of the stuff. I feel like this should only be used if you’re in bad shape and need to evacuate the system (for lack of a better term!) – you’re feeling really crummy, accidentally poisoned or overdosed.