What is activated charcoal?
Activated charcoal is produced by superheating natural sources of carbon, such as wood or coconut shells, stripping the charcoal of its previously absorbed molecules. Activated charcoal itself is a fine, odorless black powder that works to absorb toxins in the body. Since the body is unable to absorb charcoal, toxins will bind to the charcoal, and ultimately get eliminated from the body.
What is activated charcoal used for?
1.Stomach discomfort and gas:
Activated charcoal will bind to the substances that cause stomach gas. It’s best to consume activated charcoal before or after a meal that is likely to cause gas or other digestive problems. It’s also important to consume lots of water to speed up digestion.
2.Water filtration:
Activated charcoal works to remove toxins that tend to cause damage to organs such as the kidneys or the liver. When bound to urea and other toxins in the body, activated charcoal can reduce the number of waste products that filter through your kidneys and liver.
3.Soft and Glowing Skin:
Activated charcoal is great for exfoliation. It’s a common ingredient in face scrubs that helps to remove dead skin cells, promote circulation, and maintain even pH levels!
4.Takes away odors:
From kitchen or bathroom smells to bad breath, activated charcoal is great for removing all different types of odors. Placing some activated charcoal in a dish around the house will help neutralize the odor of the room, and swishing some around with water can help to eliminate bad breath.
5.Hangover Remedy:
Depending on how you spend your weekends, this might be the most important benefit of activated charcoal. Activated charcoal helps to quickly remove the toxins in your body that cause headaches or muscle weakness, curing symptoms of a long night of drinking. It is best to drink activated charcoal with a lot of water the morning after drinking, or before you start drinking to help with faster digestion.
If you’re looking to start enhancing any of these areas of your life, activated charcoal is a great place to start! *Activated charcoal is not for everyone and it is important to consult a health professional before taking supplementation.
Contact us for more information and ways to add activated charcoal to your own lifestyle!
By Jenna Cutler
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Jessica Mantell M.S., C.N.S., L.D.N.
CEO & Founder of NextGeneration Nutrition
NextGeneration Nutrition believes that better health should be accessible to everyone and that we all are able to improve our health through good nutrition, physical activity, and lifestyle change. We do not support setting shame-based goals but encourages embracing our bodies, genetics, and personality. Our philosophy is abandoning the “One Size Fits All” mentality to create a personalized wellness plan based on your biological makeup and your lifestyle.
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