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Top 10 Amazing Benefits of Activated Charcoal

Top 10 Amazing Benefits of Activated Charcoal


What Is Activated Charcoal?

Activated charcoal or activated carbon is the new buzz in the nutrition and cosmetic industry. It is a fine, black-colored powder, which is prepared from coconut shells or peat.

Charcoal is activated with gases at high temperature, which removes previously adsorbed substances and further reduces particle size. This results in an exceptionally porous final product.

Charcoal was used as an antidote for the first time in 1811 and no side-effects were observed after consuming charcoal.

However, one should not confuse activated charcoal with charcoal briquettes that are used to light your barbeque. Though the base materials for both are the same, charcoal briquettes are not activated at high temperatures.

What are the Benefits of Activated Charcoal?

1. May Reduce Cholesterol Level

Activated carbon is effective in reducing blood cholesterol and triglyceride level, says research. It has the ability to bind the bile acids in the gut and prevent its absorption in the body.

The body needs cholesterol to produce bile acids, which helps in the digestion and absorption of fat. Thus, the liver uses cholesterol in the blood, which decreases the amount of cholesterol circulating in the blood.

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In one study, consumption of activated charcoal for 3 weeks reduced total and LDL cholesterol levels and improved HDL cholesterol level in the blood.

Activated carbon is as effective as cholestyramine (medication that works by removing bile acid from the body), in lowering the blood cholesterol levels.

Activated Carbon can Reduce Bad Blood Cholesterol Levels

2. Improves Kidney Function

Activated charcoal improves kidney function in individuals with kidney diseases. It acts as a filtering agent and helps in getting rid of the unwanted waste materials present in excess amount in individuals with kidney diseases.

Urea and other waste products are bound to activated charcoal and their diffusion into the gastrointestinal tract from the blood is prevented. This helps in the elimination of waste products in the feces.

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In a study, use of activated charcoal significantly reduced blood urea levels in older patients with end stage renal disease who refused dialysis. Hence, treatment with activated charcoal in combination with a low protein diet can be useful in patients with kidney disease.

3. Tooth Whitening Agent

Activated charcoal is a natural tooth-whitening agent. Its high absorbing ability may produce an ion exchange in the mouth, via its fine pores to bind and remove tooth staining agents.

Activated charcoal or carbon is one of the materials present in toothpaste products. Using activated charcoal to brush your teeth can absorb the dirt and clean the teeth.

However, more studies are required to confirm the positive effects of activated charcoal on dental health.

Activated Charcoal is a Natural Tooth-whitening Agent

4. Emergency Poison Treatment

A study found that activated charcoal alone is more effective in the treatment for poison than 'universal antidote'. It is often used in cases of poisoning due to its high toxin-binding ability.

The tremendous surface area of activated charcoal or carbon permits binding of various drugs and toxins in the gastrointestinal lumen and thus reduces their absorption.

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5. Treats Fish Odor Syndrome

Activated charcoal is effective in improving the quality of life of individuals suffering from trimethylaminuria, a genetic disease characterized by body odor and the smell of rotting fish due to over excretion of trimethylamin, a smelly compound rather than trimethylamin N-oxide, a non-smelly compound in the urine, breath and sweat.

One study found that intake of activated charcoal reduced the urinary trimethyamin concentration and increased the concentration of trimethylamin N-oxide.

The fine porous surface of activated carbon binds to the odorous compounds and increases their excretion.

6. Water Filtration

Activated carbon is used in the water treatment to remove water contaminants. It is used in the water filtering system due to its excellent adsorption capacity.

The large surface area and porosity of activated carbon helps in the purification of drinking water. These pores trap and lock the water contaminants during the water filtration process. It further improves the taste and odor of drinking water and balances the pH of water.

Activated Carbon can be Used to Remove Water Contaminants

7. Alcohol Poisoning

A study observed that intake of alcohol with activated charcoal helps in reducing the blood alcohol levels. Hence, it can be used to cure hangovers.

However, the alcohol lowering effect of activated charcoal was observed in animals and its effect in humans deserves evaluation.

8. Reduces Flatulence and Gas

Activated charcoal is effective in reducing flatulence and bloating and abdominal cramps associated with it. It reduces the production of gas in the colon and further decreases breath hydrogen levels.

One study observed that, intake of activated charcoal after consuming a gas producing meal reduced the number of flatus events and breath hydrogen levels.

Activated Charcoal is Effective in Reducing Flatulence and Bloating

9. Treats Drug Overdose

Oral activated charcoal is helpful in the treatment of drug overdose and it is simple to administer and safe as compared to other gastrointestinal decontamination methods.

Activated charcoal reduces drug absorption when it is administered soon after drug ingestion.

It binds to the drugs and causes their excretion in the urine.

10. Skin Lightening Agent

Activated charcoal is added to various skin care products. It acts as a cleanser and removes excess oil and dead skin cells from your skin.

It further helps in skin lightening and cleans the skin pores by killing the bacteria present on the skin.

Activated Charcoal Acts as a Cleanser and Removes Excess Oil and Dead Skin Cells from Your Skin

Latest Publications and Research on Top 10 Amazing Benefits of Activated Charcoal

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