This article is about the pseudoscientific uses of activated charcoal. For the scientifically proven medical uses of "activated charcoal", see Activated charcoal (medication). For the technical description and industrial applications of "activated charcoal", see Activated carbon.
Activated charcoal cleanses, also known as charcoal detoxes, are a pseudoscientific use of a proven medical intervention. Activated charcoal is available in powder, tablet and liquid form. Its proponents claim the use of activated charcoal on a regular basis will detoxify and cleanse the body as well as boost one's energy and brighten the skin. Such claims violate basic principles of chemistry and physiology. There is no medical evidence for any health benefits of cleanses or detoxes via activated charcoal or any other method. Charcoal, when ingested, will absorb vitamins and nutrients as well as prescription medications present in the gastrointestinal tract which can make it dangerous to use unless directed by a medical doctor.
Activated charcoal is used to detoxify people, but only in life-threatening medical emergencies such as overdosesorpoisonings.[5][6] As it is indigestible it will only work on poisons or medications still present in the stomach and intestines.[6] Once these have been absorbed by the body the charcoal will no longer be able to adsorb them so early intervention is desirable.[2] Charcoal is not an effective treatment for alcohol, metalsorelemental poisons such as lithiumorarsenic as it will only adsorb certain chemicals and molecules.[2] It is usually administered by a nasogastric tube into the stomach as the thick slurry required for maximum adsorption is very difficult to swallow.[7]
A vegan burger with a charcoal bunPizza made with charcoal were popular in 2016 as they gave the dough an umami flavor.A charcoal dog biscuit
Activated charcoal, as used in cleanses or detoxes, became popular around 2014 after it was brought to mainstream attention by Gwyneth Paltrow'sGoop company where it was described as "one of the best juice cleanses".[8] Since then, it has become a popular additive to many different types of foods and drinks including juices, lemonades, coffee, pastries, ice cream, burgers, pizzas and pet food.[9][10] The City of New York has banned activated charcoal in food products unless approval for their use is granted from the FDA.[11] Activated charcoal, excluding products designed for emergency medical interventions, is available in many pharmacies, wellness and health food stores in tablet, capsule and powder forms.[1]
Proponents of charcoal detoxes claim that it will cleanse the body by aiding in the removal of excess toxins that the body is unable to get rid of by itself.[12] Other claims made include that the use of activated charcoal provides anti-ageing benefits, will increase energy, brighten skin, decrease wind and bloating and aid weight loss.[5][8][11] It is also said to be an ideal product in skincare products for improving acne and scarring.[13]
Scott Gavura of Science Based Medicine was highly critical of the use of activated charcoal in the wellness industry. In his 2015 article "Activated charcoal: The latest detox fad in an obsessive food culture", he said:[1]
Fake detox, the kind you find in magazines, and sold in pharmacies, juice bars, and health food stores, is make-believe medicine. The use of the term 'toxin' in this context is meaningless. There are no toxins named, because there's no evidence that these treatments do anything at all, but it sounds just scientific enough to be plausible.
It will bind with nutrients in food present in the stomach and intestines making the food less nutritious.[8]
It will bind with some medications making it dangerous to use if medications have recently been used.[8]
Charcoal will only adsorb particles present in the gastrointestinal tract when it is taken. If taken to cure a hangover from consuming alcohol the night before, it will not work.[8]
Jay RaynerofThe Guardian contacted a manufacturer of activated charcoal lemonade to ask about its detoxifying properties. He was told that they make no claims at all about the product. When he then asked how the product detoxes the body, he was told that he was confusing the term "detox" with the medical term "detoxification".[14]
unless you have a rare health condition that renders your liver—or its supporting players: your kidneys, digestive system, lungs and lymphatic system—unable to perform as designed, then your body doesn't need help. Unless you have overdosed or been poisoned, there's no substantial evidence that activated charcoal will benefit you.
Charcoal is also used as an alternative to whitening products in toothpastes, but was found to not be as effective in whitening the teeth as regular products such as hydrogen peroxide.[11][15]
^Dillon, Edward C; Wilton, John H; Barlow, Jared C; Watson, William A (1989-05-01). "Large surface area activated charcoal and the inhibition of aspirin absorption". Annals of Emergency Medicine. 18 (5): 547–552. doi:10.1016/S0196-0644(89)80841-8. PMID2719366.
