Activated or active carbon is nothing more than carbon subjected to an oxidation process to increase its porosity and absorption capacity, that is, to trap and retain other substances on its surface . This property has led to its use for years in the emergency room to combat acute poisoning from drug overdoses or poisonings. It has also been used for the treatment and filtration of water and air, the purification of edible oils, in the extraction of gold or even in old masks or insoles to avoid the smell of feet.
However, in recent years it has become the remedy for almost everything and we have begun to see it, Instagram through, in a multitude of recipes of all kinds, from pizzas to ice creams to cocktails or breads , all of them with a striking color black man who has made him a star of social networks. The excuse for using it in these recipes and in countless beauty remedies is that it is attributed a series of qualities that, as we will see below, science does not support. Others, the least, however, have been proven, as the experts we have consulted explain to us.
Where does activated carbon come from?
Before ingesting a new ingredient, it is worth knowing what it really is. Activated carbon is obtained through a process called pyrolization, which consists of applying high temperatures to the carbon itself, to peat or wood, a gas is blown into it and a very fine powder is obtained. One of the most recurrent for the world of beauty and food is coconut bark, but almond shells, palm trees … are also used.
Does it have a detox effect?
As Dr. Domingo Carrera, a specialist in Nutrition at the Medical-Surgical Center for Digestive Diseases, explains, thanks to its absorption capacity, activated charcoal helps to 'trap' toxins and has a purifying effect.
- Nutritional deficiencies . The problem is that it not only attracts toxins, but also other substances such as some nutrients. Thus, if it is consumed for a long time, there is a risk of nutritional deficiencies. Even if we add it to one of those super vitamin shakes, we will be counteracting the positive effect of fruits and vegetables with it.
- Medicines. For the same reason, activated charcoal can interfere with the absorption of drugs, so they should not be taken together. Above all, when it is ingested a few minutes after taking these, it has been observed that it is capable of eliminating up to 88.4% of it and that is precisely why it is so good for poisoning, but in cases of adequate intake, it is not. It has no benefit, on the contrary, it is depriving us of those that the treatment in question provides us
- Good for the kidney? There are those who defend that by trapping toxins it would reduce the waste that the kidneys must filter, improving their efficiency. However, Alberto Ortiz, Coordinator of Research and Teaching of the Spanish Society of Nephrology, emphasizes that its effectiveness in this sense has not been proven one hundred percent and that to notice an effect it would be necessary to take a large amount of activated carbon daily, which It is not easy and could have some serious contraindications.
In reality, none of those shakes or compounds, neither those with activated carbon nor any other, that have become so fashionable, have a detox effect and even if they did, it would be completely unnecessary to take them. Why? Because luckily, our body is more than ready to clean and purify itself. For that we have organs such as the liver or the kidneys , whose function is precisely that, and under normal conditions, they do not require 'helpers' in the form of shakes that taste like rays to perform their functions.
Reduce the cholesterol?
Dr. Vicente Arrarte, from the Spanish Society of Cardiology, affirms that it does prevent part of the cholesterol from the diet from being absorbed, but it does so in a very small proportion (5-10%) and, given the associated risk of not being absorbed other substances necessary for the body, it is not a recommended option.
Does it purify the skin and remove oil?
Yes, it attracts the oil and dirt that clog pores and lead to blackheads, but in the long run, it is not effective. As explained by Dr. Antonio Clemente, a dermatologist member of the Spanish Academy of Dermatology and Venereology (AEDV), activated charcoal masks do not treat the causes of blackheads and fat, which is the excess production of sebum, thus the problem reappears and, in addition, it may be even worse, so they have to be used more and more frequently.
On the other hand, these types of masks are usually peel off , that is, the ones that have to be 'plucked' from the skin by pulling and pulling, so in addition to the blackheads we take the protective layer of the skin itself and we end up with its barrier function and we have a hard time because it hurts a lot. In dark skin it can cause scars and in the clearest and most sensitive, irritation and redness and even in some cases allergic reactions. And it is that, it has also become fashionable to add glue to the mixture with activated carbon and the consequences are terrible.
Oily hair, cleaner?
Dr. Miguel Sánchez Viera, director of the Institute of Integral Dermatology, points out that it can also reduce hair oil, but if you do not want the "rebound effect" to occur, it is necessary to alternate shampoos and masks with activated carbon with other neutral ones.
Is it used to whiten teeth?
You can clarify them (at least in the first moment), but Dr. Iván Malagón does not advise it, since it is a method that has not been validated by any large dental institution. In fact, a study published by the specialized magazine British Dental Journal has not found benefits in the use of these toothpastes but also indicates that they can cause serious oral problems:
- Enamel damage. The American Dental Association has warned that not knowing the absorption power of activated charcoal could deteriorate dental enamel , which is what protects teeth, and whose loss is irreversible. It is that first deterioration of the enamel that makes the teeth appear whiter but in the long term not only is it not maintained but it makes them worse.
- Caries . It is often claimed that it can prevent them because it balances the pH of the mouth and eliminates bacteria (hence it is also used as a remedy against bad breath). However, Dr. Silvia Sánchez, head of Clinical Immunology at the Ruber International Medical Center in Paseo de La Habana (Madrid), emphasizes that there are studies that assure that including activated charcoal in toothpastes greatly improves their ability to inactivate bacteria but that there are others who claim, just the opposite, that it makes it worse.
- Gum recession and tooth sensitivity . According to a study published by the OCU, activated charcoal toothpaste can be abrasive and, in addition to damaging the enamel, can cause a recession of the gums and an increase in tooth sensitivity by loading the enamel.
Does it help the digestive system?
- Reduce gas. The European Food Safety Agency recognizes that it helps reduce the accumulation of gases. To do this, you should take 1 g of activated charcoal at least 30 min before lunch, and 1 g after.
- It can improve diarrhea. A recent Canadian review concluded that activated charcoal has the potential to be an effective remedy for diarrhea , with the advantage that it has far fewer side effects than other diarrhea treatments. But anyway, she pointed out that more studies were needed. Dr. Carrera adds that, if used, they should not be more than 2 days.
- It can block the intestines. Be careful because a high consumption of activated carbon can cause intestinal obstructions such as bezoar, which is nothing more than an accumulation of foreign bodies in the intestine that can hinder and even prevent transit, and can also cause fecal concretions.
Does it cure a hangover?
It is of very little use and, if anything, if it is taken before. But even so the effect is very limited, since alcohol is already absorbed in the stomach and there are many doubts about whether coal can absorb large amounts of alcohol.
