Recently activated charcoal has been a growing food trend. Foodies have been flocking to restaurants that feature activated charcoal as an ingredient in various desserts including ice cream. (see recipe below for Charcoal ice-cream).
It is important to differentiate between charcoal and activated charcoal. Charcoal used in your barbeque is not the same as activated charcoal and should not be consumed! Barbeque charcoal contains toxins and chemicals that would be harmful to your system. Activated charcoal goes through a heat process, which removes the harsh compounds and a porous surface perfect for absorption. When purchasing activated charcoal for consumption you should look for it from natural sources such as coconut shells.
Activated charcoal is most commonly used for drug overdoses and treatment of poisoning. Less commonly known benefits include the reduction of bloating and gas, the lowering of LDL cholesterol, the treatment of bile flow during pregnancy, and the prevention of hangovers. When using activated charcoal it is vital that you drink between 12 -16 glasses of water in a day as it can cause dehydration. Water also helps flush out the toxins trapped by the activated charcoal.
Treatment of poisoning and drug overdose
Activated charcoal contains millions of tiny pores that trap toxins and chemicals. It works through a chemical process known as adsorption binding elements to its surface. Activated charcoal also has a negative electric charge, which allows positively charged gas and toxins to bind to it. It swiftly eliminates toxins and prevents absorption of the toxins into the blood stream. Activated charcoal is used when organic compounds, mercury, fertilizer, pesticides, bleach, aspirin, opium, cocaine, acetaminophen, and morphine are ingested. Activated charcoal can also be utilized in food poisoning cases when there is nausea and diarrhea. It is critical that the correct amount of activated charcoal is administered as quickly as possible (within an hour of ingestion) for optimal effects. Research has proven that activated charcoal is more effective than stomach pumping in specific situations.
Gas, Bloating, and Digestive health
Digestive cleanses are important due to our exposure to pesticides, chemicals, and mold through our food and water intake. These substances can cause a toxic environment in our digestive tract, allergic reactions, poor immune function, and oxidative damage. Activated charcoal binds to these toxins and removes them from your system. In addition, activated charcoal responds similarly to gas as it does to toxins in the body. It binds together with food byproduct that creates gas and discomfort such as bloating and removes it from your digestive system.
Lowers Cholesterol Levels
Research suggests that activated charcoal, when consumed regularly, can reduce the levels of bad cholesterol (LDL) while increasing the levels of good cholesterol (HDL) in your body as effectively as some prescription medications.
Water Purification
Water is essential to the healthy operation of our bodies. It helps our organs function, lubricates our joints, fights lethargy and soothes our digestive tract. The water filtration systems we use today contain activated charcoal, which traps impurities allowing us to drink tap water without the toxic effects. For example, fluoride can compromise our oral health, immune function, and our kidneys and liver. The fluoride levels in water are drastically reduced through activated carbon filtration systems allowing us to get our daily intake of purified water.
Mold Cleanse
Toxic mold can build up in our bodies causing liver and kidney failure, cognitive impairment, heart disease, headaches, vomiting, reduced immune function, respiratory distress, and eye irritation. Mold enters our bodies due to poor ventilation in areas where flooding has occurred such as bathrooms, basements, and laundry rooms. Activated charcoal can bind itself to toxic mold in the body and remove it when caught in a timely manner.
Prevents hangovers and Alcohol Poisoning
Alcohol cannot bind to activated charcoal however when consumed at the same time as alcohol it can significantly reduce blood alcohol concentration. In addition, alcohol is usually consumed with mixers that contain chemicals and artificial sweeteners, which contribute to alcohol poisoning. These toxins can be removed through the digestion of activated charcoal.
Quick Recipe: Charcoal Ice Cream
Ingredients
- 2 cups full-fat coconut milk
- 2 cups condensed coconut milk
- 2 tablespoons arrowroot starch
- 2 tablespoons honey
- 2 ½ teaspoons vanilla extract
- 4 tablespoons activated charcoal powder
- 3 ½ tablespoons raw cacao powder
Directions
Place freezer bowl in freezer overnight.
On a medium-low heat stove mix milk, condensed milk, starch, honey, vanilla extract, cacao powder and charcoal. Do not let mixture come to a boil.
Pour mixture into a bowl, cover and place in the fridge for a minimum of 1 hour before making ice cream.
Assemble ice cream maker and turn on the rotating freezer bowl.
Pour ice cream mixture into the freezer bowl and churn for 15 minutes or until desired consistency.
For thicker ice-cream pour mixture into a container, cover with parchment paper and place in the freezer for about 1 hour.
Serve with your favorite ice cream toppings. (pistachios, coconut shavings)