Author: Maria Alfano
Are the activated charcoal benefits that good? Is this a new fad or does it live up to its hype? I mean, the thought of putting charcoal into or onto your body is frankly quite weird. After all, isn’t charcoal for the bbq? Let’s not get these confused. There is charcoal and then there is activated charcoal.
Thousands of beauty products, health and wellness products, and even cleaning products claim to have activated charcoal in them. The amount of charcoal depends on the product and its uses. Personally, I have used face wipes with this ingredient in them and my skin never felt better. My face was soft, smooth, and oil-free. And, the dry spots were moisturized. Overall, I loved the way they left the skin on my face.
Top household brands like Colgate, Arm & Hammer, and Biore must know something we don’t since they have entire product lines infused with activated charcoal. As you age, your body could use a little extra help to help rid itself of any toxins.
Activated Charcoal Benefits And How To Use It At 50+
Let’s start from the beginning to understand what activated charcoal is, then we can explore the pros and cons of activated charcoal benefits. This post will guide you through the mystery of activated charcoal.
What Is Activated Charcoal
This natural product is made through the controlled combustion of products like wood, coconut shells, olive pits, sawdust, or bamboo. These products are infused with gasses at really high temperatures that make them activated and very porous. The process allows the charcoal to pick up unwanted substances in the body and expel them. Toxins are not absorbed into the body because activated charcoal acts like a magnet that they stick to.
Pros of Activated Charcoal
As the body ages, its ability to take care of itself wanes especially as the hormone levels drop. Activated charcoal benefits you in many ways from health to beauty to purifying the air you breathe. It is available in many forms from powder to creams and everything in between.
Health Benefits
Kidney function – reduced kidney function from aging or kidney disease may be improved with the use of activated charcoal capsules. As urine passes through the system, any toxins within will bind to the charcoal and will be excreted through the urination process.
Cholesterol – studies have shown that taking activated charcoal supplements may help reduce the bad (LDL) cholesterol and promote the increase of HDL (good) cholesterol
Poison – accidental poisoning affects 1 person every 15 seconds in America. Activated charcoal is used in emergency departments all over the world. Because the charcoal absorbs the poison, it can reduce the effects of accidental poisoning by up to 50% if taken within the first 15 minutes of ingesting the substance.
Gas and bloating – some foods naturally give you gas and make you feel bloated. As we age our digestive system is not running as well as it used to. Eating foods like beans can put you in an embarrassing situation. Charcoal can help bind the extra fiber and cellulose from the beans to control both the bloat and runny stools.
Water filtration – you likely already have one of these in your home. Brita water pitchers use activated charcoal filters to get rid of all the bad stuff in your water. You can also buy some to-go filter sticks for your refillable water bottles so you can always be sure you’re drinking healthy water.
Air purification – unlike spray deodorizers that mask the odors in your home, activated charcoal absorbs those nasty smells and cleans the air. Simply because this natural product has no chemicals and because of its magnetic qualities, it draws in the scents from the air along with any toxins and returns fresh clean air back into your space.
Beauty Benefits
Skin irritations – whether from an insect bite or an existing skin condition, activated charcoal powder mixed with coconut oil makes the perfect salve for an itchy spot. Apply liberally and cover with a bandage to avoid further infection and from getting the mixture everywhere that it shouldn’t be.
Teeth whitening – years of drinking coffee, tea, alcohol, or smoking turns your teeth a yellow shade of white. Charcoal powder or charcoal toothpaste is a quick way to whiten the surface of your teeth naturally. No more spending money on expensive dental treatments to get those pearly whites bright and shiny. As mentioned above, activated charcoal draws all the bad stuff from your body, including your teeth. As you brush, rinse, and spit, the yellow will start to disappear. You should see a noticeable difference in the first week.
Facial Masks – similar to how it draws all the toxins from your body, water, or the air, the activated charcoal mask will draw dirt, and gunk from your pores. Your skin will thank you for taking such good care of it.
Haircare – do you suffer from eczema or dry itchy scalp. The charcoal shampoo helps alleviate all this by gently exfoliating your scalp leaving it tingly clean.
Deodorant – there is a large movement away from chemical-filled deodorants and antiperspirants to something more natural and less harsh. Charcoal is being infused into many popular brands because of its ability to repel odors and draw in moisture.
Cons of Activated Charcoal
The only real con for activated charcoal benefits is that you may end up with black stools and give you constipation if you take too much. Bowel movements are tricky enough as you age, you don’t need to add any stress. Although activated charcoal is pretty safe to use, it is not recommended by the FDA. Like with all new things you try, always consult your primary caregiver before taking activated charcoal.
In Summary
The activated charcoal benefits are numerous. Lower your carbon footprint with this natural product that is chemical-free and good for you. We would love to hear from you. What is your favorite way to use activated charcoal? Do you have a product that you love containing activated charcoal that you use all the time?