Activated Charcoal

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The claim · the black latte detoxes and whitens

EVIDENCEGUIDE 1

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Activated charcoal can hold many kinds of molecules on its surface and carry them out in stool. That is why, in the emergency room, doctors may consider it for certain poisonings where the substance was just swallowed and is still in the gut, to cut how much reaches the blood.

The same grabbing power has been stirred into lattes, toothpaste, and daily capsules and sold to healthy people as detox, whitening, and hangover relief. Yet these products cannot say which toxin they remove or how much of it. What charcoal grabs in the gut may instead be nutrients from your food and the medicines you take. The chapter on why a healthy body does not need it takes this mechanism apart.

If someone has swallowed too much of a medicine or something poisonous, get medical help right away or call your local emergency number; do not drink charcoal at home in place of care.

Educational content, not medical advice — consult a clinician.

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Activated Charcoal

Read full story

Stop 1/6

The claim · the black latte detoxes and whitens

EVIDENCEGUIDE 1

READ THE ORIGINAL

Activated charcoal can hold many kinds of molecules on its surface and carry them out in stool. That is why, in the emergency room, doctors may consider it for certain poisonings where the substance was just swallowed and is still in the gut, to cut how much reaches the blood.

The same grabbing power has been stirred into lattes, toothpaste, and daily capsules and sold to healthy people as detox, whitening, and hangover relief. Yet these products cannot say which toxin they remove or how much of it. What charcoal grabs in the gut may instead be nutrients from your food and the medicines you take. The chapter on why a healthy body does not need it takes this mechanism apart.

If someone has swallowed too much of a medicine or something poisonous, get medical help right away or call your local emergency number; do not drink charcoal at home in place of care.

Educational content, not medical advice — consult a clinician.