A lot of people claim that you can drink activated charcoal for weight loss, but is it really a safe and effective method to slim down, or should you be avoiding it? To get the answer to this important question, continue reading.
First Off, What Is Activated Charcoal?
Activated charcoal is basically a carbon that’s been processed so that it will become absorbent. In emergency rooms, it is used in cases of acute poisoning, as it can bind itself to toxins and reduce the toxicity absorbed by the body. After charcoal binds with toxins, the body removes them via the digestive tract. But does this mean that you can use activated charcoal for weight loss?
Detox Doesn’t Mean Weight Loss
Individuals who want to go on detox diets, in particular, often seek out activated charcoal to help them achieve the results that they’re after. But even though activated charcoal can bind itself to the toxins within your stomach, there isn’t any evidence to prove that the average individual has toxins stored within their body. There also isn’t enough evidence to prove that detoxification even leads to weight loss. What researchers have found thus far is that detox diets are nothing more than a fad that makes promises that are actually myths.
When you use activated charcoal for weight loss, you will end up fasting for a few days, and that will cause you to lose weight, but the weight loss won’t have anything to do with the charcoal or the detox. In fact, researchers determined that a lemon detox can result in weight loss in the same way because of the calorie restriction associated with fasting.
Side Effects
There are also side effects to consider before using activated charcoal to lose weight. These include vomiting, diarrhea, and constipation, as well as more serious issues like bowel obstruction. There is also concern surrounding whether or not charcoal could bind to the nutrients in the foods you eat, thereby decreasing your body’s ability to absorb those nutrients. If that is the case, you could become deficient in nutrients if you use activated charcoal often.
Better Ways to Lose Weight
Ultimately, there are better ways to lose weight, and they include following a healthy diet packed with whole foods, exercising regularly, and taking a weight management product like PhenBlue. Talking to your doctor about the best ways to lose weight for your body will also ensure you go about the process in the safest and most effective way possible.
When it comes to activated charcoal for weight loss, there simply isn’t enough evidence to prove that it works or is safe.
