I remember taking charcoal tablets when I was a kid and I had diarrhea and later I learned it is also used to help treat drug overdose and poisoning. When you take activated charcoal, drugs and toxins can bind to it. This helps rid the body of unwanted substances. (Though it isn't useful to treat alcohol, lithium, cyanide and iron tablets overdose.)
Activated charcoal is thought to offer several other benefits, including less gas and flatulence, lower cholesterol levels, and improved kidney function. Some people claim that it helps whiten your teeth, filters water, and even cures hangovers.
Charcoal is made from coal, wood, or other substances. It becomes "activated charcoal" when high temperatures combine with a gas or activating agent to expand its surface area. It shouldn’t be confused with the charcoal briquettes in your grill or barbecue.
Activated charcoal is considered safe in most cases, and adverse reactions are infrequent.
That said, it may cause some unpleasant side effects, the most common of which are vomiting, especially if sorbitol is also used as an ingredient .Keep in mind that activated charcoal may also reduce the absorption of certain medications.
Here are my favorite drinks made with food-grade activated charcoal.
YIELDS
PREP TIME
COOK TIME
TOTAL TIME
- 1 tsp food grade activated charcoal
- 1/2 cup plant milk
- 1–2 tsp maple syrup
- 1 shot espresso
- optional ice
- 1 ts food grade activated charcoal
- 1 ts lemon juice
- 2 dl water
- 1 ts food grade activated charcoal
- 1 cup plant milk
- 1–2 ts vanilla extract
- to sweeten dates
- 4 cups filtered water
- 1/4 cup freshly squeezed lemon juice
- to taste agave syrup
- 6–8 basil leaves
- lemon slices
- 1/4 ts food grade activated charcoal
- 3/4 cup plant milk
- 1 cinnamon stick
- 5–6 cardamom pods
- thumb size unpeeled ginger, chopped finely
- 1/4 ts food grade activated charcoal
- tiny pinch sea salt
- 1 ts dandelion honey
Directions
Black latte:
In a blender combine activated charcoal, maple syrup and plant milk. Blend until completely mixed and frothy.
Make your espresso and add it to a taller glass. (If you make iced coffee you can prepare it ahead and let it chill.)
Add charcoal-mix over the espresso and enjoy. Optionally you can add ice first, then chilled espresso and make an ice latte.
Charcoal energy shot:
On days when I’m feeling down energetically I like to boost my energy with a charcoal energy shot.
It works like energy drinks but way more healthy!
Simply combine well 1 teaspoon of activated charcoal with 1 or 2 teaspoons of lemon or lime juice and 2 dl of water.
Caffeine-free Charcoal Latte:
Add plant milk to a saucepan and heat over medium heat until steaming. Add dates to sweeten.
Transfer warm milk, dates, charcoal and vanilla extract to a blender and blend until smooth and creamy.
Serve hot.
Detox Black Basil Lemonade:
Whisk together charcoal, lemon juice and agave syrup. Then add water and whisk well again. You can add more sweetener or lemon juice until you reach the desired taste. I like it more sour and lemony, and less sweet.
Serve over ice. Add in lemon slices and basil leaves.
Charcoal Chai:
Add plant milk, cinnamon stick, ginger and cardamom to a sauce pan. Bring it to a boil then lower the heat to simmer. Cook for about 5 more minutes.
Transfer hot milk to a blender ( you can remove spices or keep), add charcoal, dandelion honey and a tiny pinch of sea salt and blend it until frothy. Enjoy hot.
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Photo: Imola Toth
