Although we may not typically associate the color black with all things health and wellness, prepare to be stunned because, nowadays, black is the new green. Introducing activated charcoal: the ingredient we didn't know we needed in our life until, well, now. So what exactly is activated charcoal, and what are its health benefits? Let's take a closer look.
Typically, activated charcoal comes from charred coconut shells and actually has health benefits that affect one's internal health and external beauty. The deep dark-colored ingredient has toxin-clearing properties, which could delay the rate at which toxins affect your brain function as you age. A study found that for mice who ingested activated charcoal, their overall lifespan increased and slowed down their age-related changes in their tissues and organs. Charcoal is also often associated with alleviating stomach aches and reducing bloating, gas, and abdominal cramps.
For those curious about charcoal's beauty benefits, Poosh put together a list of charcoal-infused products that are definitely worth the hype. The deep-dark ingredient can help bring micro-particles such as bacteria and dirt sitting under your skin to life, making them easier to remove and causing fewer breakouts. Something we're always definitely interested in is breaking out less, so check out Origins Clear Improvement Charcoal Honey Mask. The ingredient can also help remove pigments and stains from your teeth, and get rid of bacteria and toxins in your mouth, to give you those pearly whites. Poosh recommends TERRA & CO.'s Brilliant Black Dental Floss or Brilliant Black Oil Pulling for some of the best results in charcoal's teeth whitening benefits.
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Now that we know celebrity smoothies are the ultimate collab, following Hailey Bieber's bright pink Strawberry Glaze Skin Smoothie at Erewhon, Poosh's creator, Kourtney Kardashian, recently introduced a charcoal-infused detox smoothie of her own at the health foods store. The black and white marble-looking smoothie is packed with almond milk, coconut water, yogurt alternative, banana, blueberries, avocado, maple syrup, a few other ingredients, and of course, activated charcoal. The $18 smoothie is loaded with delicious health benefits and just so happens to be extra Instagram-worthy. So if you're looking to get your activated charcoal fix, make sure to try Kourt's latest vegan concoction at Erewhon, now available for a limited time! And stay tuned for more hacks.
