“Black and healthy”, activated charcoal is the detox ingredient of the moment and is available in ice creams, soups, smoothies, coffees… Activated charcoal, kézaco? It comes from the burnt coconut shell. It is recognized as being a real "sponge" detoxifier, that is to say, which absorbs and eliminates toxins (the toxic substances present in our body). Perfect, right?! Well… not that much. According to specialists, its absorption would reduce the effectiveness of hormonal contraception. Oops!
In the columns of the American magazine Eater, experts have explained that activated carbon would make hormonal contraception such as the pill, implant, etc., ineffective. Why ? Its mode of action is to absorb toxins, but it is not able to tell the difference between “good” and “bad” toxin. The problem is here. For example, an activated charcoal ice cream partially removes the calcium, potassium and all the goodness from milk. And it's the same with drugs, whatever they are:ibuprofen (anti-inflammatory), pill, asthma treatment... The active ingredient of the drug is reduced by charcoal.
Let us be reassured all the same:it is not an activated charcoal smoothie that will completely annihilate the effect of our pill for sure. However, experts call for distrust and recommend avoiding detox cures over several days. Well, we lived without for years, we can continue!
