Should I take activated charcoal before going to bed?

Definition of activated charcoal & method of manufacture

Activated charcoal, also known as activated carbon, is a detoxifying product used in particular for digestion.

It is obtained by carbonising carbon-rich organic materials such as wood, coconut shells and vegetable charcoal.

This carbonisation is then followed by activation using steam or chemical products that make it porous and capable of adsorbing many substances.

Activated carbon has the particular ability to attract and bind to its surface certain elements that pass within its reach, including impurities such as toxins and certain gases.

Activated charcoal: benefits & uses

Aids digestion and prevents flatus

To begin with, the properties of activated charcoal are exploited in the health field to aid digestion and help reduce bloating and intestinal gas (2).

Activated charcoal intended for oral use (such as Charcoal) is highly valued in cases of excessive flatulence and a bloated stomach.

It is also sometimes prescribed by doctors to help control the symptoms of certain digestive disorders, such as gastroenteritis.

Some medicines designed to support intestinal flora also use it as an ingredient in combination with probiotic yeast.

Detoxifying the body

In the medical field, activated charcoal is also commonly used to detoxify people suffering from intoxication by certain chemicals, for example in the event of a drug overdose.

Its ability to capture various substances makes it potentially effective in eliminating undesirable molecules more quickly.

Some people are even using it to combat cholesterol.

Other uses for activated charcoal

The adsorbent action of charcoal is also used in certain cosmetic products (masks, creams, etc.) to purify the skin, and sometimes in toothpaste to whiten teeth.

It is also commonly used in water and air filters to retain pollutants, impurities and unpleasant odours.

How do you choose activated carbon?

Activated carbon is available in different forms:

• in powder form, ideal for making homemade cosmetics
• in granules, generally used in water and air filters
• in tablets or capsules, a form designed for oral use (like Charcoal capsules)

When choosing your activated carbon for oral consumption, ideally opt for a product whose activation has created an ultra-fine network of pores, giving it a large adsorption surface.

Some may prefer to choose a plant-based (and therefore vegan) activated charcoal, formulated without nanoparticles or controversial excipients (this is the case with Charcoal).

Taking activated charcoal at the right time

It's important to know that activated charcoal doesn't really differentiate between the various molecules it attracts.

This means it helps to eliminate both the bad and the good.

So, to maximise its benefits without creating health risks, you should take care to:

• Take activated charcoal 2 hours away from meals (either before or after) so that it does not reduce the absorption of nutrients.
• Also take it 2 hours away from medicines and other food supplements, which it would absorb before they had time to enter the bloodstream.
• Drink plenty of fluids, as it also absorbs water molecules, which can lead to dehydrated stools and constipation.
• Don't take excessive doses or take them for too long, and in particular, stick to the daily amount recommended on the product label.
• Seek the advice of your doctor before taking it in certain situations (pregnant women, potential contraindications and drug interactions, transit disorders, etc.).

Is it better to take activated charcoal before going to bed or at another time?

The best time to take activated charcoal depends on your objective.

In the morning and before meals to detoxify

Taking activated charcoal in the morning, on an empty stomach, is a good way to detoxify the body and aid digestion throughout the day.

If you wish to use activated charcoal to absorb toxins and impurities present in the digestive system before a meal, it can be taken 2 hours beforehand.

This cleanses the digestive tract without interfering with the absorption of nutrients from the food to come.

Taken after meals during the day

If you primarily wish to use activated charcoal to combat stomach aches and bloating caused by intestinal gas, the ideal time to take it is 2 hours after a meal.

This will help to limit the build-up of gas in the intestines, which is caused by the fermentation of food.

If gas and other digestive problems occur at any time of the day, you can spread out the doses between the morning and evening, after the 3 main meals.

Should activated charcoal be taken before going to bed?

There is no requirement to take activated charcoal specifically before going to bed, unless your digestive problems occur mainly at night and interfere with your sleep.

If you plan to take activated charcoal 2 hours after your evening meal in any case, it will do the job perfectly well to soothe your digestion and help you get a more comfortable night's sleep.