Kim Kardashian has given fans a glimpse into her morning routine by sharing a snap of her new favourite health drink, which is made with an unusual ingredient. The reality star and business mogul posted an image to her Instagram this week showing a cup of grey tea that has been made with charcoal.
The 42-year-old enjoys a cup of the charcoal tea as it is said to boast several health benefits. Users of the ingredient claim it can be used as part of a detox, as it is said to be able to absorb chemicals and toxins and thereby reduce their absorption in the body.
The drink is made using activated charcoal, which usually comes in powder form and so can be added to a range of hot and cold beverages including tea and smoothies. Kim’s sister Kourtney has even shared a recipe for a charcoal latte on her lifestyle website Poosh.
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According to the site, Kourtney is “a longtime lover of charcoal” as it can relieve gas and bloating, and also binds to toxins for deep cleansing and elimination. Speaking to Yahoo regarding charcoal’s benefits, Hannah Macey, lead nutritionist at Feel Complete, said: “Active charcoal acts like a binder, so it essentially acts as a sponge, soaking up different chemicals from within the body and on the skin.
“It has been used to support the recovery of people who have been tested for certain toxins such as mould. When the correct dosage is given by a professional it can bind to the drugs and poisons, and reduce how much is absorbed in the gut”.
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However, despite the Keeping Up with the Kardashian stars swearing by the grey coloured drinks, scientists and nutritionists have their doubts about its true benefits. Macey advised against drinking charcoal tea as there has not been enough scientific research to support the claims associated with it – and she is not the only one.
In 2017, British Dietetic Association (BDA) spokesperson and dietitian Michelle McGuinness told Metro these trendy charcoal drinks are “another example of the unnecessary detoxing trend”. Discussing charcoal lattes in particular, she said that while activated charcoal can play “a significant role in the treatment of drug overdose and poisoning, by binding to the chemical and removing these from the gut,” it is also “non-discriminative and therefore can remove beneficial nutrients or even medications.”
She warned that anyone taking medication should avoid consuming activated charcoal, which includes drinks made with the ingredient. She added: “Evidence for the benefits of activated charcoal is not substantial, and the negative effects could be detrimental to health and wellbeing.
“But more so the process of detoxing like this is not necessary for optimum health, we have well equipped kidneys and liver which do this for us.”
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