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CHARCOAL BEYOND THE COAL POT
- Did you know?
May 03 2024
By Velma N.A. Otchwemah
The purposeful burning of wood results in a black and softer form of the wood, which is charcoal. Experts in the use of charcoal burn specific forms of wood to get the desired type of charcoal. Usually, for the coal pot, the type of wood burned to get charcoal is randomly picked. Activated charcoal is a fine powder derived from purposefully burning bamboo or coconut shells. Charcoal can be used for many other things in the food industry. It goes beyond the coal pot, and this article sheds some light on the functions charcoal can perform other than aiding in cooking with a coal pot.
A reader reached out to us after reading our published write-up, The Top Five Saviours: Remedies for Your Meals Going Wrong. She chipped in her knowledge of charcoal being used to preserve food. That is what inspired this article.
Charcoal burning in a pot
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Some uses of charcoal beyond the coalpot are:
Charcoal can be used to preserve soup and stew
People who live in rural communities have experimented with the use of charcoal and they have proven that charcoal can be used to preserve soup, stew and other forms of sauces. If you suspect your stew is about to go bad, put washed charcoal in your stew and heat it. After doing this, avoid putting any ladle or spoon into the soup. You can put the stew with the charcoal in it in your fridge and it will be well-preserved. A similar thing can be done with soup to avoid waste.
Activated charcoal is 911 for a crisis
Activated charcoal is known for fighting toxins in the body. Toddlers who ingest chemicals are given a large quantity of palm oil to drink so that they are not harmed by the chemicals. Activated charcoal can also be used for a similar situation. However, it takes time to work and may not be as quick as the palm oil trick for toddlers. That is not to say activated charcoal cannot be used in children. The food we consume is not always a hundred percent safe. For this reason, intake is good for detoxification of the body system. For drug overdose, it can be used to neutralise the effect of the drug. Generally, activated charcoal prevents the absorption of toxins into the stomach. Some believe it helps with hangovers.
Does charcoal help your teeth?
A drop of charcoal toothpaste on a toothbrush
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Brushing your teeth with activated charcoal can help you clean your teeth effectively. Read that again...clean your teeth. Rumour has it that activated charcoal whitens the teeth. Per my research that may not entirely be the case. It can help prevent further discolouration but does not necessarily make it white. Confused? Other studies have shown that charcoal can erode the enamel of your teeth. Does charcoal help your teeth, then? In my opinion, it should be used when you want to deep clean your mouth after repenting from bad eating habits. It does not seem like an overdependence on charcoal for your teeth is ideal.
Charcoal goes beyond the coal pot, indeed and that is why it is used for cleaning, preserving and even detoxification. Are there special benefits of charcoal you are aware of? We would be glad to hear them. Thank you for reading!
Disclaimer
The information provided in this article is for educational purposes only and is not intended as a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. It is important to consult with a qualified healthcare professional before using charcoal for any purpose, including as a food preservative or for relieving intoxication. While charcoal has been historically used for various purposes, including in certain medical contexts, its safety and efficacy can vary based on factors such as dosage, individual health conditions, and interactions with other substances. Additionally, the use of charcoal for food preservation or detoxification purposes may not be supported by scientific evidence and could pose risks if not used appropriately. Readers are encouraged to exercise caution and seek guidance from healthcare professionals before incorporating charcoal into their lifestyle or dietary practices. The author and publisher disclaim any liability for any adverse effects or consequences resulting from the use or misuse of information contained in this article.