Activated charcoal has been used, in one way or another, since the time of the Pharaohs in Ancient Egypt. In its – relatively - recent history, the anti-fungal and anti-bacterial properties have been re-appropriated for human benefit such as providing relief from bloating. The relief experienced is associated with the adsorbance of gas in the intestine, which is typically a metabolic byproduct from the flora and fauna which are present in our digestive system
 
For over 150 years, we at JL Bragg have been supplying pharmaceutical grade activated charcoal fit for human consumption. So what does it do?
 
Activated charcoal is not something you’d use on the barbeque. For a start, activated charcoal  does not burn as it contains no organic matter. Natural charcoal and coal do contain high levels of organic matter, some of the organic compounds being harmful.  These harmful substances are not present in activated charcoal which is why it is important to always use pharmaceutical grade activated charcoal like Braggs Originals.
 
J L Bragg is the only licensed manufacturer of medicinal charcoal products in the UK. Our pharmaceutical grade activated charcoal tablets are approved by the Medicines and Healthcare Regulatory Authority as an over-the-counter medication that absorbs gas in the digestive system to help reduce symptoms of bloating.
 
The reason our tablets can do this is due to the large surface area of activated charcoal (a honeycomb lattice structure is created during its purification process). The lattice structure is what helps activated charcoal to absorb the gas in the digestive system.
 
A bit more info on our activated charcoal:
 
·      Our activated charcoal is created by being processed under high temperatures (up to 1000^oC);
·      We use coconut shells which have been purified for use as a pharmaceutical active ingredient;
·      Purified water at high temperatures produces steam which activates the charcoal and purifies it.
·      The end product is pure activated carbon, also known as medicinal charcoal or activated charcoal;
·      Commercial forms of charcoal or activated charcoal which are not approved for pharmaceutical applications may contain byproducts which could cause harm.
 
Bragg’s customers have often reported relief of symptoms with the use of our pharmaceutical grade activated charcoal. Read their testimonials here (http://www.charcoal.uk.com/g/49376/testimonials.html) before trying it out for yourself.
 
Five Steps to a Flat Stomach
 
Charcoal tablets can help beat the bloat by soaking up gases, small particles of toxins and bacteria found in the large intestine that can lead to bloating, as this newspaper article explains.
 
The Medical Guide to a flat stomach
 
The Daily Mail health section discusses the benefits of Activated Charcoal which, taken in tablet form, may help if bloating is caused by excess gas. This is because the carbon in charcoal absorbs gases such as methane and nitrogen before transporting them through the intestinal tract.