Australia gets a pretty bad rap for all the dangers lurking there, ready to prey on both tourists and locals, but its neighbor rarely gets a mention. New Zealand is considered the "safe" alternative to Australia - what it lacks in mesmerizing outback, it makes up for with Hobbit hills, waterfalls, and thoroughly harmless wildlife. But that doesn't mean tragedy can't strike over there...
What should have been a scenic balloon flight went horribly wrong for 12 people in the New Zealand town of Carterton, in 2012. Flying way too low, at the moment this photo was snapped the balloon hit high-voltage power lines and killed every soul on board. It may look like some Photoshop magic, but we can assure you that the disastrous effects were all too real.
Over the years, weve seen so many food trends come and go, such as ramen burgers, matcha, and spiked ice-cream. Nowadays, were seeing another trend making waves in the food industry. How many times today have you seen an Instagram photo of a scoop of black ice cream, or a cup of black yogurt, or hamburgers with black buns? Indeed, the charcoal trend has taken the world by storm.
So, what gives your latte that deep black shade? Activated charcoal, or coconut ash, is produced by heating coconut shells to insanely high temperatures until theyre burnt to a crisp. The ashes are then increased in size by steaming at high temperatures. Through this process, the ashes become a strong detoxifier, mostly because they become extra absorbent. This product may be purchased in pill form, and promises to alleviate hangovers, minimize the effects of food poisoning, and fight the visible signs of aging.
Activated charcoal is said to boost ones energy as a result of decreasing toxins in the body. However, no evidence proves that detoxifying can lead to increased energy. Also, while it can help cure a hangover, it doesnt necessarily remove alcohol from your blood. It is also said to aid in debloating your stomach because it cleanses your colon but again, this all anecdotal and isnt supported by scientific evidence as of yet. All we can say for sure is that it is a proven detoxifier.