No real surprises here, we all know that our favorite sugary drinks are not exactly health potions. But did you know how much more at risk of cancer you are if you drink soda regularly? First of all, soda, including diet soda, has been proven to increase the likelihood of weight gain and obesity, which can then lead to obesity-related cancers, such as kidney and pancreatic cancer.
Secondly, and potentially most concerning, the artificial flavoring 4-methylimidazole (4-MeI) is a known carcinogen present in many sodas. It is a caramel dye used to give darker sodas their color. Evidence of its cancer-causing properties is so strong that the state of California has it listed as an official carcinogen that must be clearly labelled on products. We think this is a good time to consider giving up that daily soda habit!
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.