One of the highest profile casualties of 2018 on the global stage was Aretha Franklin. She was the Queen of Soul, and everybody from Chicago to Calcutta knew her name. A popular choice for Presidential inaugurations, Franklin performed at ceremonies for Barack Obama, Bill Clinton and Jimmy Carter.
Known for timeless classics like "R.E.S.P.E.C.T", and "(You Make Me Feel Like A) Natural Woman", Franklin's incredibly powerful voice was her trademark, and it endured throughout the years. One of the most decorated performers in the history of music, her final prize tally includes eighteen Grammy Awards and three American Music Awards. A first ballot contender for any musical hall of fame, Franklin fell ill in August of this year, and eventually passed away at the age of 76. We'll still be singing her songs many years from now.
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.