Break the casserole When it comes to bamboo charcoal products, people are familiar with items like deodorizing packs, formaldehyde-removing charcoal bags, and bamboo charcoal masks that help block dust. However, in recent years, a new product has emerged on the market—bamboo charcoal food. This intriguing development is worth taking a closer look at. Some companies claim that when bamboo charcoal food enters the stomach, it is digested and absorbed by the body, helping to remove toxins from the blood. These claims suggest benefits such as detoxification, weight loss, and even beauty improvements. Such promises have captured the interest of many consumers, leading to a surge in demand for these products. Yet, the scientific evidence supporting these effects remains limited and needs further validation. Online Popularity of Bamboo Charcoal Food A quick search on Taobao reveals a wide variety of bamboo charcoal foods available online. From bamboo charcoal bread and mooncakes to edible bamboo charcoal powder, there's no shortage of options. In fact, over 2,000 sellers offer bamboo charcoal peanuts, with some shops selling more than 10,000 units per month. From customer reviews, it's clear that many people purchase these products for their supposed health benefits. One buyer who tried bamboo charcoal bread said she was curious and wanted to see if it could actually improve her skin. According to her, the bread looked dark but had no special taste or texture when eaten. On a Taobao shop selling edible bamboo charcoal powder, the seller claimed the product is 100% food-grade and safe after high-temperature sterilization. A customer named Zhu Xiaozhu explained that bamboo absorbs minerals like potassium, sodium, calcium, and magnesium during its growth. When processed into charcoal, these minerals can be released into water, turning tap water into alkaline mineral water. This, she said, can be used for cooking or brewing tea, potentially supplementing daily mineral intake. Some merchants go even further, claiming that bamboo charcoal can “purify skin cells,†“shrink pores,†and “whiten acne†when used in skincare. Others say it can be added to flour to make bread or cakes, promising detoxification, relief from diarrhea, and even weight loss. It’s no surprise that such bold claims have led to a booming market for these so-called “specialty†products. Controversy Over Bamboo Charcoal Detox So what exactly is bamboo charcoal? And why do people believe it has detoxifying properties? Bamboo charcoal is made by charring bamboo at high temperatures, resulting in a porous structure that gives it strong adsorption capabilities. This makes it useful for odor removal, air purification, water filtration, and food preservation. In beauty, adding it to bathwater can leave skin feeling soft and smooth, while its ability to emit far-infrared rays also makes it suitable for insulation products. However, nutritionists caution that while bamboo charcoal does contain minerals, it is not a significant source of nutrition. Dr. Jiang Xinyi pointed out that claims about bamboo charcoal being absorbed into the bloodstream to clean toxins lack scientific support. Dr. Jian Gao, a gastroenterologist at Xinhua Hospital, stated that the human body cannot digest or absorb bamboo charcoal effectively, though it may adsorb some toxins in the intestines, with uncertain results. Research conducted by Wang Jianhui and colleagues at Changsha University of Science and Technology showed that activated bamboo charcoal particles can adsorb harmful substances in the digestive systems of rats, reducing intestinal damage and maintaining gut health. However, the activated charcoal used in the study is different from regular bamboo charcoal. Activated carbon has smaller pores and a larger surface area, making it more effective for adsorption. Still, these results were based on animal testing, and their applicability to humans remains unclear. “Bamboo Charcoal Medicine†– A Marketing Hype Many sellers market bamboo charcoal as a form of “Chinese medicine,†claiming it can detoxify and improve complexion. Some even refer to it as “carbon medicine†in traditional Chinese practices. But according to Dr. Cui Jizhou, a TCM physician at Beijing Million Clinic, this is misleading. He clarified that bamboo charcoal is not a recognized TCM ingredient, and “carbon medicine†refers to specific herbal charcoals like rhubarb or ginger charcoal, which have astringent and hemostatic effects. These are very different from bamboo charcoal. Dr. Cui emphasized that traditional Chinese medicine already includes effective detoxifying herbs like rhubarb and pectin. Moreover, he noted that many high-fiber foods naturally aid in detoxification, such as bamboo shoots and leeks. In his view, bamboo charcoal food is more of a marketing gimmick than a genuine health solution. Is Bamboo Charcoal Considered Food? Jiang Xinlu, a food safety expert, stated that there are currently no official food standards for bamboo charcoal. As a result, its use as a food product raises health concerns. She argued that the concept of using bamboo charcoal as food is still unproven and requires further scientific evaluation. To date, bamboo charcoal is not listed in the National Standards for Food Additives and is not officially approved as a food additive. Therefore, its use in products like bread and mooncakes remains controversial and needs more research before it can be considered safe and legitimate. 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