Drinking activated charcoal juice is one of the latest cleansing diet trends sweeping the nation. Here's what you need to know.

Activated Charcoal Juice is currently a thing among trendy cleansing dieters. It's actually a juice mixed in with real charcoal, which has been "activated."

Activated is a status that means the charcoal, which is a food-grade carbon, is heated up until it grows and expands. It has pores and a negative charge and together it traps toxins and gases when taken in the body, which is how the "cleanse" and detox works.

A lot of people swear by it, including bloggers, celebrities and even regular people. Popular juice companies like the popular NYC chain Juice Generation, LuliTonix and Juice Served Here are known for serving the alkalizing juice that's made from green juice, lemonade and added with regular juice ingredients like lemon zest, veggies or fruits.

The activated charcoal juice is being peddled to achieve glowing skin, improved digestion, better breath or as a hangover cure.

Charcoal is originally used in emergency rooms to treat drug overdoses or poisoning, which is why juice companies are joining the trend because of its benefits.

"If you accidentally consume something that you're sensitive to, like gluten or dairy, having activated charcoal right away may help absorb those things before the body does," LA Nutritionist Heather Wilson said. "Think of activated charcoal like a sponge. It doesn't know the difference between nutrients or toxins. "If you take medication, supplements, or a pain reliever, the charcoal could absorb that, too."

There were also skeptics that don't believe in the ability of activated charcoal for anything other than poisoning as there is no scientific study or evidence.

"The problem with charcoal is that it's non-specific. It'll bind to anything it finds adsorbable," said Dr. Kent Olson, medical director of the San Francisco Poison Control System and clinical professor of medicine and pharmacy at the University of California, San Francisco.

He adds that it could also include good substances in the body. When you're eating something healthy like vegetables, you may also be "detoxifying" your body with the vitamins and nutrients.

"Remember that might include vitamins and amino acids and other things you actually need in your diet," he explained.

Another expert says that drinking activated charcoal is safe but wouldn't recommend taking it daily.

"Most people are going to be quite capable of eliminating toxins on their own," said Dr. Jeffrey A. Morrison.

It may also interfere with medications that you might be taking. However, having it after a night of drinking or eating too much fried food may help.

Related