Recent press articles have raised concerns about the use of activated charcoal with prescribed medication. This is something JL Bragg’s is fully aware of and we always recommend taking medical advice.    We also offer full support to customers who may be concerned about using their charcoal tablets, powder or capsules alongside other medicines and are always happy to respond to queries.    Whilst there are many health benefits to taking activated charcoal there are times when it should be avoided so that it does not have an impact on the effectiveness of other products or medications. Activated charcoal is a powerful non specific adsorbent that can be used to treat mild digestive disorders. However, it can also adsorb prescribed medications and this is something we have always been keen to make our customers aware of.   We do not advise taking activated charcoal at the same time as prescribed medication. If you have been prescribed treatment for a medical condition it is advisable to stop taking or avoid taking activated charcoal products at the same time, unless you have received medical advice to confirm that it is safe to use activated charcoal with prescribed medication.   Many drugs are life saving and, if removed from the system by activated charcoal, this can have a significant impact on health.      If you are taking prescribed medications we suggest taking medical advise from your GP or Pharmacist before taking activated charcoal. You can also contact us here at JL Bragg by using the contact form on our website. Our medical adviser will respond to any queries or concerns you may have about the use of our charcoal tablets, powder and capsules alongside other products or medications.   

Here at Bragg’, as the UK’s only licensed medicinal charcoal manufacturer, we are always keen to innovate and respond to customer demands.    We are very proud to have launched our popular charcoal capsules in vegan capsule shells.    The new product is easy to spot as we have designed bright new green packaging which highlights all the benefits of our charcoal and the fact that these capsules are vegetarian and vegan friendly.    The capsules can be ordered from our own website and are also available on Amazon in various pack sizes.    We hope you enjoy this latest product in our range, which has been manufactured by us to our usual high quality standards. 

Activated charcoal is a powerful non specific adsorbent that can be used to treat mild digestive disorders. However, it can also adsorb prescribed medications and this is something we are very keen to make our customers aware of.   We do not advise taking activated charcoal at the same time as prescribed medication. If you have been prescribed treatment for a medical condition it is advisable to stop taking or avoid taking activated charcoal products at the same time, unless you have received medical advice to confirm that it is safe to use activated charcoal with prescribed medication.   Many drugs are life saving and, if removed from the system by activated charcoal, this can have a significant impact on health.     Raising awareness of the risks   We are keen to raise awareness of this issue with our customers for their own health and wellbeing. Whilst there are many health benefits to taking activated charcoal there are times when it should be avoided so that it does not have an impact on the effectiveness of other products or medications.   What should I do if I’m unsure?   If you are taking prescribed medications we suggest taking medical advise from your GP or Pharmacist before taking activated charcoal. You can also contact us here at JL Bragg by using the contact form on our website. Our medical adviser will respond to any queries or concerns you may have about the use of our charcoal tablets, powder and capsules alongside other products or medications. 

Charcoal pizza is one of the latest food trends to hit the UK but far from being an over baked version of this Italian favourite, this popular new dish uses activated charcoal as its secret ingredient.   As the only manufacturer of activated charcoal that has been licensed as a pharmaceutical we are regularly approached by food manufacturers to supply them with food grade charcoal to use as an ingredient. Pizza is one of the latest products to use our activated charcoal.   Our activated charcoal is very different from the type of carbon that would be created if the food had been overcooked or burnt. Charcoal created by burning food or wood is harmful if eaten whereas activated charcoal is pure and safe to use as a food ingredient.   What’s the difference between burnt food and food with added activated charcoal?   Burnt food, or any burnt organic matter, can contain high levels of toxins that are harmful to health. There has been a lot of media coverage of the health risks associated with eating burnt food and it is important to recognise that this form of carbon is very different to the activated carbon or charcoal used in food products.   Activated charcoal (carbon) is processed at temperatures of up to 1000 degrees C using purified steam to remove contaminants. This results in a product known as activated charcoal or medicinal charcoal, which is safe to ingest, has a large porous surface area and actually absorbs toxins and carries them out of the body.   We are proud to have supplied our customers for many years with activated medicinal charcoal to treat the symptoms of digestive disorders. Customers regularly report that they have felt the benefit of charcoal, whether as a treatment or as a preventative medicine. The fact that our activated charcoal is a licensed pharmaceutical demonstrates that it meets very high standards of quality and regulation. Click here to find out more about the health benefits of charcoal.  

Activated charcoal has been used, in one way or another, since the time of the Pharaohs in Ancient Egypt. In its – relatively - recent history, the anti-fungal and anti-bacterial properties have been re-appropriated for human benefit such as providing relief from bloating. The relief experienced is associated with the adsorbance of gas in the intestine, which is typically a metabolic byproduct from the flora and fauna which are present in our digestive system   For over 150 years, we at JL Bragg have been supplying pharmaceutical grade activated charcoal fit for human consumption. So what does it do?   Activated charcoal is not something you’d use on the barbeque. For a start, activated charcoal  does not burn as it contains no organic matter. Natural charcoal and coal do contain high levels of organic matter, some of the organic compounds being harmful.  These harmful substances are not present in activated charcoal which is why it is important to always use pharmaceutical grade activated charcoal like Braggs Originals.   J L Bragg is the only licensed manufacturer of medicinal charcoal products in the UK. Our pharmaceutical grade activated charcoal tablets are approved by the Medicines and Healthcare Regulatory Authority as an over-the-counter medication that absorbs gas in the digestive system to help reduce symptoms of bloating.   The reason our tablets can do this is due to the large surface area of activated charcoal (a honeycomb lattice structure is created during its purification process). The lattice structure is what helps activated charcoal to absorb the gas in the digestive system.   A bit more info on our activated charcoal:   ·      Our activated charcoal is created by being processed under high temperatures (up to 1000oC); ·      We use coconut shells which have been purified for use as a pharmaceutical active ingredient; ·      Purified water at high temperatures produces steam which activates the charcoal and purifies it. ·      The end product is pure activated carbon, also known as medicinal charcoal or activated charcoal; ·      Commercial forms of charcoal or activated charcoal which are not approved for pharmaceutical applications may contain byproducts which could cause harm.   Bragg’s customers have often reported relief of symptoms with the use of our pharmaceutical grade activated charcoal. Read their testimonials here (http://www.charcoal.uk.com/g/49376/testimonials.html) before trying it out for yourself.   Five Steps to a Flat Stomach   Charcoal tablets can help beat the bloat by soaking up gases, small particles of toxins and bacteria found in the large intestine that can lead to bloating, as this newspaper article explains.   The Medical Guide to a flat stomach   The Daily Mail health section discusses the benefits of Activated Charcoal which, taken in tablet form, may help if bloating is caused by excess gas. This is because the carbon in charcoal absorbs gases such as methane and nitrogen before transporting them through the intestinal tract.  

A new study could pave the way for the use of activated charcoal in the treatment of Colitis, Crohn’s disease and  Inflammatory Bowel Disorder.    The recently published research (Afrin MR, et al. Int Immunopharmacol*) looked at the impact of Le Carbonne charcoal supplements, a French product similar to UK manufactured Bragg’s medicinal charcoal, on inflammation of the intestines in mice.    The two main forms of Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) are ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s disease. Ulcerative colitis causes inflammation and ulceration of the inner lining of the rectum and colon. Crohn's can affect any part of the gut causing inflammation.    Bragg’s customers have often reported relief of symptoms with the use of our pharmaceutical grade activated charcoal so we were particularly interested to read about this latest study.    Previous studies have supported the beneficial effects of activated charcoal on stomach disorders, indigestion and diarrhoea but this is the first time research has looked specifically at its effect on inflammation and disease progression in colitis.    The study found that activated charcoal treatment resulted in a  significantly reduction in loss of body weight, shortening of the colon, histopathologic changes and disease activity index. The results of the study demonstrate the capability of activated charcoal to reduce inflammation in the colon.    This new evidence has the potential to open the door to new treatments for Inflammatory Bowel Disease.    *Int Immunopharmacol. 2017 Feb;43:70-78. doi: 10.1016/j.intimp.2016.10.023. Epub 2016 Dec 12.

Here at Bragg’s we’ve been working with food manufacturers for some time, supplying food grade charcoal for all sorts of products from fancy bread to dainty macaroons. Now the use of charcoal as a healthy food ingredient is really catching on and food manufacturing is becoming a key market for us. So far our charcoal has been used in noodles, black brioche buns for top restaurants, charcoal ice cream, pizza bases, health drinks and much more.   Charcoal Lattes   One of the latest fashionable health food trends is the Charcoal Latte.  Adding charcoal to hot milk or your usual cup of coffee can create a soothing drink.   Using the right kind of charcoal   Although there are plenty of charcoal products on the market, none of the others are licensed pharmaceuticals, even though some claim to be. Bragg’s is the only company in the UK that is licensed to manufacture medicinal activated charcoal.   There are imitations on the high street but as the only company using pharmaceutical grade charcoal we can guarantee that ours is genuine and 100% natural.   Our status as the UK’s only licensed manufacturer of medicinal charcoal means food ingredients companies turn to us when they want to incorporate charcoal in their products.  Food standards are so rigorous that we are the only manufacturer that can supply a product that meets all the regulations for human consumption.   Why add charcoal to food and drink?   As well as aiding digestion, activated charcoal is used for purification and is commonly used to remove toxins from drinking water.   Activated charcoal is trusted worldwide for its many health benefits. We have been producing charcoal products for nearly 170  years and we have many happy customers who have experienced relief from digestive and other health complaints such as dyspepsia, heartburn and stomach upsets. We also have loyal customers overseas.   Medicinal charcoal is commonly used as a digestive treatment because of its ability to absorb chemical substances  and gases in the intestine and carry them harmlessly through the body.   Food manufacturers are now incorporating it into all sorts of recipes because of its health benefits but they are also attracted by the unusual colour and texture it can give breads and other products.