When you picture famous musicians backstage just before a performance, what do you imagine them to be doing? Are there lavish amounts of booze and other party treats everywhere? Groupies and hangers on hanging off every arm and chair? Sunglasses protecting eyes from the smoke that drifts across the place? Or are there just two very polite looking men reading National Geographic?
If you went with the second options, chances are you were thinking of ABBA. We don't know where their famous wives have gone, but Benny Andersson and Bjorn Ulvaeus seem to be passing the time with some reading material, seen here in Copenhagen in 1975. Although it's equally possible that Andersson is desperate for anything to look at other than that crazy sweater Ulvaeus is wearing. Seriously, what's going on with that?
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.