What used to be the rainbow craze has somehow gradually gravitated towards the other end of the spectrum – these days it’s hard to go online without catching a glimpse of another black treat. This month alone we’ve reported on black ice-cream and black lattes – and that’s just the tip of the iceberg. The key ingredient for this latest craze? Activated charcoal.

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While the use of activated charcoal puts some minds at ease that the treats are not simply being loaded with colourants, it has also raised brows and questions, such as, what exactly is activated charcoal? And why is it considered healthy? The first answer is simple; the second, not so much. Activated charcoal, according to an article in Women’s Health, is charcoal that has “been heated at such a high temperature [so] it becomes super porous and absorbent”. This absorbency is meant to rid your body of toxins.

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Medically, activated charcoal is used in the emergency room on patients who have been exposed to certain poisons or who have overdosed on drugs. However, as Consumer Reports notes, the correct treatment – 25 to 30 grams administered intravenously – needs to be given within the hour of being exposed, and drinking it does not necessarily deliver any blood detoxing benefits. So while activated charcoal can be used as a once-off treatment in hospitals, it hasn’t been approved for regular use. In fact, ingesting it regularly could be dangerous.

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Worryingly, some doctors report that activated charcoal can render your prescribed medicine moot. Patricia Raymond, a gastroenterologist, told Women’s Health: “If you’re drinking it and you are also on any meds, even birth control pills, the charcoal is likely to absorb the drugs. So you risk having them become ineffective.” The ingredient could also cause inflammation of the colon and possible lung infection, if any of it gets into your respiratory system.

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We’re not saying you shouldn’t enjoy your favourite goth-themed treat – just don’t make a habit out of it, and make sure to consult a medical professional before starting any diet based on activated charcoal.