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Should You Take Activated Charcoal for a Stomach Bug? Here's What an MD Says
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Updated on July 8, 2024
Having a stomach bug can be debilitating. On top of frequent trips to the bathroom, you’re being ambushed by fever symptoms, body aches, and a splitting headache. While recovery time can be as quick as 1-3 days, sometimes a pesky upset stomach bug can hang on for more. So what can you do to get back on your feet?
In addition to eating mild foods and drinking enough water, activated charcoal may help detox your body and provide relief from symptoms like gas, bloating, and diarrhea.
In this article, we look into the science behind how activated charcoal works and whether or not it’s an effective remedy for stomach bugs.
What Causes a Stomach Bug?
Gastroenteritis—more commonly referred to as a stomach bug—is typically caused by either food poisoning (a bacteria) or a virus.
Food Poisoning Can Cause a Stomach Bug
According to the CDC, 1 in 6 Americans (48 million people) suffer from food poisoning annually (1).
Common causes of food poisoning include the bacteria Campylobacter, listeria, E. coli, and salmonella (2). This bacteria is often found in the following:
- Raw, undercooked, or contaminated meat/fish
- Undercooked rice
- Contaminated water
- Unpasteurized products
- Fruits or vegetables that aren’t cleaned thoroughly
The symptoms of food poisoning usually begin within 1 to 2 days of eating contaminated food. But they can also start a few hours later or several weeks later.
Viruses Can Cause a Stomach Bug
Viruses such as norovirus, adenovirus, and rotavirus are highly contagious. The norovirus is the most common, affecting up to 21 million people in the U.S. annually (3). A stomach virus is typically spread by coming into direct contact with someone sick. These viruses can also be transmitted by touching an infected person’s saliva, stool, or vomit.
How Does Activated Charcoal Alleviate Stomach Bug Symptoms?
Activated charcoal works by adsorbing particles, meaning it acts like a magnet, attracting and grabbing onto them. This is different from absorbing where particles merge and become one.
For stomach bugs, the theory is that when a bacteria, virus, or toxin comes into contact with activated charcoal, it binds to the charcoal’s porous surface. This prevents the toxin from being absorbed into your body. And since activated charcoal isn’t digestible, it goes directly to your colon where it’s eliminated in the stool (along with the harmful bacteria, viruses, and toxins that are attached to it).
Dr. Ashley Maltz, an Integrative Medicine Physician at West Holistic Medicine, adds, “Activated charcoal can be particularly helpful if you’re experiencing diarrhea, gas, and/or bloating from a stomach bug.”
Research confirms this. Two different studies compared antimicrobials and activated charcoal for treating stomach bugs. Surprisingly, activated charcoal was the better treatment option—thanks to its powerful adsorption qualities (4, 5).
In addition to binding to toxins, activated charcoal can also bind to the gas that causes bloating and abdominal cramps (6). This has become one of the main reasons Dr. Maltz recommends activated charcoal to her patients. She elaborates, “I find it particularly helpful for my patients that experience "trapped gas"...the uncomfortable pockets of gas that get stuck in your digestive system.”
Lastly, studies have suggested that charcoal may be a useful antidiarrheal treatment, but more research is still needed (7).
How Much Activated Charcoal Should I Take for a Stomach Bug?
Activated charcoal comes in powder, pill, or liquid form. There’s no set dosage for how much you should take at once, so it’s best to consult with your doctor before taking it.
Some factors to consider when taking activated charcoal include age, weight, the number of doses taken per day, the length of time it’s being taken, and the strength of the dosage.
Dr. Maltz recommends the following activated charcoal dosages:
Children Less Than 1 Year of Age
- Use is not recommended.
Children Up to 12 Years of Age
- At first, the dose should be 10 to 25 grams.
- Then the dose is based on body weight. It’s usually 1 to 2 grams per kg (0.45 to 0.91 grams per pound) of body weight given every two to four hours.
Adults and Teenagers
- At first, the dose should be 50 to 100 grams.
- Then the dose may be 12.5 grams given every hour, 25 grams given every two hours, or 50 grams given every four hours.
If symptoms worsen, or you develop a fever or other reaction, stop taking activated charcoal and call your doctor immediately.
Native Note: If taking a charcoal powder, each dose should be mixed with water. If supplementing with a charcoal capsule, take the capsule(s) alongside a full glass of water.
Are There Any Side Effects of Activated Charcoal?
It’s possible that one may experience side effects from taking activated charcoal. Here are the side effects that have been reported thus far:
- Constipation
- Interference with medications
- Dehydration
- Black stools
- Electrolyte imbalance
- Nausea and vomiting
Native Note: To avoid the first two side effects listed (constipation and interference with medications), the following is recommended:
- To alleviate feelings of constipation, drink plenty of water while consuming activated charcoal.
- To decrease the risk of activated charcoal interfering with your other supplements or medications, do not take said supplements/medications and activated charcoal within two hours of each other. In addition to this, consult with your healthcare provider before taking activated charcoal.
Article by
Kat Kennedy
Article by
Kat Kennedy
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Medical Disclaimer
This content is for informational and educational purposes only. It is not intended to provide medical advice or to take the place of such advice or treatment from a personal physician. All readers/viewers of this content are advised to consult their doctors or qualified health professionals regarding specific health questions. Neither Dr. Chad Walding nor the publisher of this content takes responsibility for possible health consequences of any person or persons reading or following the information in this educational content. All viewers of this content, especially those taking prescription or over-the-counter medications, should consult their physicians before beginning any nutrition, supplement, or lifestyle program.
