Everything you need to know about charcoal (the supposed wellness wonder)

Since wellness bloggers started promoting activated charcoal for everything from teeth whitening to detoxing, some people have actively been charring their barbecued steak in the hope of a pearlier smile and a healthier body.

But what they probably don't realise is that the chargrilled bits on steak aren't actually the same as activated charcoal, which is made by a manufacturing process that heats charcoal with gas to increase the surface area and allow it to grow "pores".

These pores are great at absorbing things, so the idea is that applying it to your teeth it will suck off stains and consuming it will draw toxins from your digestive tract.

According to Pure Eden, who make activated charcoal, it can be used for everything from curing a hangover to candida to treating bites and stings to upset stomachs.

"It purifies the six to eight litres of digestive fluids that are secreted daily. This in turn helps to remove foreign substances from the blood," according to Pure Eden's website.

The idea is that charcoal can't be digested, so it will suck up bad bits and carry them out of the body.

Doctors use activated charcoal for the emergency treatment of certain cases of poisoning to prevent the poison being absorbed by the stomach, but the US National Library of Medicine suggests only taking it under careful medical supervision, and they say it doesn't work for relieving diarrhoea or reducing gas.

Dentists aren't so convinced of the supposed teeth whitening benefits either.

"Charcoal is an abrasive material which would remove external stains only, similar to brushing your teeth with chalk or sodium bicarb," the Australian Dental Association told Coach.

"Unfortunately it will also remove the protective enamel coating on your teeth, causing irreversible damage."

They advise seeing a dentist for a custom bleaching job for quicker and better results.

Some studies have also suggested that charred meat could increase your risk of bowel cancer, so it's best not to blacken your sausages.