Many green vegetables contain chlorophyll, and some people use it as a health supplement. Chlorophyll can improve health, increase capacity, and fight illnesses.
In this article, we will look at the potential benefits of chlorophyll and the evidence that supports them. We will also discuss how to take chlorophyll supplements.
What is chlorophyll?
Plants have a pigment called chlorophyll that gives them their green colour. Chlorophyll, along with sunshine, is used by plants to gain nutrients.
One of the most popular ways to get chlorophyll into your diet is to eat green vegetables like alfalfa and spinach. Wheatgrass is high in chlorophyll, and you can purchase it online as a powder, juice, or capsule.
Taking supplements is a popular way to incorporate chlorophyll into one’s diet. These are available as drops, tablets, or capsules. Online, you can buy a variety of chlorophyll supplements.
Chlorophyllin is used in the majority of chlorophyll supplements. Chlorophyllin is a water-soluble derivative of natural chlorophyll that the body may absorb more easily than other chlorophyll types.
The ingredients of supplements containing chlorophyllin may include ‘sodium copper chlorophyllin’ or ‘chlorophyllin copper complex.’
Benefits of chlorophyll
The following are some of the possible benefits of chlorophyll:
1. Topical Application
According to research, when applied topically, chlorophyll can help in wound healing. The use of chlorophyll for its wound-healing properties dates back to studies conducted in the 1950s. Some doctors still recommend chlorophyllin, a topical medication containing chlorophyll that helps promote wound healing and reduces some odors associated with open wounds.
In pilot studies, researchers used topical chlorophyll to reduce acne, with some positive results.
It can work as an anti-aging treatment by reducing the symptoms of photoaging (aging from sun exposure). Other research showed that chlorophyll can be anti-cancer due to its antioxidant properties.
2. Improves Liver Detoxification
The liver’s innate capacity to eliminate toxins and waste from the body is improved by chlorophyll. This is referred to as detoxification. These chlorophyll properties were first discovered in a study on human and rat livers nearly thirty years ago. Chlorophyllin, a copper/sodium salt of chlorophyll, was discovered in this study to combat liver damage.
3. Treats Hemoglobin Deficiencies
Liquid chlorophyll may work as a “blood builder.”This means that it can increase the number and efficiency of red blood cells.
Red blood cells contain a molecule called hemoglobin. It has a chemical structure that is very similar to chlorophyll. Because of its nearly similar chemical makeup, chlorophyll is an effective treatment for patients suffering from hemoglobin deficiencies such as anemia.
A 2016 study that used a form of chlorophyll to treat anemia patients discovered that its use might improve anemia symptoms.
Another study suggests that grass drinks rich in chlorophyll may treat hemoglobin deficiencies due to the chlorophyll’s antioxidant function and its molecular structure, which is similar to red blood cells.
4. Aids in Weight Loss
Several small studies have been carried out to see whether chlorophyll promotes safe weight loss in humans. A 2013 study of overweight women found that taking chlorophyll supplements with a high-carbohydrate meal improved feelings of fullness while regulating hunger hormones. The researchers concluded that supplementing high-carb meals with chlorophyll can reduce weight.
Earlier rat research had a clear impact on food consumption. The 2009 research found that rats reduced their food consumption when given chlorophyll supplements. The researchers concluded that long-term food restriction prevented weight gain.
5. Acne treatment
Topical chlorophyll is useful in the treatment of acne. In one study, a gel containing chlorophyllin helped to minimize facial acne and large, visible pores. The 10 participants in the study had mild to moderate acne and used the chlorophyllin gel for three weeks.
In another study, researchers compared acne treatment with a combination of topical chlorophyll and phototherapy to phototherapy alone. People who got the combination had fewer acne lesions, less severe acne, and less oily skin than those who didn’t. However, the 24 participants were of Asian descent and had darker skin tones. So, the results might not be relevant to everyone.
6. A natural deodorant
Although chlorophyllin has neutralized such odors since the 1940s, studies are outdated and show mixed results.
The most recent study of people with trimethylaminuria, a condition that produces a fishy odor, found that chlorophyllin reduced the number of trimethylamines significantly.
There is no evidence to support claims that chlorophyllin reduces bad breath.
7. Cancer treatment
In animal studies, chlorophyll showed potential as a cancer treatment:
- According to a 2015 study, chlorophyllin can help prevent and slow cancer development.
- A 2005 study showed that natural chlorophyll decreased the risk of colon cancer in rats. The rats ate a diet high in red meat and low in green vegetables, both of which have been linked to an increased risk of colon cancer. The authors, however, did not identify the same results with chlorophyllin.
- In 2016, researchers found that chlorophyllin slowed the development of lung cancer in mice.
Uses
Experts and dietitians agree that it’s not a poor idea for most of us to have chlorophyll-rich vegetables in our diets. Chlorophyll levels are also high in dark-green leafy vegetables.
Of course, consult with your doctor or a healthcare professional before drastically changing your diet or adding supplements.
Vegetables high in chlorophyll include:
- Parsley
- Alfalfa
- Arugula
- Wheatgrass
- Seaweed
- Spirulina
- Spinach
- Collard Greens
- Broccoli
- Asparagus
- Matcha is a powdered green tea that comes in a variety of flavors.
Not a huge fan of vegetables, but want to make sure you’re getting naturally enough occurring chlorophyll in your diet? Other foods high in chlorophyll include pistachios, hemp seeds, parsley, basil, and cilantro. You can also use some fruits, such as green apples, kiwi, and green grapes.
Remember that doing a juice cleanse (consuming pressed vegetable juices) or juicing at home will likely increase your chlorophyll intake.
Supplements
Taking a chlorophyll supplement in tablet, capsule, or liquid droplet form is another way to get more substance. Greens powder, green tea, wheatgrass, spirulina, barley grass, chlorella, and blue-green algae are examples of chlorophyll-containing nutritional supplements.
It’s also become common in what’s known as a “wheatgrass shot,” which is high in chlorophyll and can be found at juice bars and other health food stores. Wheatgrass’s detoxifying properties are supported by chlorophyll, amino acids, vitamins, minerals, and enzymes.
Risks
It is important to remember that ingesting liquid chlorophyll can cause some mild side effects. The following are some of the side effects:
- Nausea
- Gastrointestinal cramping
- Diarrhea
- Discolored (usually green) stools
- Vomiting
Remember that the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in the United States does not regulate or recommend a daily allowance for chlorophyll supplements. Chlorophyll has the potential to be toxic if consumed in large amounts.
You should also consult your doctor if you are taking any prescription medications, as chlorophyll supplements can interfere with some of them, especially those that cause photosensitivity (increased sensitivity to the sun).
The Bottom Line
There are many potential health benefits of chlorophyll. But the evidence for most of these is insufficient, and we need more study.
Some people may find that increasing their chlorophyll intake or taking supplements improves their mood or helps treat medical conditions like anemia.
Before taking some health supplements, including chlorophyll, consult your doctor.
