Some people drink liquid chlorophyll – also known as chlorophyll water – daily for purported health benefits.
Like many trendy health supplements that have come before it, liquid chlorophyll has supporters and detractors.
Some claim the liquid chlorophyll wellness craze improves skin health, helps with weight loss, and detoxifies the body, among other benefits. Others claim liquid chlorophyll has no real scientific evidence and tastes gross.
Does liquid chlorophyll really work? What’s the science behind chlorophyll water? Keep reading to find what science says about one of the newest trends in health and wellness.
Fast Facts About Liquid Chlorophyll
- Liquid chlorophyll has been a growing wellness trend in 2022, fueled by TikTok stars and other social media influencers
- Some claim adding chlorophyll to water helps with skin, weight loss, detoxification, and more
- One company has already trademarked the term Chlorophyll Water and sells a branded version of Chlorophyll Water online
- Most liquid chlorophyll studies are small, and there’s limited largescale evidence proving specific benefits in humans
- However, most studies suggest liquid chlorophyll is safe for humans to take in normal doses with no side effects
What is Liquid Chlorophyll?
Chlorophyll is the natural chemical in plants that makes them green. Plants use chlorophyll to absorb different wavelengths of light.
Liquid chlorophyll is a synthetic version of chlorophyll (i.e. chlorophyll created in a lab) designed to support specific benefits in humans.
This isn’t the first time we’ve seen chlorophyll supplements rise in popularity: over the past decade, we’ve seen chlorophyll gels, tablets, and softgels. Today, liquid chlorophyll seems particularly popular.
To be clear, liquid chlorophyll supplements contain a different type of chlorophyll than what is found in plants. Supplements contain a human-made version of chlorophyll called chlorophyllin. Scientists have re-created chlorophyll in a lab by making minor changes to the natural ingredient.
How Do Liquid Chlorophyll Supplements Work?
Liquid chlorophyll supplements contain chlorophyll in or sodium copper chlorophyllin (SCC), two synthetic versions of chlorophyll. Some research suggests these nature-derived chemicals can support certain benefits.
You take chlorophyll supplements orally, and your body absorbs a certain amount of chlorophyll. Absorption varies depending on whether you’re taking liquid chlorophyll or other chlorophyll supplements.
One of the most promising studies on liquid chlorophyll was published in 2018, when researchers found chlorophyll exhibited anticancer effects against pancreatic cancer cells. Because of that study and others, a trial is underway to see if chlorophyll supplements can help with radiation therapy for pelvic cancer.
A separate study, performed on mice, found liquid chlorophyll could support gut health by balancing bacteria in your gut. Good gut microbiota balance is associated with good immunity and strong overall health.
Chlorophyll has shown some evidence of working when applied topically. A 2014 study, for example, found applying topical chlorophyllin (synthetic chlorophyll) could help support your skin’s natural defense against acne.
Another study, meanwhile, found chlorophyll could protect your body from the effects of carcinogens, or cancer-causing chemicals. However, researchers did not find enough evidence to remove chlorophyll supplementation for anti-cancer effects.
Chlorophyll detractors, meanwhile, point to other studies showing your body only absorbs a small amount of supplemental chlorophyll. This study, for example, found most chlorophyll is excreted via your feces and very little ends up in your bloodstream – even when eating a diet rich in chlorophyll or taking chlorophyll supplements.
Purported Benefits of Chlorophyll Supplements
Liquid chlorophyll and other chlorophyll supplements have surged in popularity. Social media and certain wellness practitioners have promoted the trend with various benefits.
Some of the purported benefits of chlorophyll supplements, according to various dubious claims online, including:
- Clear your skin and help with acne, scarring, rosacea, and other conditions
- Lose weight
- Boost digestion
- Help prevent cancer
- Detoxify your body
- Reduce inflammation, help with mental fog, and support general health and wellness
One writer at The Beet, for example, claims she noticed significant effects within days of drinking chlorophyll water for the first time. She reduced appetite cravings, cleared her skin, improved her digestion, and experienced other effects after taking chlorophyll for one week.
How to Drink Liquid Chlorophyll
On TikTok, Instagram, and other major social media, you can find plenty of influencers drinking weird, green-colored potions daily to support skin health and other benefits.
Most people take liquid chlorophyll by adding a few drops of concentrated liquid chlorophyll to a glass of water or a shake. Then, just drink it daily.
Liquid chlorophyll supplements come in a highly-concentrated liquid. You take 5 to 20 drops of this liquid daily to support the purported benefits (or follow the recommended dosage instructions on your liquid chlorophyll supplement).
Expect an unusual taste with liquid chlorophyll. Some never get used to the taste, while others require a few days to get used to it. Others mask it with strong-tasting shakes or smoothies.
Is Liquid Chlorophyll Safe?
Liquid chlorophyll and other chlorophyll supplements appear to be safe to take. Although evidence for their benefits is mixed, studies have linked liquid chlorophyll to few serious side effects when consumed in normal doses.
According to the FDA, it appears safe for healthy adults to take 100mg to 200mg of chlorophyll per day, and there’s no evidence chlorophyll is toxic. If you exceed the recommended maximum dosage of 200mg per day, however, you could experience side effects like:
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Bloating
- Diarrhea
- Discolored stools
When applied chlorophyll supplements topically (directly to your skin), watch for signs of skin irritation. Some develop rashes or other irritation because of topical chlorophyll creams.
Other Ways to Increase Chlorophyll Intake
You could take a liquid chlorophyll supplement to boost chlorophyll intake. Or, you could eat certain chlorophyll-rich plants and foods.
Some of the best chlorophyll-rich foods include:
- Spinach
- Broccoli
- Arugula
- Green beans
- Collard greens
- Parsley
These plants contain natural, plant-based chlorophyll – not the synthetic, plant-derived formula found in chlorophyll supplements.
Final Word
Liquid chlorophyll, also known as chlorophyll water, is a popular new health trend that surged in popularity in 2022.
There’s some evidence liquid chlorophyll can support overall health and hydration. Studies also suggest chlorophyll is non-toxic and safe for most healthy adults to take. However, we need more research to verify all of the advertised benefits of liquid chlorophyll.
Take a Science Based Nutrition blood test today to spot changes in your blood before symptoms appear. A single test can reveal crucial insight into your health – and determine if liquid chlorophyll is worth it for you.