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Liquid Chlorophyll & Chlorophyll Water: Does It Really Work?

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.

Top 5 Natural Supplement Trends Predicted to Skyrocket in 2023

Each year, researchers discover exciting new benefits of plants, herbs, and fruits from around the world.

Acai berry surged in popularity 20 years ago because of a handful of reports linking it to weight loss. Garcinia cambogia and turmeric experienced similarly meteoric rises to fame.

What will be the acai berry of 2023? What are the best 5 natural supplements that could explode in 2023? Here are some of the most exciting fruits, plants, herbs, nutrients, vitamins, minerals, and more linked to growing benefits in multiple studies.

1) Irish Moss

Multiple types of seaweed and algae supplements have surged in popularity over the last decade. One type of seaweed called Irish moss could become particularly popular in 2023 and beyond.

After receiving a recent public endorsement from Kim Kardashian, Irish moss could be entering its heyday.

Irish moss is also known as Chondrus crispus or carrageen moss (derived from the Irish word carraigín, which means “little rock.”

Irish moss is a type of red algae that grows throughout the Atlantic coast of Europe and North America. Despite the name, it’s found in more than just Ireland. In fact, some people refer to the compound as Scotch moss.

Studies show Irish moss is rich with plant-based antioxidants, phytonutrients, and trace minerals capable of supporting a range of effects. Kim Kardashian claims to drink it in her smoothies.

We’re not the first to discover the benefits of Irish moss: studies show traditional Chinese medicine practitioners have used sea moss as far back at 600 BC. In fact, the people of the British Isles used sea moss as a food source for thousands of years, and it was a crucial nutrition source during the Great Famine in the mid-19th century in Ireland (which is why it’s most commonly known as Irish moss today).

We need more research to verify the effects of Irish moss, but with growing celebrity endorsements and multiple affordable supplements available online, Irish moss could be one of the hottest supplement trends of 2023 and beyond.

2) Mushroom Supplements

Like seaweed and algae, mushrooms have surged in popularity over the last few years. Studies show mushrooms are rich with plant-based antioxidants, beta glucans, vitamins, minerals, and more.

Some mushrooms appear to support immunity and immune health, helping your body defend against disease and illness. Other mushrooms can support anti-aging benefits, energy, or even sexual health, among other benefits.

Some supplement companies add a blend of mushrooms to their supplement to support a range of benefits. Others use specific varieties of mushroom.

Some of the most science-backed mushrooms that could continue to explode in popularity in 2023 include:

  • Turkey tail
  • Reishi
  • Lion’s mane
  • Chaga
  • Maitake
  • Shiitake

These mushrooms may be new to us, but they’ve been popular for centuries in certain types of medicine. Traditional Chinese medicine practitioners, for example, have regularly used mushroom extract to support immunity and various health goals.

One recent UCLA Health study found turkey tail mushrooms act as immune modulators, for example, helping the immune system function more efficiently. Another study connected lion’s mane mushroom to neurotrophic properties, suggesting it can help with brain performance, memory, and overall oxidative stress and inflammation in the brain, among other benefits.

For all of these reasons and more, mushroom extracts are expected to become increasingly mainstream in 2023 and beyond.

3) Beetroot Powder

We’ve known about the health supporting benefits of beetroot powder for years, but 2023 could be the year the world starts to recognize the true value of beetroot powder for cardiovascular health, blood flow, and overall wellness.

One recent study published in Nutrients found red beetroot increased nitric oxide (NO) availability, which could help with blood flow. As you get older, your NO levels tend to naturally decline, leading to poor cardiovascular health. Many people take beet supplements daily to counteract this effect and support NO levels.

Another study linked beetroot to the management of cardio-metabolic diseases, significant positive changes in systolic and diastolic blood pressure, and decreased blood glucose, among other benefits.

Another perk of beetroot powder is its relatively cheap price: beets are affordable and easy to condense into supplement form, making the powder accessible to anyone who wants it.

4) All Types of Gummies

Gummies used to be considered candy for kids. Today, gummies are one of the most popular – and fastest growing – areas of the supplement industry.

Supplement gummies with science-backed natural ingredients are expected to continue surging in popularity in 2023 and beyond.

Some of the most popular types of supplements and gummies available today include:

  • Melatonin gummies
  • Ashwagandha gummies
  • Mushroom gummies
  • Daily green and red superfood gummies
  • CBD, CBN, and THC gummies

Studies show your body can absorb the active ingredients in gummies similar to how it would absorb other ingredients. In fact, a 2019 study found vitamin D gummies “had greater bioavailability than tablets” and provided high vitamin D concentration in the body over time.

As long as gummies contain science-backed ingredients with minimal artificial fillers, flavors, sweeteners, and additives, they can continue to be an option for anyone searching for health supporting supplements.

5) Collagen

Collagen has been one of the fastest growing supplement trends of the last few years, and that trend is expected to continue growing in 2023 and beyond.

Some of the reasons collagen continues to surge in popularity include:

  • A 2019 study found collagen supplementation improved skin hydration, elasticity, roughness, and density in a double-blind, placebo-controlled setting, with participants experiencing significant anti-aging effects.
  • In a comprehensive review on collagen and its benefits, researchers found collagen played a crucial role in skin regeneration, bone health, wound healing, oral health, osteoporosis, and rheumatoid arthritis, among other areas of the body.
  • Your body’s collagen production naturally declines with age, and your body has significantly less available collagen as you get older. This can lead to visible effects of aging, including drooping skin, wrinkles, and reduced smoothness and elasticity. A collagen supplement could help.

The best collagen supplements contain collagen with minimal filler ingredients. Collagen is the most abundant connective protein in the human body, and taking 5g to 15g of collagen per day is linked to anti-aging support, muscle development, and more.

Honorable Mentions

Every year, supplement companies introduce dozens of new supplements to the market.

Some are refreshed versions of old ingredients. Others are previously undiscovered ingredients used only in obscure, regional, traditional medicine.

Here are some of the honorable mentions of supplement trends and natural ingredients that could skyrocket in popularity in 2023 and beyond:

  • Pine needle tree
  • Mullein leaf
  • Bakuchiol and the babchi plant
  • Citrus bergamot
  • Snail mucin
  • Beef liver capsules

Whether trying to support immunity, health, weight loss, muscle growth, or other targeted benefits, the supplement ingredients above could surge in popularity in 2023 – or they could fizzle out and disappear.

Which new supplements work best for you? A Science Nutrition Lab test can answer that question!

Order a Science Based Nutrition test from Science Nutrition Lab today to get detailed insight into your physiology and ensure you’re taking the best supplements for your unique needs.

 

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