Liquid chlorophyll, for example, is a popular supplement that detoxes the body, strengthens the immune system, boosts energy, and more. While there may indeed be some health benefits of chlorophyll, research is lacking.
This article discusses chlorophyll, its potential health benefits, and how to get more chlorophyll in your diet. It also covers chlorophyll supplements and their potential side effects.
What Does Chlorophyll Do for the Body?
Chlorophyll has many suggested health benefits in humans. In particular, it is considered a powerful antioxidant and may help prevent damage to cells that cause them to age prematurely.
Some experts have also suggested that chlorophyll may help treat skin conditions, reduce body odor, and even prevent certain types of cancers.
Chlorophyll is also sometimes used for the treatment or prevention of:
ArthritisChronic fatigueConstipationFibromyalgiaLiver toxicityObesityOral thrush (a yeast infection in the mouth)Vaginal yeast infection
However, to date, there is little evidence supporting these and other health claims.
Red Blood Cell Counts
Some researchers have dubbed liquid chlorophyll a “blood builder,” suggesting that it can increase the number of red blood cells and/or improve their quality. This is based on the fact that chlorophyll is chemically similar to hemoglobin, the protein in red blood cells that carries oxygen throughout the body.
A 2016 study involving 72 people on hemodialysis concluded that participants given liquid chlorophyll two to three times daily for three weeks had better red blood cell counts than those given a placebo (sham treatment). It is thought that chlorophyll may help reduce the risk of anemia—a lack of healthy red blood cells—common among people on dialysis.
Liver Health
It has also been suggested that chlorophyll can enhance the liver’s ability to remove toxins from the body, although the findings thus far have been limited to animal studies.
Chlorophyll’s cancer-fighting effects have really only been studied in animals or test tubes. One study published in Food Chemistry and Toxicology reported that rainbow trout bred in tanks with liquid chlorophyll had a lower incidence of liver cancer. Whether the same would occur with human use of chlorophyll has yet to be established.
Wound Healing
There is some evidence that chlorophyll, when applied topically (to the skin), can help heal wounds.
The use of chlorophyll for wound-healing dates back to the 1950s. Some healthcare providers still prescribe chlorophyllin— a semi-synthetic mixture of water-soluble sodium copper salts derived from chlorophyll—to promote wound healing and reduce odors associated with open wounds.
Acne and Skin Aging
A 2018 study in the Journal of Clinical Aesthetics and Dermatology concluded that topical chlorophyll was beneficial in people with acne. Despite the positive findings, the results were limited by the small size of the study (24 participants) and the lack of a control group (a group of participants given an inactive placebo).
A 2016 study published in Clinical Cosmetics and Investigational Dermatology inferred that topical chlorophyll has anti-aging properties that may reduce the signs of aging from sun exposure. However, these findings were also limited by the small study size (four women) and the lack of a control group.
Chlorophyll may also haver other skin benefits, though more research is needed.
Chlorophyll Supplements
Nutritional supplements containing chlorophyll are often sourced from wheatgrass, spirulina, barley grass, chlorella, and blue-green algae. They are available in tablet, capsule, and liquid form. Liquid chlorophyll is often actually chlorophyllin.
There is no recommended dose for chlorophyll supplements. As a general rule, do not exceed the dose printed on the product label.
Food Sources
Whether or not you decide to take a chlorophyll supplement, nutritional experts agree that it’s not a bad idea to incorporate vegetables containing chlorophyll into your diet.
Dark-green leafy vegetables are typically rich in chlorophyll, but there are other foods that contain healthy amounts of chlorophyll as well. These include:
Alfalfa Arugula Asparagus Barley grass Basil Broccoli Cilantro Collard greens Green apples Green grapes Hemp seeds Kiwi Matcha tea Parsley Pistachios Seaweed Spinach Spirulina Wheatgrass
Side Effects of Chlorophyll
Though chlorophyll is generally considered to be safe in supplement form, some people may experience mild side effects, particularly when using liquid chlorophyll.
These include:
Green stools Nausea Stomach cramps Diarrhea Vomiting
In addition, liquid chlorophyll supplements can make your skin more sensitive to the sun and increase the risk of sunburn.
Chlorophyll supplements can potentially interfere with certain drugs, so be sure to speak with your healthcare provider before starting chlorophyll supplements.
Safety Considerations
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) does not strictly regulate nutritional supplements. Because of this, the quality of supplements from one manufacturer to the next can vary.
To better ensure safety, opt for brands that have been voluntarily submitted for certification by a third-party authority like U.S. Pharmacopeia (USP), ConsumerLab, or NSF International. Certification doesn’t mean that the supplement works, but it does confirm that the ingredients are pure and present in the amounts listed on the label.
Summary
Chlorophyll is a pigment that gives plants their green color. Chlorophyll has nutritional value when consumed in food but is also thought by some to offer significant health benefits. This includes the treatment of acne, anemia, and constipation, as well as the prevention of liver toxicity, yeast infections, and even cancer. To date, there is little evidence to support any of these claims.
Dark-green leafy vegetables are an excellent source of chlorophyll, but chlorophyll can also be found in other green fruits, herbs, and vegetables. When taken as a supplement, chlorophyll may cause green stools, nausea, diarrhea, and other gastrointestinal side effects.
A Word From Verywell
Chlorophyll should neither be regarded as a substitute for a prescribed medication nor considered inherently safe just because it is “natural.” Even consuming large amounts of chlorophyll in juice form can lead to an upset stomach and diarrhea.
Speak with your doctor before using any nutritional supplement or making drastic changes to your diet.
